1 00:00:08,217 --> 00:00:09,177 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,297 --> 00:00:14,617 Speaker 2: Inspired by the NBC hit series Happy's Place starring country 3 00:00:14,657 --> 00:00:19,476 Speaker 2: music icon Reba McEntire, the official Happy's Place cookbook is 4 00:00:19,557 --> 00:00:23,657 Speaker 2: bringing the television magic to your kitchen. This fan-favorite show, 5 00:00:23,957 --> 00:00:27,677 Speaker 2: centered around Bobby's beloved restaurant and tavern, has inspired over 6 00:00:27,677 --> 00:00:31,107 Speaker 2: 70 recipes to share with family and friends. Join in 7 00:00:31,147 --> 00:00:34,767 Speaker 2: the fun by recreating delicious bites from Happy's Place in 8 00:00:34,787 --> 00:00:38,226 Speaker 2: your own kitchen with with 70 mouth-watering comfort food recipes 9 00:00:38,527 --> 00:00:43,637 Speaker 2: like Emmett's Oven Roasted Ribs, Anniversary Chicken Piccata, Isabella's Croissant 10 00:00:43,797 --> 00:00:47,657 Speaker 2: Bread Pudding, and so much more. The official Happiest Place cookbook, 11 00:00:47,857 --> 00:00:49,257 Speaker 2: available at your favorite retailer. 12 00:00:52,937 --> 00:00:55,517 Speaker 3: Thaddeus has taught me that God has put us all 13 00:00:55,537 --> 00:00:58,117 Speaker 3: on this earth for a reason. That's impacted me in 14 00:00:58,157 --> 00:01:01,417 Speaker 3: a way that I've never experienced before in my career, 15 00:01:01,437 --> 00:01:05,357 Speaker 3: to want to help others that I don't even know yet. 16 00:01:06,987 --> 00:01:10,027 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. This week, we're talking 17 00:01:10,067 --> 00:01:13,307 Speaker 2: with actor Giovanni Cairo, who plays Thaddeus on the popular 18 00:01:13,327 --> 00:01:17,587 Speaker 2: show The Chosen, which premieres their sixth season on November 15th. 19 00:01:18,427 --> 00:01:21,507 Speaker 2: Giovanni shares how he built confidence through acting and how 20 00:01:21,547 --> 00:01:24,347 Speaker 2: playing Thaddeus has transformed the way he views his own 21 00:01:24,397 --> 00:01:27,797 Speaker 2: life and work. Next up, we'll hear from Petra founder 22 00:01:27,857 --> 00:01:31,397 Speaker 2: Bob Hartman and longtime lead singer John Schlitt about the 23 00:01:31,477 --> 00:01:34,567 Speaker 2: unexpected ways God brought them together. the moments when the 24 00:01:34,607 --> 00:01:37,367 Speaker 2: band nearly called it quits, and what has kept Petra 25 00:01:37,387 --> 00:01:41,967 Speaker 2: going for more than five decades. Let's begin with Giovanni Cairo. 26 00:01:50,287 --> 00:01:53,757 Speaker 3: I'm Giovanni Cairo, and I play the disciple Thaddeus on 27 00:01:53,777 --> 00:02:02,097 Speaker 3: the TV series The Chosen. Growing up in an Italian-American 28 00:02:02,157 --> 00:02:06,687 Speaker 3: family in Michigan, I was an only child and my 29 00:02:06,727 --> 00:02:09,587 Speaker 3: mom was one of six kids. So it was a 30 00:02:09,627 --> 00:02:14,267 Speaker 3: pretty big family. Unfortunately, I'm third or fourth generation. So 31 00:02:14,327 --> 00:02:17,936 Speaker 3: the Italian roots in terms of speaking was not carried 32 00:02:18,137 --> 00:02:21,437 Speaker 3: on to me or my cousins. Thankfully, my fiancee, Bella, 33 00:02:21,477 --> 00:02:23,937 Speaker 3: she speaks fluent Italian. She's helping me with that. But 34 00:02:24,577 --> 00:02:27,117 Speaker 3: when I was younger, I had aspirations to be a 35 00:02:27,157 --> 00:02:27,857 Speaker 3: baseball player. 36 00:02:28,017 --> 00:02:29,677 Speaker 1: I loved athletics. 37 00:02:29,857 --> 00:02:30,297 Speaker 4: My mom. 38 00:02:30,777 --> 00:02:35,327 Speaker 3: put me into so many different sports, baseball, football, basketball. 39 00:02:35,967 --> 00:02:38,367 Speaker 1: And I did not get the height gene, unfortunately. 40 00:02:38,587 --> 00:02:41,467 Speaker 3: But I always wanted to play baseball or also be 41 00:02:41,547 --> 00:02:45,507 Speaker 3: in sports journalism. It wasn't really until I went into 42 00:02:45,567 --> 00:02:49,217 Speaker 3: high school. I was, you know, pretty shy kid, I 43 00:02:49,227 --> 00:02:52,797 Speaker 3: would say, entering high school. My mom raised me as 44 00:02:52,857 --> 00:02:55,056 Speaker 3: a single mom. For a lot of my life, I 45 00:02:55,097 --> 00:02:58,557 Speaker 3: never really knew my biological father. And then my stepdad, 46 00:02:58,657 --> 00:03:00,837 Speaker 3: who was in the picture for a few years, ended 47 00:03:00,877 --> 00:03:04,177 Speaker 3: up passing away, unfortunately, in fourth grade. And my mom 48 00:03:04,197 --> 00:03:08,527 Speaker 3: has since remarried, but I had gone without a father 49 00:03:08,567 --> 00:03:13,547 Speaker 3: figure for quite some time. So that really didn't help 50 00:03:13,627 --> 00:03:16,047 Speaker 3: with my confidence. And I had this chip on my 51 00:03:16,107 --> 00:03:19,947 Speaker 3: shoulder for a long stretch of my life. My junior 52 00:03:19,967 --> 00:03:21,827 Speaker 3: year of high school was when we needed a speech 53 00:03:21,877 --> 00:03:26,177 Speaker 3: class to graduate high school. And I was terrified speaking 54 00:03:26,237 --> 00:03:29,097 Speaker 3: in front of people. I was embarrassed of myself in 55 00:03:29,137 --> 00:03:32,417 Speaker 3: front of a group of people, but I always loved films. 56 00:03:33,097 --> 00:03:34,577 Speaker 1: Growing up, I went to the movies a lot with 57 00:03:34,617 --> 00:03:35,237 Speaker 1: my family. 58 00:03:35,277 --> 00:03:38,817 Speaker 3: And I remember coming back home and really trying to 59 00:03:38,917 --> 00:03:41,097 Speaker 3: emulate the characters that I saw on screen. 60 00:03:41,617 --> 00:03:43,617 Speaker 1: I think I always knew I wanted to do something 61 00:03:43,657 --> 00:03:44,157 Speaker 1: with film. 62 00:03:44,237 --> 00:03:46,157 Speaker 3: And my junior year of high school was when I 63 00:03:46,537 --> 00:03:49,467 Speaker 3: went into a radio and television class and we got 64 00:03:49,507 --> 00:03:50,567 Speaker 3: to create our own scripts. 65 00:03:50,637 --> 00:03:53,577 Speaker 1: And act in front of the camera. And it was 66 00:03:54,067 --> 00:03:56,187 Speaker 1: really the first time I had remembered in a long 67 00:03:56,247 --> 00:03:56,787 Speaker 1: time and. 68 00:03:56,787 --> 00:03:59,887 Speaker 3: Felt that I could really express myself, express the feelings 69 00:03:59,927 --> 00:04:04,107 Speaker 3: that I was going through. So growing up, I feel 70 00:04:04,127 --> 00:04:06,707 Speaker 3: like I always wanted to be a part of something 71 00:04:06,727 --> 00:04:07,867 Speaker 3: that was bigger than myself. 72 00:04:08,387 --> 00:04:10,587 Speaker 1: And I always had a want to help people. 73 00:04:11,427 --> 00:04:14,167 Speaker 3: I always wanted to make people feel seen because I 74 00:04:14,227 --> 00:04:16,047 Speaker 3: feel like for a lot of the time in my life. 75 00:04:16,106 --> 00:04:17,817 Speaker 1: I didn't feel seen particularly. 76 00:04:17,827 --> 00:04:22,816 Speaker 3: I while having a lot of low confidence, you know, 77 00:04:22,856 --> 00:04:24,287 Speaker 3: especially after my dad passed. 78 00:04:25,287 --> 00:04:27,106 Speaker 1: And I just always wanted to do that for people. 79 00:04:27,186 --> 00:04:30,567 Speaker 3: And I think through acting, I'm able to connect with 80 00:04:30,626 --> 00:04:32,966 Speaker 3: people on that level. And I hope I can through, 81 00:04:32,986 --> 00:04:42,287 Speaker 3: you know, the characters I portray. I remember graduating from 82 00:04:42,347 --> 00:04:43,126 Speaker 3: Baron Brown. 83 00:04:43,166 --> 00:04:44,107 Speaker 1: It was 2016, I believe. 84 00:04:44,126 --> 00:04:50,197 Speaker 3: And I just wanted to continue acting. acting and I 85 00:04:50,236 --> 00:04:54,087 Speaker 3: was going on any auditions I could. And it was 86 00:04:54,116 --> 00:04:56,046 Speaker 3: hard for me because I was chasing what I wanted 87 00:04:56,066 --> 00:04:58,606 Speaker 3: to do. But when you're a green actor, as they 88 00:04:58,647 --> 00:05:01,087 Speaker 3: say in the industry, you know, inexperienced, you don't get 89 00:05:01,126 --> 00:05:03,407 Speaker 3: a chance to really go out for everything you want. 90 00:05:03,426 --> 00:05:05,486 Speaker 3: So you're basically just trying to get what you can. 91 00:05:05,507 --> 00:05:09,806 Speaker 3: I wasn't finding passion in the work and coming from 92 00:05:09,847 --> 00:05:12,106 Speaker 3: such a big family. It's such a culture shock when 93 00:05:12,137 --> 00:05:14,497 Speaker 3: you move away from home because you're used to seeing 94 00:05:14,537 --> 00:05:17,197 Speaker 3: them every day or at least every week when you're 95 00:05:17,376 --> 00:05:20,176 Speaker 3: taken out of that environment. You miss them like crazy. 96 00:05:20,416 --> 00:05:23,676 Speaker 3: So I was going out for auditions and missing my 97 00:05:23,757 --> 00:05:28,056 Speaker 3: family and really just getting burnt out, working hospitality jobs, 98 00:05:28,097 --> 00:05:31,467 Speaker 3: taking buses to get to my house from work down 99 00:05:31,496 --> 00:05:35,787 Speaker 3: in Santa Monica, sleeping on friends' couches. And after a while, 100 00:05:35,806 --> 00:05:37,567 Speaker 3: you start asking yourself, why am I out here? I'm 101 00:05:37,587 --> 00:05:40,546 Speaker 3: missing all these experiences back at home. And I don't 102 00:05:40,587 --> 00:05:43,986 Speaker 3: feel fulfilled in the work that I'm going out. Why 103 00:05:44,046 --> 00:05:47,496 Speaker 3: am I doing this? You start asking yourself that. And 104 00:05:47,537 --> 00:05:49,677 Speaker 3: I grew up Christian. I had grown up Catholic, but 105 00:05:50,017 --> 00:05:52,537 Speaker 3: I never really had a relationship with Christ. It was more, 106 00:05:52,556 --> 00:05:53,996 Speaker 3: this is just what you do. 107 00:05:54,037 --> 00:05:54,797 Speaker 1: Go to church on. 108 00:05:54,907 --> 00:05:58,696 Speaker 3: Christmas Eve or Christmas day and Easter. And that's really it. 109 00:05:58,707 --> 00:06:02,787 Speaker 3: But I never had a relationship with him. And it 110 00:06:02,887 --> 00:06:07,947 Speaker 3: just hit my heart during this moment of despair and uncertainty. 111 00:06:08,847 --> 00:06:10,736 Speaker 1: And I made a pact with myself. 112 00:06:11,476 --> 00:06:13,137 Speaker 3: I was like, Hey, I'm going to continue to do 113 00:06:13,157 --> 00:06:16,097 Speaker 3: my acting classes, but this is something I really want. 114 00:06:16,277 --> 00:06:20,387 Speaker 3: And I started reading the Bible every day, morning and night, 115 00:06:20,486 --> 00:06:21,806 Speaker 3: even though I didn't know what a lot. 116 00:06:21,707 --> 00:06:22,666 Speaker 1: Of the passages meant. 117 00:06:23,587 --> 00:06:27,526 Speaker 3: And at the same time, I would talk to God 118 00:06:27,566 --> 00:06:29,926 Speaker 3: and pray more. I started getting into prayer more and 119 00:06:29,967 --> 00:06:33,027 Speaker 3: talked to him just like he was a friend. Every 120 00:06:33,066 --> 00:06:36,957 Speaker 3: single day, I would make that pact. And what's crazy 121 00:06:37,046 --> 00:06:40,457 Speaker 3: is six months later is when the audition for The 122 00:06:40,517 --> 00:06:41,856 Speaker 3: Chosen came up. 123 00:06:43,717 --> 00:06:46,476 Speaker 1: And I didn't know what it was. I'd seen biblical projects. 124 00:06:47,556 --> 00:06:50,837 Speaker 3: When I was a kid and nothing really resonated because 125 00:06:50,856 --> 00:06:53,296 Speaker 3: I couldn't relate to Jesus, I couldn't relate to the characters. 126 00:06:53,356 --> 00:06:58,236 Speaker 1: But when I read these people on the pages, I 127 00:06:58,296 --> 00:07:01,787 Speaker 1: related immediately to them. And that doesn't always happen. 128 00:07:01,847 --> 00:07:05,687 Speaker 3: Sometimes you get auditions and two, three pages of procedural 129 00:07:05,746 --> 00:07:07,226 Speaker 3: or something else, and you can't relate to the. 130 00:07:07,207 --> 00:07:09,486 Speaker 1: Characters or the circumstance. But I knew these people. 131 00:07:11,287 --> 00:07:15,367 Speaker 3: And I remember I auditioned for Simon, who's played by 132 00:07:15,387 --> 00:07:20,667 Speaker 3: the wonderful Shahar Isaac. on screen, did three scenes, sent 133 00:07:20,727 --> 00:07:23,087 Speaker 3: it in. I didn't have a reader at the time. 134 00:07:23,127 --> 00:07:25,307 Speaker 3: Everyone was out of town. So I recorded my own 135 00:07:25,367 --> 00:07:28,687 Speaker 3: voice and sent it in for the other characters. And 136 00:07:29,487 --> 00:07:32,897 Speaker 3: I remember getting a call back for Andrew a couple 137 00:07:32,917 --> 00:07:36,277 Speaker 3: of weeks later, and I was shocked. This is really 138 00:07:36,816 --> 00:07:40,057 Speaker 3: crazy how God works. I couldn't make the call back 139 00:07:40,077 --> 00:07:44,237 Speaker 3: because they wanted it in person in Dallas. And I 140 00:07:44,297 --> 00:07:46,737 Speaker 3: couldn't make it I didn't have the finances to go 141 00:07:46,816 --> 00:07:51,206 Speaker 3: out there at the time so I asked casting like 142 00:07:51,767 --> 00:07:53,987 Speaker 3: am I able to to do an audition through zoom 143 00:07:54,047 --> 00:07:56,347 Speaker 3: or a self-tape for the callback and they said we 144 00:07:56,367 --> 00:07:58,147 Speaker 3: don't usually do that but we'll let you know a 145 00:07:59,407 --> 00:08:02,707 Speaker 3: couple weeks went by and usually in our industry that 146 00:08:02,747 --> 00:08:05,807 Speaker 3: means better luck next time but they let me do 147 00:08:05,847 --> 00:08:11,167 Speaker 3: an audition so graciously for Andrew through a self-tape and 148 00:08:11,187 --> 00:08:12,967 Speaker 3: then it was four weeks later I was on a 149 00:08:13,027 --> 00:08:16,877 Speaker 3: Skype call with Dallas our creator and And he said, you. 150 00:08:16,797 --> 00:08:18,857 Speaker 1: Know, we don't know where we're going to place you, 151 00:08:19,287 --> 00:08:20,387 Speaker 1: but we want you aboard. 152 00:08:21,607 --> 00:08:25,527 Speaker 3: And fast forward six months, those things accumulated into what 153 00:08:25,566 --> 00:08:28,607 Speaker 3: would be one of the biggest moments of my life. 154 00:08:29,667 --> 00:08:32,787 Speaker 3: So I'll forever be grateful for that. And it's crazy 155 00:08:32,807 --> 00:08:40,947 Speaker 3: how God works in his timing. It's very important. to 156 00:08:41,007 --> 00:08:44,387 Speaker 3: have God in my creative process to have in my 157 00:08:44,447 --> 00:08:48,487 Speaker 3: life daily. I start my day with him and he 158 00:08:48,507 --> 00:08:52,516 Speaker 3: just grounds me. And I never used to be like that. 159 00:08:52,857 --> 00:08:56,197 Speaker 3: Prior to The Chosen, I always just thought, hey, grind 160 00:08:56,277 --> 00:09:00,457 Speaker 3: as hard as you possibly can and go and get 161 00:09:00,497 --> 00:09:03,697 Speaker 3: what's yours and then go on to the next thing. 162 00:09:04,127 --> 00:09:06,707 Speaker 3: And I think that just leads to a lot of 163 00:09:06,747 --> 00:09:10,507 Speaker 3: loneliness and that leads to a lot of empty validation 164 00:09:11,567 --> 00:09:13,386 Speaker 3: I think that's the best word I can use to 165 00:09:13,427 --> 00:09:16,386 Speaker 3: describe that. I want to be a part of projects 166 00:09:16,447 --> 00:09:19,087 Speaker 3: that have an impact in the way God has had 167 00:09:19,107 --> 00:09:20,047 Speaker 3: an impact on me. 168 00:09:20,937 --> 00:09:24,257 Speaker 1: So I see my work differently now. When I go 169 00:09:24,297 --> 00:09:26,497 Speaker 1: to the cinema or I watch a performance, I want 170 00:09:26,517 --> 00:09:28,677 Speaker 1: to see reflections of myself. And then I want to 171 00:09:28,717 --> 00:09:30,637 Speaker 1: see reflections of people that I know. 172 00:09:30,657 --> 00:09:34,467 Speaker 3: And that's kind of the world we're living in when 173 00:09:34,507 --> 00:09:38,647 Speaker 3: it comes to faith and creativity. Those are the stories 174 00:09:38,687 --> 00:09:42,717 Speaker 3: that we get to tell. And I've been so lucky 175 00:09:43,217 --> 00:09:46,577 Speaker 3: to be a part of that. You know, Thaddeus has 176 00:09:46,597 --> 00:09:49,257 Speaker 3: taught me that God has put us all on this 177 00:09:49,297 --> 00:09:54,787 Speaker 3: earth for a reason. And he's given me the strength 178 00:09:54,827 --> 00:09:56,867 Speaker 3: and kindness that I wish I had given to myself 179 00:09:56,907 --> 00:10:00,247 Speaker 3: when I was younger. He is so willing to say yes, 180 00:10:01,147 --> 00:10:04,727 Speaker 3: and he is so willing to help others and put 181 00:10:04,827 --> 00:10:07,717 Speaker 3: others in front of his needs, in front of his wants. 182 00:10:08,757 --> 00:10:12,537 Speaker 3: That's impacted me in a way that I've never experienced 183 00:10:12,577 --> 00:10:16,307 Speaker 3: before in my career. That's impacted me in a way 184 00:10:16,387 --> 00:10:19,587 Speaker 3: to want to help others that I don't even know yet. 185 00:10:20,667 --> 00:10:22,387 Speaker 3: It's taught me how to be a better person, and 186 00:10:22,427 --> 00:10:24,487 Speaker 3: it's made me trust the process more. 187 00:10:25,157 --> 00:10:30,767 Speaker 1: And surrender more. Jonathan, who plays Jesus so beautifully, Jonathan Rumi, he. 188 00:10:30,687 --> 00:10:34,207 Speaker 3: Talks a lot about surrender, surrendering everything that you have 189 00:10:35,267 --> 00:10:39,227 Speaker 3: and trusting. We just got back from Chosen Con a 190 00:10:39,247 --> 00:10:43,987 Speaker 3: little bit ago in Charlotte, and it was over 5,000 fans, 191 00:10:44,027 --> 00:10:47,657 Speaker 3: I believe, there. And you can see the outpour of 192 00:10:47,737 --> 00:10:51,987 Speaker 3: people that, yes, they love the show, But we get 193 00:10:52,027 --> 00:10:54,947 Speaker 3: messages every day and people in person telling us, hey, 194 00:10:55,007 --> 00:10:56,967 Speaker 3: you've inspired my faith. 195 00:10:57,007 --> 00:10:58,307 Speaker 1: You've reignited my faith. 196 00:10:58,377 --> 00:11:01,857 Speaker 3: You've repaired a relationship I had with a close friend 197 00:11:01,917 --> 00:11:08,717 Speaker 3: or a family member. You saved my life, literally. And 198 00:11:10,757 --> 00:11:15,417 Speaker 3: that is what faith can do. That's what shared faith 199 00:11:15,457 --> 00:11:19,417 Speaker 3: can do. That's intertwining that with every area of your life. 200 00:11:20,697 --> 00:11:23,777 Speaker 1: That's what it does. That's what it's done for me. 201 00:11:24,537 --> 00:11:27,357 Speaker 3: By getting back into the Word and getting back into praying, 202 00:11:27,417 --> 00:11:30,317 Speaker 3: it's given me more than I could ever have imagined. 203 00:11:30,437 --> 00:11:32,297 Speaker 3: It's given me a career. It's given me my wife. 204 00:11:32,377 --> 00:11:35,397 Speaker 3: It's given me better relationships with my family, my friends. 205 00:11:36,377 --> 00:11:38,397 Speaker 3: And it's just made me want to be a better person. 206 00:11:39,017 --> 00:11:41,577 Speaker 1: I think all people really need in this life is 207 00:11:41,597 --> 00:11:42,517 Speaker 1: to be acknowledged. 208 00:11:43,297 --> 00:11:45,517 Speaker 3: And then you pass that acknowledgement to people that you 209 00:11:45,557 --> 00:11:46,497 Speaker 3: come in contact with. 210 00:11:47,577 --> 00:11:48,737 Speaker 1: It's such a valuable thing. 211 00:11:51,217 --> 00:11:53,597 Speaker 2: To learn more about Giovanni Cairo, you can find him 212 00:11:53,637 --> 00:11:55,797 Speaker 2: on social media, and be sure to check out the 213 00:11:55,867 --> 00:11:59,647 Speaker 2: sixth season of The Chosen, airing November 15th on Prime Video. 214 00:12:00,647 --> 00:12:03,547 Speaker 2: Stay tuned to Petra's Bob Hartman and John Schlitt after 215 00:12:03,567 --> 00:12:11,557 Speaker 2: a brief message. In a world that moves so fast, 216 00:12:11,857 --> 00:12:15,037 Speaker 2: the Christmas season can feel overwhelming. But what if you 217 00:12:15,057 --> 00:12:17,777 Speaker 2: could actually find deeper peace at this time of the year? 218 00:12:18,827 --> 00:12:22,807 Speaker 2: Discover the Jesus Calling line of Christmas books, devotionals for 219 00:12:22,907 --> 00:12:25,647 Speaker 2: all ages and stages that guide you to the heart 220 00:12:25,707 --> 00:12:29,877 Speaker 2: of the season. For adults, check out the beautifully illustrated 221 00:12:29,997 --> 00:12:33,797 Speaker 2: Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas, Jesus Calling for Christmas, 222 00:12:34,217 --> 00:12:38,497 Speaker 2: and Jesus Listens Prayers for Every Season. The children in 223 00:12:38,517 --> 00:12:42,307 Speaker 2: your life will love opening Jesus Calling Advent and Christmas Prayers, 224 00:12:42,807 --> 00:12:46,047 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling the Story of Christmas, and the brand new 225 00:12:46,127 --> 00:12:51,147 Speaker 2: seasonally illustrated Jesus Listens for Christmas. Whether you're seeking personal 226 00:12:51,207 --> 00:12:55,157 Speaker 2: renewal or the perfect meaningful gift, these books remind us 227 00:12:55,417 --> 00:12:58,337 Speaker 2: that Christmas isn't about the rush. It's about the peace 228 00:12:58,397 --> 00:13:02,037 Speaker 2: that comes from God's love. Give the gift of quiet moments, 229 00:13:02,397 --> 00:13:06,797 Speaker 2: spiritual comfort, and the true joy of Christmas. Find Jesus 230 00:13:06,837 --> 00:13:11,927 Speaker 2: Calling Christmas Books at your local bookstore or visit amazon.com 231 00:13:12,247 --> 00:13:24,177 Speaker 2: slash jesuscalling. Our next guests are Christian rock band Petra's founder, 232 00:13:24,407 --> 00:13:28,087 Speaker 2: Bob Hartman, and lead singer John Schlitt, who share how 233 00:13:28,127 --> 00:13:31,447 Speaker 2: an unexpected phone call brought John to the band after 234 00:13:31,507 --> 00:13:33,727 Speaker 2: he thought the music chapter of his life was over. 235 00:13:34,227 --> 00:13:37,567 Speaker 2: They reflect on Petra's early struggles, 50 years of music, 236 00:13:37,847 --> 00:13:40,107 Speaker 2: and the message of hope that continues to drive the 237 00:13:40,147 --> 00:13:40,687 Speaker 2: band today. 238 00:13:42,307 --> 00:13:50,887 Speaker 4: I'm Bob Hartman, founder of Petra, principal songwriter, guitarist, sometimes vocalist, 239 00:13:52,857 --> 00:13:56,497 Speaker 4: I started playing guitar when I was 13 years old. 240 00:13:56,957 --> 00:14:00,516 Speaker 4: Thought it'd be cool to learn how to play. I'm 241 00:14:01,577 --> 00:14:05,517 Speaker 4: kind of self-taught from books and so forth. And I 242 00:14:05,877 --> 00:14:09,437 Speaker 4: took my lawn mowing money and bought a Sears acoustic 243 00:14:09,477 --> 00:14:15,987 Speaker 4: guitar and eventually navigated to an electric. And I had 244 00:14:16,057 --> 00:14:21,007 Speaker 4: my first band after... about a year or so, and 245 00:14:21,707 --> 00:14:24,417 Speaker 4: we weren't very good, but I got a little better 246 00:14:24,517 --> 00:14:31,317 Speaker 4: over time. And eventually, in 1972, we were going to 247 00:14:31,497 --> 00:14:36,097 Speaker 4: a two-year Christian Bible school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and 248 00:14:36,137 --> 00:14:40,217 Speaker 4: that's where Petra started, and that's been my life's work 249 00:14:40,417 --> 00:14:41,037 Speaker 4: ever since. 250 00:14:41,997 --> 00:14:45,607 Speaker 5: I'm John Schlitt. I'm the lead singer for Petra. Front Man. 251 00:14:45,627 --> 00:14:49,767 Speaker 5: I've been with Petra for over 40 years. My career 252 00:14:50,227 --> 00:14:53,367 Speaker 5: musical endeavor really started back when I was five years old. 253 00:14:54,047 --> 00:14:56,897 Speaker 5: I realized I could sing. I put that on the 254 00:14:56,937 --> 00:14:59,377 Speaker 5: shelf for a while. A friend of mine decided he 255 00:14:59,397 --> 00:15:01,917 Speaker 5: wanted to play guitar when we were about 15, and 256 00:15:03,337 --> 00:15:04,847 Speaker 5: And I said, well, I want to do that too. 257 00:15:05,467 --> 00:15:10,407 Speaker 5: Joined a band my freshman sophomore summer that later became 258 00:15:10,467 --> 00:15:13,307 Speaker 5: a band called Head East. Long story short, took about 259 00:15:13,387 --> 00:15:16,447 Speaker 5: two years to get things rolling. We did our own album. 260 00:15:17,277 --> 00:15:22,677 Speaker 5: I had a very busy, successful touring time with that 261 00:15:22,777 --> 00:15:26,537 Speaker 5: band for about five years. But the problem with that 262 00:15:26,597 --> 00:15:31,287 Speaker 5: was I got also very involved with backstage toys, better 263 00:15:31,327 --> 00:15:35,597 Speaker 5: known as booze and cocaine. I got fired from the band. 264 00:15:36,377 --> 00:15:40,057 Speaker 5: So my wife and I basically decided Music is gone. 265 00:15:40,277 --> 00:15:43,407 Speaker 5: And I got called twice from different managers saying, well, 266 00:15:43,457 --> 00:15:44,987 Speaker 5: all we need is you and it's going to be 267 00:15:45,007 --> 00:15:48,807 Speaker 5: a big band. And I knew that I couldn't do it. 268 00:15:48,887 --> 00:15:53,147 Speaker 5: So I disconnected my phone, got an unlisted number, became 269 00:15:53,187 --> 00:15:57,387 Speaker 5: a Christian, praise God, and used my degree for five years, 270 00:15:57,827 --> 00:16:00,807 Speaker 5: my engineering degree for five years. And then a man 271 00:16:00,847 --> 00:16:05,027 Speaker 5: named Bob Hartman called me out of the blue and said, 272 00:16:05,047 --> 00:16:06,627 Speaker 5: would you consider singing for Petra? 273 00:16:07,907 --> 00:16:11,937 Speaker 4: A former singer was leaving, and I didn't know what 274 00:16:11,977 --> 00:16:16,957 Speaker 4: we were going to do. And a friend of mine asked, hey, 275 00:16:17,037 --> 00:16:19,437 Speaker 4: is there anything I can do for you? And I said, 276 00:16:19,497 --> 00:16:23,327 Speaker 4: kind of sarcastically, yeah, I'm just a new singer. And 277 00:16:23,367 --> 00:16:27,027 Speaker 4: he said, well, what about John Schlitt? And I thought 278 00:16:27,067 --> 00:16:29,217 Speaker 4: about it, and I said... I didn't even know what 279 00:16:29,257 --> 00:16:32,137 Speaker 4: John was doing. Now, I had heard that John had 280 00:16:32,197 --> 00:16:35,417 Speaker 4: become a Christian and didn't know if he was still 281 00:16:35,457 --> 00:16:40,537 Speaker 4: following Christ. I didn't know anything about his walk, but 282 00:16:41,177 --> 00:16:45,427 Speaker 4: that burned in me. And I had to find out 283 00:16:45,907 --> 00:16:50,227 Speaker 4: because John had all the experience that we needed at 284 00:16:50,427 --> 00:16:53,747 Speaker 4: the time. He had a high voice where he was 285 00:16:53,867 --> 00:16:58,677 Speaker 4: able to sing a lot of our earlier material. And 286 00:16:58,737 --> 00:17:01,957 Speaker 4: I thought, you know what? He might be a fit, 287 00:17:02,077 --> 00:17:04,507 Speaker 4: but I got to find out where he's at. So 288 00:17:05,607 --> 00:17:08,807 Speaker 4: I went out and bought a Head East album and 289 00:17:09,087 --> 00:17:13,067 Speaker 4: looked on it and found that there was a Jeff 290 00:17:13,127 --> 00:17:16,917 Speaker 4: Schlitt listed as part of the road crew. I thought, well, 291 00:17:16,937 --> 00:17:20,357 Speaker 4: that has to be John's brother. Then I called every 292 00:17:20,457 --> 00:17:25,297 Speaker 4: area code for Jeff Schlitt and got a hit. I said, 293 00:17:26,097 --> 00:17:32,157 Speaker 4: are you John Schlitt's brother? He said, yeah. And I said, well, 294 00:17:32,257 --> 00:17:35,437 Speaker 4: this is Bob Hartman. I'm with Petra. And I'd like 295 00:17:35,477 --> 00:17:37,797 Speaker 4: to talk to John. And he said, well, John's not 296 00:17:37,857 --> 00:17:41,797 Speaker 4: in music anymore. He was very protective of his brother. 297 00:17:42,317 --> 00:17:45,196 Speaker 4: And I said, well, I think he might want to 298 00:17:45,257 --> 00:17:49,087 Speaker 4: talk to me. If you could tell him that I called. 299 00:17:49,587 --> 00:17:52,486 Speaker 4: And he said, well, I guess I could write him 300 00:17:52,547 --> 00:17:55,847 Speaker 4: and tell him. I said, well, I would appreciate it. 301 00:17:55,847 --> 00:17:58,547 Speaker 4: Of course, I was jumping out of my seat. I 302 00:17:58,587 --> 00:18:00,307 Speaker 4: would appreciate it if you'd call. 303 00:18:00,107 --> 00:18:01,187 Speaker 5: Him up and tell him. 304 00:18:02,207 --> 00:18:06,037 Speaker 4: And within 30 minutes, John and I were on the phone. 305 00:18:08,037 --> 00:18:11,317 Speaker 5: I recognized Bob's name right away, although I will tell you, 306 00:18:12,137 --> 00:18:15,107 Speaker 5: I thought somebody was playing a joke on me for 307 00:18:15,127 --> 00:18:17,027 Speaker 5: a while. But when I heard Bob, I go, yep, 308 00:18:17,407 --> 00:18:18,246 Speaker 5: that's Bob Werman. 309 00:18:18,287 --> 00:18:18,627 Speaker 4: Yeah. 310 00:18:19,347 --> 00:18:21,767 Speaker 5: And when he said, are you still Christian? I said, 311 00:18:21,807 --> 00:18:27,397 Speaker 5: I'm a heavy duty Christian. And he goes, OK. He says, well, 312 00:18:27,417 --> 00:18:32,917 Speaker 5: here's what's happened. Greg is leaving the band. I said, OK. 313 00:18:33,517 --> 00:18:36,956 Speaker 5: He said, I want you. Would you consider singing for Petra? 314 00:18:37,357 --> 00:18:40,696 Speaker 5: And of course, me being the energetic type of guy. Yeah, 315 00:18:40,737 --> 00:18:44,067 Speaker 5: let's do it. And that's when Bob said you should 316 00:18:44,087 --> 00:18:46,567 Speaker 5: pray about it. But there have been some other stuff 317 00:18:46,607 --> 00:18:49,927 Speaker 5: coming up before that that had really led me in 318 00:18:49,947 --> 00:18:53,087 Speaker 5: a roundabout way. This wasn't a surprise. It was like 319 00:18:53,307 --> 00:18:57,737 Speaker 5: through prophets, through word of knowledge, people were saying there's 320 00:18:57,797 --> 00:19:02,407 Speaker 5: a big change in your life coming up. And yeah, 321 00:19:02,487 --> 00:19:05,907 Speaker 5: no kidding. So it was quite an adventure that day. 322 00:19:06,087 --> 00:19:09,756 Speaker 5: And we left going, OK, I'll pray about it. This 323 00:19:09,797 --> 00:19:12,037 Speaker 5: was a major decision. I mean, getting a new singer 324 00:19:12,557 --> 00:19:16,077 Speaker 5: after the old singer, which is amazing. He's a great 325 00:19:16,157 --> 00:19:20,057 Speaker 5: singer to come in and try to replace him or, 326 00:19:20,457 --> 00:19:23,337 Speaker 5: you know, go to that next level. That's a pretty 327 00:19:23,377 --> 00:19:26,417 Speaker 5: major deal. So it was God. It was God all 328 00:19:26,577 --> 00:19:29,637 Speaker 5: in the whole thing. And it's just exciting to go 329 00:19:29,657 --> 00:19:30,417 Speaker 5: through that adventure. 330 00:19:31,677 --> 00:19:35,197 Speaker 4: And from my perspective, I didn't know what I was 331 00:19:35,257 --> 00:19:39,037 Speaker 4: going to do. hear when I talked to John. When 332 00:19:39,057 --> 00:19:44,127 Speaker 4: you cold call somebody like that, it's really unexpected. But 333 00:19:44,647 --> 00:19:49,447 Speaker 4: later on, we saw that God had prepared John and 334 00:19:50,067 --> 00:19:53,867 Speaker 4: it was a total God thing. And that was what 335 00:19:53,967 --> 00:19:58,377 Speaker 4: was most exciting about it. We went up and we 336 00:19:58,457 --> 00:20:04,567 Speaker 4: said to God, is this the guy? And everything seemed right. 337 00:20:05,107 --> 00:20:07,567 Speaker 4: So we said, okay, let's do it. 338 00:20:13,847 --> 00:20:16,627 Speaker 5: So when I got to join the band, there was 339 00:20:16,687 --> 00:20:19,337 Speaker 5: a period of about a year or so that we 340 00:20:19,357 --> 00:20:21,417 Speaker 5: were on a downhill slide. I mean, we had to 341 00:20:21,477 --> 00:20:25,217 Speaker 5: prove ourselves every show we did. I think the first 342 00:20:25,237 --> 00:20:28,206 Speaker 5: show we did was in Brisbane, Australia. Blew my throat out. 343 00:20:28,707 --> 00:20:30,206 Speaker 5: I thought for sure I was going to get fired 344 00:20:30,467 --> 00:20:33,797 Speaker 5: from that tour. But they stuck with me. There was 345 00:20:33,837 --> 00:20:36,217 Speaker 5: a time actually where we all had to sit down 346 00:20:36,257 --> 00:20:37,967 Speaker 5: and decide whether we were going to keep the van 347 00:20:38,007 --> 00:20:42,627 Speaker 5: going or not. And so after that time period of 348 00:20:42,667 --> 00:20:44,987 Speaker 5: basically saying, yes, let's keep the van, but we've got 349 00:20:45,007 --> 00:20:49,027 Speaker 5: to be available. There was a period where all of 350 00:20:49,097 --> 00:20:52,157 Speaker 5: a sudden, I think right during the beginning of This 351 00:20:52,237 --> 00:20:58,497 Speaker 5: Means War, it just exploded. And I knew then that 352 00:20:58,557 --> 00:21:00,867 Speaker 5: it was the move we were supposed to make. And 353 00:21:00,887 --> 00:21:03,766 Speaker 5: it was going to be an exciting time. That was 354 00:21:03,827 --> 00:21:07,186 Speaker 5: the first time. That was the first peak of a 355 00:21:07,247 --> 00:21:11,206 Speaker 5: roller coaster ride. This means war. And then Pepper Praise won. 356 00:21:11,267 --> 00:21:15,147 Speaker 5: And then Beyond Belief. That whole period was just an 357 00:21:15,227 --> 00:21:20,807 Speaker 5: exploding adventure. But even now with our latest album, Hope, 358 00:21:21,787 --> 00:21:24,107 Speaker 5: I think Bob and I basically sit down and go, wow. 359 00:21:24,907 --> 00:21:30,347 Speaker 5: It's so cool to see how God works. uses this band. 360 00:21:31,147 --> 00:21:33,686 Speaker 5: And we are so blessed to still be able to 361 00:21:33,747 --> 00:21:38,007 Speaker 5: do it and to see that our attempts matter, you know, 362 00:21:38,407 --> 00:21:41,827 Speaker 5: that we are able to use music to bring across 363 00:21:41,947 --> 00:21:43,627 Speaker 5: a message that changes lives. 364 00:21:45,467 --> 00:21:49,187 Speaker 4: John and I, for a while, got back together to 365 00:21:49,207 --> 00:21:56,067 Speaker 4: do a show every now and then until I realized, hey, 366 00:21:56,577 --> 00:21:59,847 Speaker 4: it's going to be 50 years here Maybe we ought 367 00:21:59,887 --> 00:22:04,507 Speaker 4: to do something to celebrate. So we thought, well, maybe 368 00:22:04,607 --> 00:22:07,657 Speaker 4: one or two places would want to have Petra and 369 00:22:08,237 --> 00:22:14,577 Speaker 4: have a 50th anniversary concert or something. And found out 370 00:22:14,637 --> 00:22:18,397 Speaker 4: that a lot more than a couple wanted to see that. 371 00:22:18,937 --> 00:22:22,167 Speaker 4: Because when we go out now, we have people come 372 00:22:22,247 --> 00:22:26,007 Speaker 4: up to us every concert and they tell us their story, 373 00:22:26,107 --> 00:22:27,687 Speaker 4: their Petra story. 374 00:22:28,917 --> 00:22:32,017 Speaker 5: What guided us this time was we did that three 375 00:22:32,057 --> 00:22:36,457 Speaker 5: years of the 50th anniversary, and through that, we talked 376 00:22:36,497 --> 00:22:39,577 Speaker 5: to a lot of fans. Our meet and greets sometimes 377 00:22:39,597 --> 00:22:43,607 Speaker 5: were longer than our concerts, and they'd mention songs, boy, 378 00:22:43,647 --> 00:22:46,547 Speaker 5: we love this song, we love that song, and we're 379 00:22:46,587 --> 00:22:51,167 Speaker 5: sort of able to zero into different stages of Petra's music. 380 00:22:51,547 --> 00:22:54,007 Speaker 5: This time, you'll notice that there's a lot of different 381 00:22:54,487 --> 00:22:57,927 Speaker 5: taste of the history of Petra in the album, and 382 00:22:57,987 --> 00:23:00,907 Speaker 5: I'm Pretty excited about it. Very glad that we were 383 00:23:00,947 --> 00:23:03,997 Speaker 5: able to do that. And that goes with Bob. Bob 384 00:23:04,197 --> 00:23:07,337 Speaker 5: is an amazing writer. The fact that he was able, 385 00:23:07,397 --> 00:23:09,537 Speaker 5: after 20 years, to come back into the groove of 386 00:23:09,597 --> 00:23:14,367 Speaker 5: it was, I'll be honest, a miracle to me. I 387 00:23:14,417 --> 00:23:16,327 Speaker 5: knew that the only way Petra could do an album, 388 00:23:16,647 --> 00:23:18,907 Speaker 5: and it'd be sincerely a Petra album, is Bob did 389 00:23:18,927 --> 00:23:22,847 Speaker 5: the writing. We didn't count on doing more than maybe 390 00:23:23,107 --> 00:23:27,216 Speaker 5: six shows all over the world. All of a sudden, 391 00:23:27,417 --> 00:23:31,466 Speaker 5: six shows turned into three years worth of shows. And 392 00:23:31,587 --> 00:23:33,587 Speaker 5: like Bob said, we get to talk to people and 393 00:23:33,627 --> 00:23:37,147 Speaker 5: their testimonies are amazing. And we still shake our heads. 394 00:23:37,227 --> 00:23:40,347 Speaker 5: I mean, it's still very humbling to see that God 395 00:23:40,407 --> 00:23:44,207 Speaker 5: has taken a joy that we love doing what we do. 396 00:23:45,187 --> 00:23:48,186 Speaker 5: As a singer, it was very much a blessing to 397 00:23:48,227 --> 00:23:52,027 Speaker 5: be able to sing these amazing songs that had more 398 00:23:52,067 --> 00:23:55,537 Speaker 5: than just entertainment. They had messages that changed lives. And 399 00:23:55,557 --> 00:23:57,577 Speaker 5: that's what I wanted to do. When I got back 400 00:23:57,617 --> 00:24:02,107 Speaker 5: in music, when Bob called and said, it was exactly 401 00:24:02,167 --> 00:24:06,087 Speaker 5: what I knew I was supposed to do. And use 402 00:24:06,607 --> 00:24:09,967 Speaker 5: and be able to be a tool for Christ with 403 00:24:10,067 --> 00:24:12,647 Speaker 5: the skill that he gave me, with the blessings he 404 00:24:12,667 --> 00:24:14,727 Speaker 5: gave me. And I haven't regretted a minute of it. 405 00:24:15,297 --> 00:24:17,737 Speaker 5: My wife would always say, John, God's not a God 406 00:24:17,757 --> 00:24:21,197 Speaker 5: of waste. God's not a God of waste. You've got 407 00:24:21,237 --> 00:24:25,686 Speaker 5: a voice. You've got skill. You're a professional musician. I 408 00:24:25,747 --> 00:24:30,077 Speaker 5: still believe something's going to happen. And when the member 409 00:24:30,117 --> 00:24:32,537 Speaker 5: of the biggest Christian rock band in the world calls you, 410 00:24:32,557 --> 00:24:41,196 Speaker 5: you go, okay, that must be it. We have a 411 00:24:41,217 --> 00:24:44,317 Speaker 5: new album out. It's called Hope. It's the first record 412 00:24:44,357 --> 00:24:47,657 Speaker 5: that we recorded in the studio in 20 years. 413 00:24:48,737 --> 00:24:52,726 Speaker 4: For me, the Bible says, Christ who is our hope. 414 00:24:53,247 --> 00:24:58,847 Speaker 4: And That is the message of Petra, is that there 415 00:24:59,047 --> 00:25:02,767 Speaker 4: is hope in Jesus Christ. There are so many people 416 00:25:02,827 --> 00:25:07,407 Speaker 4: today who don't have hope. In fact, Paul said in 417 00:25:07,427 --> 00:25:13,267 Speaker 4: the scriptures before we met Christ, we were without hope, 418 00:25:13,797 --> 00:25:18,317 Speaker 4: without God, and in the world. And there's no worse 419 00:25:18,397 --> 00:25:21,137 Speaker 4: place a person can be. And yet there are so 420 00:25:21,197 --> 00:25:25,857 Speaker 4: many today that find themselves in that spot. So we 421 00:25:25,957 --> 00:25:55,887 Speaker 4: hope that hope on the album brings hope. I can 422 00:25:55,977 --> 00:26:00,127 Speaker 4: see as I look back how God put me in 423 00:26:00,187 --> 00:26:03,867 Speaker 4: the places he wanted me to be. I didn't know 424 00:26:03,927 --> 00:26:08,937 Speaker 4: for sure at the time, but looking back, I can 425 00:26:09,077 --> 00:26:14,397 Speaker 4: see the hand of God and how he directed everything 426 00:26:14,417 --> 00:26:18,936 Speaker 4: that has led to where we are today. And that is, 427 00:26:18,957 --> 00:26:23,647 Speaker 4: of course, according to the beliefs that God has a 428 00:26:23,727 --> 00:26:27,897 Speaker 4: plan for our lives. And I think that's a belief 429 00:26:27,927 --> 00:26:34,057 Speaker 4: that maybe not everyone realizes today. But I believe that 430 00:26:34,457 --> 00:26:37,437 Speaker 4: the steps of a righteous man are ordered unto God, 431 00:26:37,457 --> 00:26:41,256 Speaker 4: that in all our ways, if we acknowledge him, he 432 00:26:41,297 --> 00:26:46,696 Speaker 4: will direct our path. And that's what I see God 433 00:26:46,737 --> 00:26:51,437 Speaker 4: has done with my life and with Petra all these years. 434 00:26:53,257 --> 00:26:56,007 Speaker 5: God has a plan for us. even when we blow it, 435 00:26:56,587 --> 00:26:59,507 Speaker 5: which we do because we're human, His blood was shed 436 00:26:59,577 --> 00:27:03,837 Speaker 5: for us. We have that second chance every day. And 437 00:27:03,917 --> 00:27:06,957 Speaker 5: as we walk our walk, we realize that we don't 438 00:27:06,997 --> 00:27:10,677 Speaker 5: have to ever do it alone and that we're a team, 439 00:27:11,377 --> 00:27:14,677 Speaker 5: God and us. We're just a team that He chooses, 440 00:27:14,737 --> 00:27:18,837 Speaker 5: He guides us. And if we're wise, we choose His direction. 441 00:27:18,917 --> 00:27:21,377 Speaker 5: If we're not, we don't, and we regret it later. 442 00:27:22,137 --> 00:27:25,407 Speaker 5: A lot of times, especially on stage, I say, why 443 00:27:25,527 --> 00:27:28,227 Speaker 5: are you trying to do it on your own when 444 00:27:28,247 --> 00:27:30,907 Speaker 5: you've got the God of the universe that has a 445 00:27:31,007 --> 00:27:34,387 Speaker 5: perfect plan for you before the beginning of time? You 446 00:27:34,467 --> 00:27:35,976 Speaker 5: choose it. You will not regret it. 447 00:27:38,377 --> 00:27:44,077 Speaker 4: This is Jesus Listens, July 22nd. Dear Jesus, help me 448 00:27:44,117 --> 00:27:48,337 Speaker 4: keep climbing this high mountain with you. Sometimes I look 449 00:27:48,377 --> 00:27:52,477 Speaker 4: back nostalgically at a long ago stage of my journey, 450 00:27:53,037 --> 00:27:57,807 Speaker 4: yearning for that easier, less complicated time, but I've come 451 00:27:57,867 --> 00:28:01,506 Speaker 4: to recognize it for what it was, a base camp. 452 00:28:01,867 --> 00:28:05,047 Speaker 4: It was a time and a place of preparation for 453 00:28:05,087 --> 00:28:10,027 Speaker 4: the arduous adventure that was ahead of me. This mountain 454 00:28:10,087 --> 00:28:14,137 Speaker 4: that I'm climbing is exceedingly tall. The top of it 455 00:28:14,597 --> 00:28:18,337 Speaker 4: is hidden in clouds, so it's impossible for me to 456 00:28:18,397 --> 00:28:21,677 Speaker 4: know how far up the heights I've already come and 457 00:28:21,757 --> 00:28:23,877 Speaker 4: how far I have yet to go. 458 00:28:25,677 --> 00:28:28,527 Speaker 5: However, the higher I go, the better view I have. 459 00:28:29,067 --> 00:28:32,716 Speaker 5: Although each day is a challenge and I often feel weary, 460 00:28:33,197 --> 00:28:37,227 Speaker 5: I can still enjoy the magnificent scenery. The journey with 461 00:28:37,267 --> 00:28:40,307 Speaker 5: you is endless. training me to see from a heavenly 462 00:28:40,627 --> 00:28:46,207 Speaker 5: perspective that transcends my circumstances. The higher up this mountain 463 00:28:46,287 --> 00:28:50,187 Speaker 5: I climb, the steeper and more challenging the trail becomes, 464 00:28:50,747 --> 00:28:54,647 Speaker 5: but the greater my adventure as well. Please keep reminding 465 00:28:54,667 --> 00:28:57,307 Speaker 5: me that the higher I go with you, the closer 466 00:28:57,347 --> 00:29:01,267 Speaker 5: I get to my ultimate goal, the heights of heaven 467 00:29:01,897 --> 00:29:06,357 Speaker 5: and eternity with you. In your breathtaking name, amen. 468 00:29:08,757 --> 00:29:11,457 Speaker 2: To learn more about Bob Hartman, John Schlitt, and Petra, 469 00:29:11,757 --> 00:29:16,287 Speaker 2: visit PetraBand.com. And be sure to check out their latest album, Hope, 470 00:29:16,787 --> 00:29:20,887 Speaker 2: and the Angel Studios film, Beyond Belief, featuring music from Petra. 471 00:29:22,597 --> 00:29:24,697 Speaker 2: If you'd like to hear more stories about creating art 472 00:29:24,757 --> 00:29:33,587 Speaker 2: that matters, check out our interview with Michael Iskender. Next 473 00:29:33,627 --> 00:29:36,117 Speaker 2: time on the Jesus Calling podcast, we'll hear from Dr. 474 00:29:36,157 --> 00:29:39,497 Speaker 2: David Downing, a C.S. Lewis scholar who shares how Lewis's 475 00:29:39,537 --> 00:29:42,947 Speaker 2: writing helped him wrestle with difficult questions about Christianity and 476 00:29:43,007 --> 00:29:44,907 Speaker 2: deepen his understanding of the truth. 477 00:29:46,197 --> 00:29:49,497 Speaker 6: I've read the Narnia Chronicles at least 20 times, and 478 00:29:49,677 --> 00:29:55,477 Speaker 6: they always, for me, just re-energize biblical principles in new ways. 479 00:29:55,597 --> 00:29:59,337 Speaker 6: They take what had been the old wineskins of spiritual 480 00:29:59,357 --> 00:30:01,457 Speaker 6: cliches and put new wine into them. 481 00:30:10,807 --> 00:30:13,287 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 482 00:30:13,327 --> 00:30:17,187 Speaker 2: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week we'll bring 483 00:30:17,207 --> 00:30:19,767 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 484 00:30:20,227 --> 00:30:23,807 Speaker 2: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 485 00:30:24,707 --> 00:30:28,057 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 486 00:30:28,097 --> 00:30:31,397 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts. And leave us a review 487 00:30:31,457 --> 00:30:35,617 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 488 00:30:35,957 --> 00:30:39,407 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement, resources, and more on the Jesus 489 00:30:39,427 --> 00:30:40,187 Speaker 2: Calling website