Make Life Matter

Today I’m sitting down with Brock Heasley, the writer and director of the brand-new film from Angel Studios - The Shift. We talk about this unique science fiction- romance inspired by the book of Job and Brock’s own story of faith, hope in grief, and staying true to your calling. Tickets at angel.com

Are you concerned about raising children and grandchildren in today’s cultural climate? How can prayer release heaven on earth? Sharon Jaynes helps us know how to use the words of Scripture to prayer powerfully and purposefully over our children. Sharon Jaynes, an international speaker and the bestselling author of twenty-five books with nearly one million sold, is a powerful voice in the global faith community.

How do we hold onto our faith through pain and suffering? Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a hope concierge! Whether as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope-Filled Perspective, or the author of several award-winning books, her passion is to share hope and encouragement with others. Her newest release is The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms. DrMichelleB.com

Julie Seals left her life as a drug addict and dealer behind and now inspires and challenges people from all walks of life to encounter, know, and live for Jesus. The author of All My Hope – A Prisoner No More, she co-founded Her Hope Recovery Ministry in 2022. Julie is married to prison chaplain, Mike Seals.

Steve Jamison grew up fishing the treacherous waters off the coast of Alaska, which was both thrilling and full of adventure. It was in the thick of these adventures when he heard the voice of God for the first time, calling him into ministry, and realized there’s no greater thrill than discovering God’s calling on your life. Through his new book, The Most Valuable Catch: Risking It All For What Matters the Most, pastor of Eastridge Church in Seattle, Washington, Steve Jamison, helps us know how to hear God’s voice and find our purpose.

Without sugarcoating or ignoring the darkness of our world, former national sportscaster and speaker Rachel Joy Baribeau shows us how to chase, find, and keep the joy in life—especially when it’s hard-won—in her new book, Relentless Joy: Finding Freedom, Passion, and Happiness (Even When You Have to Fight for It), Rachel talks candidly about the difference between isolation and solitude, the importance of reconciliation for joy, and how she overcame challenges with mental health to fight for relentless joy.

What is your “thing”? Surely there is a better way to view it than through a lens of striving and worldly achievement. Rebecca George is the founder of Radical Radiance, a podcast community where listeners are equipped to blend what they love with the Jesus who makes them shine. In her new book, Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl, Rebecca helps us see our gifts and talents from a gospel-centered perspective, prioritize goals related to our calling, and overcome negative thought patterns.

What does it mean to be blessed? Are Christians entitled to happiness, fulfillment, and perfect peace? Amanda Held Opelt is a songwriter, speaker, and writer, and in her new book, Holy Unhappiness: God, Goodness, and the Myth of the Blessed Life, she explores these questions, challenges false teaching, and helps us reimagine what the “blessed” life can be like if we release some of our expectations and seek God in places we never thought to look.

How do we continue to live our lives with purpose when things don’t look the way we thought they should? Grace Wabuke Klein fled persecution in Uganda as a young child and later walked through a long, winter season and learned to wait on God. In Flourish: Finding Purpose in the Unknown and Unexpected Seasons of Life, Grace shares her heart’s desire for us to recognize the hand of God in our lives and trust Him in the process.