The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast

Former New York City ballet dancer, Silas Farley, first learned about dance in the context of worship at his church—a perspective that would stick with him through grueling training at the School of American Ballet and through his professional career. Silas shares the nerve-wracking story of taking a leap of faith towards dance over other paths, how he got to see a unique and beautiful dream come to life on stage and help others realize their dreams too, and how he got to embody his love for the Lord through movement. 

Quotes

“My first encounter with dance was dance as worship, not dance as performance, and that really resonated with me.” - Silas Farley

“Getting to dance in the New York City Ballet was like someone who wanted to be an astronaut and actually got to go to the moon. The days were long, hard, and deeply rewarding, beginning with morning classes, rehearsing all day, and then performing most nights of most weeks of the year. That pace of work was relentless, but it was also deeply gratifying.” - Silas Farley 

“It was kind of an embodied form of prayer to get to come into the theater and to work in this beautifully embodied art form and to do it for the glory of my King Jesus—kind of offering to the Lord through performing and working. I feel incredibly close to God when I dance.” - Silas Farley

“I always think about how Jesus is God made man, that He is the incarnation of God. He has a body, and in His resurrection, He shows us the glorious potential and future for the body.” - Silas Farley

“In my final year in the company, there were more dancers of color than had ever been in the history of the company. That felt really, really special and really significant—a beautiful shift in the evolution of the art form. I thought it a great privilege and joy to be at the New York City Ballet at a point in the institution's story when part of that original vision was starting to be realized.” - Silas Farley 

“I hope I get to spend the rest of my life dancing, laughing, singing, and thanking God for His great, great grace and love.” - Silas Farley

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Southern Methodist University

New York City Ballet

George Balanchine

Patricia McBride

School of American Ballet

Professional Children's School

Harvard University

Lincoln Kirstein

Colburn School

Cassia Farley

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

When Steve Jamison was growing up, he got the adventure of a lifetime out at sea with his dad, a commercial fisherman. The lessons he learned as a member of a halibut fishing crew in Alaska would stick with him throughout his life, and it’s that perseverance, dedication, and determination that led Steve to become a pastor. 

Quotes

“My dad would always take me into his state room where you would see the charts, and he would always remind me that we're going to sea because this is how God provides for our family. It's a very dangerous profession, and he would say, ‘Let's just reach up here and put our hands on this chart where we're going to go and ask God to watch over us. Let's ask God to provide for our family and let's ask God to bring us home safe.’” - Steve Jamison

“Being able to have that opportunity to grow up out on the ocean in the situations of life, [my dad] just gave me a living example of what the Word was all about, and I will never forget it.” - Steve Jamison

“[God] had just called me to be faithful. He had just called me to trust Him and to redirect my path and follow what He had for me. And the truth is, God had so much more than I could have imagined.” - Steve Jamison

“When it's difficult, when it's painful, when you want to quit, you just say, ‘Lord, I just need you to help me through this.’ With God's help, you can press through and you can see amazing miracles and amazing blessings in your life.” - Steve Jamison

“God put His hand upon my life, and yet, I was a lot like Jonah for a period of time. I just wanted to go the opposite direction. I can tell you myself, like Jonah, our plans are nothing compared to how great the plans are that God has for us.” - Steve Jamison

Guest’s Links Steve Jamison’s website

Steve Jamison’s Instagram

Steve Jamison’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Eastridge Church

The Most Valuable Catch by Steve Jamison

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Colton Dixon, a Christian singer-songwriter, reflects on his time with American Idol and the grueling tour schedule that followed. Facing the challenges of balancing a career, family, and a relationship with God, he shares how he had to prioritize what mattered most and how his faith grew in the process. 

Quotes

“It was in that moment that I knew that we had a decision to make. It's faith or fear—boiled down as simple as that. Do we believe that God is who He says He is and who He's proved Himself to be during the course of my relationship with Him, or do I give in to fear?” - Colton Dixon 

“I have this hope, I have this light to cling on to—no matter how dark the world gets, no matter how crazy it gets, I believe that God is that light that we can always count on.” - Colton Dixon 

“It's something that you have to be cognizant of and constantly just shift your focus, reprioritize, and keep your eyes on Jesus.” - Colton Dixon

“When you look to Jesus and you lay everything at His feet, everything kind of just falls into place.” - Colton Dixon

“If you truly want to be better and you want to grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord, then I think maybe you might have to sacrifice some things—not because God wants to take away things from you, He just wants to get the best thing to you.” - Colton Dixon 

Guest’s Links Colton Dixon’s Facebook

Colton Dixon’s Instagram

Colton Dixon’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe

American Idol

“Hakuna Matata” 

“I Just Can't Wait To Be King”

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Singer/songwriter Aaron Shust has traveled all over the world singing messages of hope and love to his audiences. Time and time again, Aaron’s been moved by the gentle peace he’s been able to extend to his listeners when they sing his songs, as he’s experienced that all-encompassing “capital P” peace that comes from God during the hardest times in his life. 

Quotes

“We're not just singing about a thing, we're singing to the living God who inhabits high praises.” - Aaron Shust 

“I'll never forget that emotion of remembering that our children belong to God in the same way that we belong to God.” - Aaron Shust

“I feel like God gave myself and my wife the gift of faith that even in the face of the unexplainable or the unforeseen future, we trust that God is sovereign, that He's in control, that He's good.” - Aaron Shust

Guest’s Links Aaron Shust’s website

Aaron Shust’s Facebook

Aaron Shust’s Instagram

Resources Mentioned in This Episode “My Savior, My God”

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Carlos Whittaker’s mission is to bring hope to humans all over the world. Growing up, Carlos watched his Panamanian, Afro-Latino father unite the diverse people of his neighborhood under one roof: his church. As an author, podcaster, and global speaker, Carlos’ wishes to follow his father’s legacy as he creates safe spaces for people—all people—so they may feel seen and understood.  

Quotes

“I think there's things to celebrate about how God made me a little bit different.” - Carlos Whittaker

“I just think about how many times we don't even remember that Jesus saved us because of some of the ways that we're acting. He still chooses us. He still loves us. He still pursues us.” - Carlos Whittaker 

“We have got to drastically lower the volume of life in order for whatever God has been telling us to do to finally start coming through.” - Carlos Whittaker

“Jesus is telling me through the scripture, ‘Carlos, you're not talking to them. You're not performing. You're talking to me in a normal way. So talk to me as if I'm the person that you say I am and don't talk to me as if you're giving me a speech.’” - Carlos Whittaker

Guest’s Links Carlos’ Instagram

Carlos’ Facebook

Carlos’ Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Primera Iglesia Bautista en Pico Rivera

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Growing up watching his grandfather’s passion for motorsports, Bryce Kenny knew he wanted to one day experience that life for himself. But after making a go of it—unsuccessfully—he realized that his dream was slipping away. But what he never could have imagined was that God would reshape his dream and bring it to life in a way that would exceed anything he would have ever thought possible. 

Quotes

“When I started getting really beat down in my pursuit of the things that I wanted to do, and the failures, and having to learn all those tough lessons that everyone is going to go through—it empowered me to believe that I could get through anything, that there's nothing that was going to be so hard and so difficult that it would take me out of the race.” - Bryce Kenny

“If we've got the courage to move forward, the humility to continue to pray through it, then God will resurrect our dream into something beyond what we could have even imagined to begin with.” - Bryce Kenny

“I can't expect God to work and then question the way in which He's working in my life.” - Bryce Kenny 

“I am just so thankful that we can go to the Father and He loves us that much that He gave us the Holy Spirit to counsel, to educate us, to give us wisdom in situations, and to prepare our way. I can think of no greater love than that gift.” - Bryce Kenny

“Whatever chapter of life that we find ourselves in—whether we're in the birth stage of a dream, the death stage of a dream, or the resurrection stage of our personal dream—our story that we're in is really just a part of a much greater and bigger story, because in the end, Jesus wins.” - Bryce Kenny 

Guest’s Links Bryce’s website

Bryce’s Facebook

Bryce’s Instagram

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Great Clips Mohawk Warrior Monster Jam truck

Monster Jam

Monster Jam University

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Illustrator and activist Danielle Coke Balfour, is dedicated to delving deep into fostering greater empathy, kindness, and compassion for one another. Through her eloquent words and captivating illustrations, she skillfully draws attention to places we can be doing good in the world, even in small ways–because any step towards positive change makes a difference. 

Quotes

“I view art as a means to an end. I think my overarching goal is to share these concepts of justice, equality, and empathy in a way that will help it land for the everyday person.” - Danielle Coke Balfour 

“People tend to disqualify themselves when conversations get a little bit more tricky, a little bit more heavy, or have a lot more implications. I think our natural bend often is to say, ‘I'm leaving it for the people who dedicate their whole lives to this or have degrees in this.’ We fail to realize that a lot of the responsibility lies on us in the way we live our day-to-day lives.” - Danielle Coke Balfour

“I think the key for widespread change is each individual person recognizing that they have a part to play in the larger story of justice, empathy, equality, and love.” - Danielle Coke Balfour 

“The conversations around the dinner table matter so much because these are the people we do life with. We want to align as much as we can with the people in our lives with these ideas because it's the way we spread good and the way we make change.” - Danielle Coke Balfour 

“I want people to understand that when you choose to not just do good deeds, but to really embody the values that matter the most to you, you're reaching people that I will never reach.” - Danielle Coke Balfour

“I truly believe that remembering God's love for us frees us from the grasp of perfectionism and is a reminder that whether I do this or not, whether I finish this to-do list or not, whether I have this conversation perfectly or not, I am loved—period.” - Danielle Coke Balfour

Guest’s Links Danielle’s website

Danielle’s Facebook

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Pastor and professor Dr. Robert Smith Jr. knows this: that what really matters in life is not the awards or accolades or titles we may have achieved, but it is the fact that our identity rests in Christ—something that will transcend time. He wishes for us to be known by the way we love one another, and shares how we can be a light in the world. 

Quotes

“It's a joy seeing how God orchestrates, choreographs, and demonstrates the diversity of the body of Christ. And yet, it's unity that we're different, diverse, but we're unified in Christ.” - Dr. Robert Smith Jr.  

“We can be stripped of our credentials. We can lose our jobs. We can have financial reverses and relational rifts. When health breaks down and lives give way to death, I am a child of God. The fact that we are in Christ is an identity that will last throughout eternity.” - Dr. Rober Smith Jr.

 “That's the most important thing, that we must be able to say, ‘I am a child of God.’” - Dr. Robert Smith Jr. 

“God chases me with His love. God pursues me. God initiates His work in me. He's always coming after me.” - Dr. Robert Smith Jr.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Monopoly

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

When we’re facing hardships or sorrow, it can be hard to see where God is working in our lives. Creators of Reverend Mamas, Victoria Robb Powers and Cameron Mason Vickrey, encourage us that God is around us whether we feel Him or not: in the wind, in the song of little birds, or in a child’s laughter–and they talk about teaching children how to recognize that God is always near.

Quotes

“As parents, I think sometimes we put this pressure on ourselves to have all the answers for our children. I'm learning more and more how appropriate and helpful it is to actually tell your children the truth about the things that you don't know, particularly when it comes to faith.” - Victoria Robb Powers 

“Faith isn't necessarily about a right set of beliefs, but is about surrendering our trust in a God that we believe is good and faithful.” - Victoria Robb Powers 

“I think it's really important that we understand and embrace the fact that faith evolves. That will help us, so as our children's faith evolves, we don't panic. Let's celebrate that they're thinking and being thoughtful about who God is and the way God works in the world. In a lot of ways, that's a sign of faithful engagement.” - Victoria Robb Powers 

“It's really natural to kind of ask, ‘Where is God in this? Where is God in this experience that I'm going through, and these emotions that I'm feeling, in the suffering in the world? Where is God?’” - Cameron Mason Vickrey

“No matter what you go through, no matter where you are, no matter what you've done, God is with you. So this persistent presence of God in the world, in the midst of your struggles and all of your feelings, is something that you can never get away from and something that you can always rely on.” - Cameron Mason Vickrey

“When you start noticing and start recognizing and naming that God's presence is in all these things around you and all the people around you, you'll see God everywhere.” - Cameron Mason Vickrey  

Guest’s Links Reverend Mamas Instagram

Victoria’s Instagram

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Royal Lane Baptist Church

My Love, God Is Everywhere by Victoria Robb Powers & Cameron Mason Vickrey

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Abraham Cho is the senior director of global resources for Redeemer City to City in Manhattan—and he has a big, passion-filled vision for what he believes the church should look like in a world where division and hostility are ever-increasing. 

Quotes

“People need people who didn't grow up with a religious background, people who have maybe since left the church, people who consider themselves secular or non-religious. The place a potential encounter will be, the dinner tables, the office tables, and the lunch tables—those are going to be the places of encounter.” - Abraham Cho

“If you have a group of Christians who are very intentional about engaging the needs of the neighborhood, and are willing to serve it in a joyful, servant-hearted, humble way, that can oftentimes be the most important apologetic.” - Abraham Cho  

“At the very heart of the gospel we read is a ministry of reconciliation. It's both a reconciliation to God, and a reconciliation one to another.” - Abraham Cho 

“I want to be a part of planting the kinds of churches that I could see my children attending when they're adults ten, twenty years from now.” - Abraham Cho 

“The headlines might not give us a lot to be encouraged about, but in the streets, in the cities, in the everyday places, God is at work in really incredible ways.” - Abraham Cho 

Guest’s Links

Abraham Cho’s Facebook

Abraham Cho’s Instagram

Abraham Cho’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode Redeemer Presbyterian Church

Redeemer City to City

Ephesians 2

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*