The Jules Show

I've heard it said a big problem is just a small one that didn't get managed earlier. My friend, Ashley Hembrey, would say that's pretty accurate. Ashley started down a path of self destruction early in high school and her choices led her into situations that most of us can't even imaging.

In this first episode of the new season of The Jules Show, I had the chance to sit down on my back porch and talk with Ashley about her story. She was in a deep pit of self destruction, fueled by addiction which ultimately led to multiple stints in jail. It was in jail she finally realized she needed help. She's been in recovery for years now, and credits daily devotion time and music from artists like Tauren Wells and Lauren Dangle with helping remind her daily she is a redeemed child of the King.

But the big take away from my time with Ashley wasn't the "how" or that God DID redeem her. We spent much of our time together talking about WHY God redeems us.

I appreciate Ashley's bravery and willingness to share her story with us. She's even willing to offer her assistance to anyone who finds themselves in a place of brokenness.  If you'd like to reach out to Ashley, please email my producer, Anne at [email protected] and she will put you in touch with Ashley.

[As we reset for season three of The Jules Show Podcast, Producer Anne, Editor Jeff and Jules have picked their favorite podcasts from the past. This week, it's Jules’ pick which originally posted June 10, 2020] Several years ago, I had a Sunday school teacher who shared a story about a church whose congregation actually split and half the people left and formed a new church because the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. They must have been arguing some big theological issue, I thought. That wasn’t it. The huge dispute which broke the church apart was over - wait for it  - what color the new carpet for the sanctuary should be!!

Jesus tells us they will know you because of your love amongst the brothers and sisters. Our unity is what sets us apart. Or it should be. But lately in our world, unity, even among Christians, seems hard to come by. So that’s why I asked one of the most  biblically grounded people I know to share with us biblical truth we can all use to work together for unity..

David Holt, author and pastor at Living Hope Church in Athens offers us counsel on how to keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is the saving blood of Jesus. Learn more at livinghopeathens.com.

[As we reset for season three of The Jules Show Podcast, Producer Anne, Editor Jeff and Jules have picked their favorite podcasts from the past. This week, it's Jeff’s pick which originally posted July 24, 2019] Let's face it - when you get right down to it, we're all a bunch of broken toys. We're sinners, with lot's of issues and hard as we may try to do the right thing, we just keep messing up.

If you're anything like me, you scratch your head sometimes, because on the one hand, you know God doesn't waste anything in our lives, but on the other you're sitting there thinking "Lord, how are you going to use this disaster in my life for your glory?"

My friend Mark Benson wondered this, too. After his infant daughter died at 90 days of life, and his marriage subsequently ended in divorce, Mark was struggling to see what God was doing with his personal tragedy.

In my podcast interview with Mark, he shares with me just how God redeemed his personal brokenness and placed on his heart a passion to lead men's ministry in an effort to help and disciple other hurting and broken men.

Click and listen to my podcast interview with Mark Benson.

[As we reset for season three of The Jules Show Podcast, Producer Anne, Editor Jeff and Jules have picked their favoite podcasts from the past. This week, it's Anne's pick which originally posted July 16, 2018]

Let's face it, if we're really honest, most of us have done something in our past which we now regret. And while we know in our minds God forgave us of our sins when we accepted Jesus Christ as our savior, so often times, believing it in our hearts is not so easy.

Miriam Nelson is a woman who knows a great deal about God's redemptive grace. As the director of the Athens Pregnancy Center, Miriam shared with me her personal journey of seeking God's forgiveness after having an abortion when she was 17 years old. Miriam regularly shares her testimony with clients at APC as well as with churches and other organizations, and one of the main take aways I learned from my interview with her was that whatever mistakes we have made, God forgives us and wants us to use our brokenness for His glory. Miriam has been able to share her story of regret and pain and ultimately redemption, with countless women who find themselves believing the lie that having an abortion is a decision they will not regret. 

Miriam's regret was abortion, but her story of redemption is one from which we all can learn. She surrendered the guilt and shame, and taught me that nothing we do is too big for God to forgive. But we have to choose to LET Him. And then, we need to use our experience to help others.

Watching a loved one walk the path of memory loss is often an emotionally as well as physically exhausting experience. But a new ministry in Macon, GA is offering socialization for participants and a much needed break for the participants care givers.

In this episode of The Jules Show podcast, I had a chat with Leigh Hinton, the director of Sanctuary Respite Ministry, an outreach of Forest Hills Methodist Church, which is providing half day programs three days a week for individuals or "friends" as they call them, to come and spend time with other folks on the memory loss journey. Friends are provided the opportunity to participate in all manner of activities which provide stimulation and exercise, at whatever level they can handle.

Leigh shared with me the amazing God story of how they were able to open this ministry in, you guessed it, the sanctuary of an old church. Staying active is a major benefit in slowing age related memory loss, and SRM can provide stimulation in a Christ centered environment to give friends a greater quality of life, while at the same time providing a respite for the often over worked care giver, who is usually a spouse. You'll love hearing how SRM is fulfilling Jesus directive to care for "the least of these." Learn more about Sanctuary Respite Ministry at http://foresthillsmacon.com/welcome/sanctuary-respite.

Several years ago, I had a Sunday school teacher who shared a story about a church whose congregation actually split and half the people left and formed a new church because the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. They must have been arguing some big theological issue, I thought. That wasn’t it. The huge dispute which broke the church apart was over - wait for it  - what color the new carpet for the sanctuary should be!!

Jesus tells us they will know you because of your love amongst the brothers and sisters. Our unity is what sets us apart. Or it should be. But lately in our world, unity, even among Christians, seems hard to come by. So that’s why I asked one of the most  biblically grounded people I know to share with us biblical truth we can all use to work together for unity..

David Holt, author and pastor at Living Hope Church in Athens offers us counsel on how to keep the main thing the main thing. And the main thing is the saving blood of Jesus. Learn more at livinghopeathens.com.

Covid 19 is a virus that has devastated more than just health. Our jobs, our way of life have all been totally upended. If you're feeling confused, and maybe even paralyzed over all the turmoil in our world right now, then my podcast guest, pastor and author Gerald Fadayomi has some practical guidance to help you chart these uncertain waters and plot a course to move ahead.

Whether its an unexpected job loss, the death of a loved one or a difficult diagnosis from our doctor, in his new book, "When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade," Gerald teaches us techniques for taking action in our own lives, using the example set by the biblical hero, Joseph.

Gerald points out how the Bible never guarantees our lives will be free from suffering, however it DOES show us a way to deal with the uncomfortable - or as he calls them, "sour" - circumstances. By asking yourself just three simple questions, and then spending some time prayerfully answering them, you can more clearly discern the path God has planned for you. Gerald helped me to realize we are not as powerless as we sometimes feel, we just have to ask the right questions for our situation. Reach Gerald at  - https://www.geraldfadayomi.com/lemons

I read somewhere that life is a series of crisis' and how well we deal with them makes all the difference.

Paula Maxwell was young and unmarried and found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy. It was a crisis situation, but she knew the choice she wanted to make would have long lasting repercussions. For Paula, abortion wasn't an option. So she sought out the counsel of Covenant Care Services, and with their help, made out an adoption plan for her child.

In this episode of The Jules Show podcast, we conclude our interview with our friends from Covenant Care Services by letting Paula tell her story of being a birth mother, what that was like, what has happened to her and her child in the decades since she chose adoption and how she has now come full circle, to serve the ministry of CCS as a client services coordinator.

When Paula tells a woman "I know what you're feeling," she really does. God has been able to use what initially seemed like a crisis in Paula's life to minister His love and grace and provide help and healing to countless women and families. Her decision back then is making a huge difference in lives today.

At a time when we can all use some encouragement in our lives, Paula's story is a great one of God's redemption and faithfulness.

Even in the best of circumstances, I think most women will agree pregnancy can be a little scary. So, imagine how frightening it can be for a woman who is not expecting to be expecting. In this episode of my podcast, I was able to have a great conversation with Carol Gledhill, executive director of Covenant Care Adoptions in Macon, GA about how they are coming alongside these vulnerable women and their families to provide ALL options available to them in a loving, compassionate and Christ centered way. By providing assistance from the very beginning, Covenant Care helps EVERY woman who reaches out to them with a multitude of services, helping ensure the best possible outcomes. To make the story even more special, Carol brought a friend with her - a birth mom who was one of the original birth mothers to place through Covenant Care - to share her story of healing and redemption (in the next podcast). These precious ladies shed some light on a topic many folks in the church want to sweep under the rug, as well as shattering some of the myths surrounding the "typical" woman facing an unplanned pregnancy. I think you will come away encouraged and inspired by the work the folks at Covenant Care Adoptions are doing. Have a listen and let me know your thoughts and learn more at covenantcaredoptions.com

Seems like everyone has a side hustle these days. Be it a freelance gig or a nights and weekends part time job, we're all looking for ways to pick up some extra cash. Greg Washington was getting by on the money he was earning in culinary arts at a hotel, and he seemed to be on track for advancement as a chef. But when money started getting tight, a side hustle opportunity presented itself. Someone offered him a chance to turn $100 into $150 for just making a quick stop. And so the lure of what seemed like easy money took Greg down a road to hustling drugs full time. Yes, Greg's story is one of a guy going down a dark road, only for God to redeem it in the end, but what makes Greg's story especially compelling is his unique perspective on the mind of hustlers - and hustlers are more than just drug dealers. They are in all walks of life, and Greg shares how he learned this and how if, truth be told, we can all be guilty of being hustlers. Listen to the podcast and then share your comments with me. Learn more at: www.mindofahustlerbook.com