Welcome to Pursuing Joy! In this episode, I am discussing Purpose vs. Calling and how you can boldly and courageously step into what God is calling you to. I share some of my personal testimony and reflect on moments when I felt God calling me into things and what held me back at those times. I also share how I stepped into what God was calling me to even when I felt fearful, unqualified, stressed out - you name it! Stop waiting for things to look right, for things to happen, etc. for you to step out. Start trusting in the one who is in control. Life will always throw things your way, the enemy will try to distract you and pull you away from your calling - but don't let that stop you!! God has so many things in store for you when you surrender to his will and press into his calling(s) for you! I close in prayer to bless those who are struggling with obedience - I pray clarity, boldness and courage to flow throughout you! God blesses you so you can be a blessing to others!

Pursuing Joy Links:

• Instagram:⁠ @pursuingjoy.podcast⁠
• Facebook:⁠ Pursuing Joy with Sam⁠
• Email: ⁠samantha@pursuingjoypodcast.com⁠

Worship Songs for this episode:  (links are through Spotify)

• "⁠Called Me Higher" - All Sons and Daughters
• "Bless Me" - Maverick City Music, Kirk Franklin ( ONE OF MY FAVES!)
• "For All My Life" - TAYA

Bible Plans/Studies (found in the⁠ YouVersion Bible App⁠):

• “⁠Discover Your Purpose & Calling" by Bob Lotich
• "Obedience" - Tony Evans
• "Fear" - American Bible Society

Welcome to Pursuing Joy! In this episode we have a very special guest joining us - Clarissa Moll. She is an author, podcaster, mom to 4 kiddos and the young widow of author Rob Moll. She joins us for this episode to discuss her journey with grief and graces us with insight on how to love those who are grieving better. Tune in as Clarissa answers questions about how to support children grieve, what’s appropriate to say at a funeral/visitation, how we can love those who have turned away from their faith while grieving and so much more. Grief is something that touches just about every person, so whether you are grieving someone yourself, you are supporting someone who is grieving or you are just looking to gain understanding into something that can be a bit uncomfortable to talk about you do not want to miss this episode! 

Pursuing Joy Links:

• Instagram: @pursuingjoy.podcast
• Facebook: Pursuing Joy with Sam
• Email: samantha@pursuingjoypodcast.com

Worship Songs for this episode:  (links are through Spotify)

• "Rescue" - Lauren Daigle
• "Sing My Way Back" - Steffany Gretzinger
• "Battles Belongs" - Phil Wickham
• "I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe

Bible Plans/Studies (found in the YouVersion Bible App):

• “Jesus, the Friend in Sorrow: A 3-Day Study for Grieving" - Clarissa Moll
• "Real Hope: Grief" - Hope Media
• "God's Goodness in Our Grief" - Denita Arnold

Clarissa Moll Links

• Clarissa's Website: Discovering Grace in Grief
• Clarissa's Instagram
• Clarissa's Book - Beyond the Darkness: A Gentle Guide for Living with Grief & Thriving after Loss
• Rob's Book: The Art of Dying
• Clarissa's Podcast- "Surprised by Grief"

Welcome to Pursuing Joy! In this episode, we are talking about CELEBRATING others!! Join me for a perspective shift as we discuss reasons to celebrate others along with unique and fun ways to do so! Celebrating others blesses that person and you receive so much joy as well! Use your unique gifts to love others well by celebrating them! Whether they have an event coming up or not - celebrate and love them for what they mean to you! These ideas are sure to put a smile on their face and fill you with joy as well! Go spread joy and love today!

Pursuing Joy Links:

• Instagram: @pursuingjoy.podcast
• Facebook: Pursuing Joy with Sam
• Email: samantha@pursuingjoypodcast.com

Worship Songs for this episode:  (links are through Spotify)

• "I Thank God" - Maverick City Music
• "Bless Me"  Maverick City Music
• "You and Jesus" - Walker County, Greylan James
• "Be a Light" - Thomas Rhett and others

Bible Plans/Studies (found in the YouVersion Bible App):

• “The Call to Celebrate" - Neal Samudre
• "Everybody Always" - Bob Goff
• “Love Does -- Experience A Life of Love in Action" - Bob Goff

Links

• Hallmark Video Greeting Cards Link HERE
• Felt App - Personalized Cards ($6/month for 3 cards!!)

Welcome to Pursuing Joy! In this episode, we are discussing relationships & a common role that some of us try to take on ourselves or place expectations on others to take on. We discuss how we attempt to fill a role that was never intended for us to fill. It is a position fulfilled by God only. If you are putting all of your trust, hope, and healing in yourself or another human only, you’re eventually going to be disappointed. The BEST news is, God wants to be this in your life and he promises to carry you through and to be your refuge.  Sometimes we need help taking our hands off and allowing God to step in and become our SAVIOR completely.  

"Stop trying to play God and learn how to be dependent and reliant on Him." - Episode 8

Pursuing Joy Links:

• Instagram: @pursuingjoy.podcast
• Facebook: Pursuing Joy with Sam
• Email: samantha@pursuingjoypodcast.com

Worship Songs for this episode:  (links are through Spotify)

• “New Future" - Life.Church Worship
• "Thank You Jesus for the Blood" - Charity Gale
• "This is How I Thank The Lord" - Mosaic MSC

Bible Plans/Studies (found in the YouVersion Bible App):

• “Savior: The Promise Fulfilled" - by Love God Greatly
• "I Serve A Savior: A 12-Day Devotional By Josh Turner" - by Josh Turner

Links

• "Meaning of Marriage" Book Link through Amazon

Welcome to Pursuing Joy! In this episode, we are going to talk about the power of our words and how necessary it is for us to control what comes out of our mouths! We’ll look at scripture so that we can begin to see what God’s word says about our words, we’ll see how the Bible relates our words with what’s going on in our heart & look at 4 practical ways we can turn our words of hurt into words of life and love. We must comprehend that there are physical responses when words are received, which is one of the main reasons our words hold value. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” There is power in your words - use them to speak life and love over yourselves and others! 

Pursuing Joy Links:

• Instagram: @pursuingjoy.podcast
• Facebook: Pursuing Joy with Sam
• Email: samantha@pursuingjoypodcast.com

Worship Songs for this episode:  (links are through Spotify)

• “Holy Spirit" - Francesca Battistelli
• "King of My Heart" - Bethel Music 
• "Spirit Lead Me" - Influence Music

Bible Plans/Studies (found in the YouVersion Bible App):

• “The Power of Words"- Bible Society
• "Gossip - The Power of our Words" 

Declarations:

• You are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)
• You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14 NIV)
• You have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
• God has not given you a spirit of fear. He has given you power, love and self-discipline.(2 Timothy 1:7)
• God blesses you and surrounds you with favour as a shield (Psalsms 5:12)
• The joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)
• The Lord has chosen YOU, you are his special treasure. (Psalm 135:4)

References/Resources:

• “The Neuroscience Behind Our Words”: https://brm.institute/neuroscience-behind-words/#:~:text=Put%20frankly%2C%20their%20study%20proved,rates%20of%20negative%20self%2Dtalk.
• “How Words Can Have a Positive Effect On Your Brain: ”https://blog.myneurogym.com/how-words-can-have-a-positive-effect-on-your-brain/
• Interview with Dr. Emerson Eggerich being interviewed on Focus on the Family: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0IjD_KsHhZc 

Welcome to Pursuing Joy! In this episode, I am joined by my wonderful, faith-filled, Helicopter-Fying Husband of mine! We spent our first year of marriage traveling & serving in various states/countries and it’s a decision we have never regretted. Join us as we reflect on our first year of marriage and look at how choosing to set our foundation in loving God and serving others has impacted our lives. We hope you feel motivated to step out of your comfort zone to serve others! Find faith in knowing that God has equipped you and has prepared the way - you just need to take the first step! 

"Worry less about acquiring things and find more ways to love out loud!"

Pursuing Joy Links:

• Instagram: @pursuingjoy.podcast
• Facebook: Pursuing Joy with Sam
• Email: samantha@pursuingjoypodcast.com

Worship Songs for this episode:  (links are through Spotify)

• “Called Me Higher" - All Sons & Daughters
• "Less Like Me" - Zach Williams
• "God Is In This Story" - Katy Nichole
• "Love God Love People" - Danny Gokey

Bible Plans/Studies (found in the YouVersion Bible App):

• “The Hands and Feet of Jesus" - SOE
• "Pursuing Your Spouse in Marriage" (Parts 1 &2) - Awesome Marriage
• "5 Days of Loving Others with Settle My Soul" - Karen Ehman

**Samaritan's Purse Link HERE - You pay for your way there and they will take care of the rest!