This week’s stories are set an ocean apart, but share a common thread of two individuals placing their trust in God to be a lighthouse in the dark while mapping a new course for their lives. 

Joseph Rojas, the lead singer of the Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber, candidly shares a background where abuse, addiction, and suicidal ideation haunted his days, and how that led to a rock-bottom moment in the back of an ambulance, where he had a life-changing encounter with God. Author and podcaster Monica Swanson is a mom to four boys who she decided to start homeschooling when they were elementary age. Though Monica and her husband initially had doubts about handling the boys’ education, they leaned into the task and discovered some of the benefits of this type of education, and now help others who desire to choose this route for their own families. 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview: Brandi Rhodes

Upcoming interview: Savannah Guthrie

Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

Jesus Calling for Easter

Joseph Rojas

Seventh Day Slumber

Third Day

Skillet

Prayer Chain

Bleach

Unveiled Skies: Conquering Emotional Battles

Monica Swanson

Deuteronomy 6 NIV

www.monicaswanson.com

Becoming Homeschoolers

Interview Quotes:

“It was hard to believe that if there really is a God and He's holy and good, what would He want with someone as messed up as me?” - Joseph Rojas 

“I gave my heart to Him. I was talking with my heart to God. I don't remember exactly what I prayed, probably something along the lines of, God, if you'll still have me, if you still want me, I'll give my life to you.” - Joseph Rojas 

“When I saw the people come forward and give their hearts to the Lord, I said, ‘That's what I want to do.’” - Joseph Rojas

“I wish that someone would have told me earlier on that I need to quit looking to everybody else to try to tell me who I am…At the end of the day, if you want to know who you are, you should ask the One who created you, and He will tell you that you're not a throw away, that you're not a lost cause, that you're not too fat, that you're not stupid, that you're not worthless. He'll tell you that you are loved beyond measure.” - Joseph Rojas

“Faith has been a huge element of our homeschool experience, mostly because we've been able to live out the Deuteronomy chapter six idea of talking about God's commands as we get up, as we walk along the road, as we lie down.” - Monica Swanson

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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj