Jesus Calling Magazine Issue 25 2025 Sampler by Thomas Nelson

WILLIE ROBERTSON: A Son’s Tribute to the Father of Duck Dynasty

Embraces a Crown of Courage Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree with BRENDA LEE Chocolate for Breakfast? (Yes, please!)

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Discover the powerful and uplifting true stories of faith on the Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith TV show! Each episode brings you intimate, personal accounts from a variety of people—from beloved celebrities to best-selling authors, talented musicians, celebrated sports figures, and everyday people just like you.

Tune in and be inspired by the transformative power of faith!

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Reba McEntire

Julie Chen Moonves

Tony Dungy

Amy Grant

Despite the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, gift wrapping, and visiting with friends and family, the holidays serve as a reminder to pause, slow down, and re-center ourselves around the true meaning of the season. Take a moment to settle and reflect on God’s greatest gift to us—His Son, Jesus.

An exclusive excerpt from Sarah Young’s 365-day prayer devotional

Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season

December 1

Merciful Lord Jesus,

I come to You, asking You to prepare my heart for the celebration of Your birth. Christmas is the time to exult in Your miraculous incarnation, when You—the Word—became flesh and made Your dwelling among us. You identified with mankind to the ultimate extent: becoming a Man and taking up residence in our world. I don’t want to let the familiarity of this astonishing miracle diminish its effect on me. You are the Gift above all gifts, and I rejoice in You!

A delightful way of opening up my heart to You is to spend time pondering the wonders of Your entrance into human history. I want to view these events from the perspective of shepherds living out in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks at night. They witnessed first one angel and then a great company of the heavenly host lighting up the sky, proclaiming: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

Help me to gaze at the Glory of your birth, just as the shepherds did, and respond with childlike wonder.

In Your marvelous, wondrous Name, amen.

ROMANS 6:17-18 NIV

1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20 ESV

2 CORINTHIANS 3:17 NIV

Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas

Jesus Listens Prayers for Every Season

Jesus Calling for Christmas

Demi-Leigh Tebow on Being Present When People Need Us

by Abigail Stephens

An Interruptible Life

Whenphilanthropist, entrepreneur, and author Demi-Leigh Tebow was crowned Miss Universe in 2017, it wasn’t just a victory for her personally. At that point in time, the country of South Africa—where Demi-Leigh was born and raised— had not had a title holder in thirty-nine years, and there was only one South African in the show’s history who had won. The pressure was intense, but so was the honor when she was announced as the 66th Miss Universe, and the diamond and pearl crown was placed on her head.

It meant everything to Demi-Leigh to be a representative for her home nation after watching the Miss South Africa pageants with their beautiful ball gowns and accessories and glamour on television while growing up. But she knew that what drew her to the pageants wasn’t just the finery, it was the type of women that they represented: leaders, community builders, change makers.

Eager to make a positive impact on the world around her, Demi-Leigh was headed to an event in her official capacity. It was a day like any other, filled with the anticipation of fulfilling her role and connecting with others. However, as she approached her destination, an unexpected turn of events began to unfold, threatening to derail her mission and change the course of her life forever.

Stopped at a red light, just as she was about to turn into the venue, Demi-Leigh’s mission was suddenly and violently interrupted when her car was surrounded by men, and a gun was pointed at her head. One of the men seized her as she tried to escape the vehicle, attempting to force her to go with them. But when Demi-Leigh remembers the horrific event, that doesn’t stick out to her as the most tragic part. What she remembers most intensely was how she fled up the avenue, knocking on car door after car door, with terror filling her eyes and voice—and no one would help her. No one seemed willing to lend a hand to get her to safety, until finally, a good Samaritan—a nineteen-year-old girl—pulled over her old, beat-up car and drove Demi-Leigh away from the scene.

“That incident truly served as a catalyst in my life,” Demi-Leigh shares, “and I’m so thankful to her for leading me to a safe space. She showed me what it means to be there for somebody in need. She showed me what it means to be willing to be interruptible.”

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You can only know who you truly are when you understand who God is.

The situation gave Demi-Leigh a sobering perspective on what it means to be available for others, and it inspired her to make sure there was room in her life to do just that.

Remembering what it felt like to be powerless and alone, Demi-Leigh took steps to ensure other women wouldn’t be in the same position by launching an initiative called the Unbreakable Conference, which gives women agency in situations where their safety is compromised and traumainducing events cause negative impacts.

Demi-Leigh also made it a priority to get involved with people and organizations who combat human and labor trafficking, fight online child exploitation, and advocate for children with special needs and disabilities alongside her husband, NFL superstar Tim Tebow. She reflects, “I’m just grateful for the opportunities that have transpired from that

awful, hurtful situation. It’s a testament to how when we’re willing, those ripple effects of goodness can turn that trial into a triumph in your life—to bring faith, hope, and love to those in their deepest, darkest hour of need.”

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I am thankful for my plans that have been ruined.

As Miss South Africa and Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh was able to do some amazing things that still have an impact to this day—but nobody prepared her for the moment she had to give back the crown. When it came time to usher in the next Miss Universe, DemiLeigh was excited to pass the honor along to the next “very rightful, very worthy winner.” But when she walked off that stage, she remembers feeling a bit lost and unsure of what her life would be like without the crown.

It was a slow realization that she had put so much of her value and identity in her role as Miss Universe, that she was now struggling to find her footing in just being herself. “I had to learn that

if I truly wanted to have real confidence in my identity, I was going to have to root my confidence in something other than myself. Something that is never changing. Something that is always trustworthy and bigger than myself.”

In a culture that continuously defines our worth by appearance, achievement, and approval, Demi-Leigh has found a path through her faith that’s helped her overcome insecurity and silent comparison, and walk in her truth. She says, “You can only know who you truly are when you understand who God is.”

Even when life throws curveballs—like a surprising diagnosis, a rejection instead of an acceptance, or moments of uncertainty—these challenges can guide us toward a more significant path, one that aligns with God's intentions for us. As Demi-Leigh has personally discovered, navigating these times becomes easier when we remind ourselves what truly matters: “I am thankful for my plans that have been ruined. I am thankful for the wrenches that have been thrown in my plans. Because His plans have been better and bigger and more perfect for me every single time.”

The Jesus Calling team is thrilled to congratulate Tim and Demi-Leigh as they welcomed a baby girl earlier this year, Daphne Reign Tebow. It’s a Girl!

You can find Demi-Leigh’s new book, Knowing Who You Are Because of Who God Is: 100 Days to Unbreakable Faith, at your favorite retailer.

Tim and Demi-Leigh with their dogs: Paris, Chunk, and Kobe

STAYING CENTERED THROUGH FAITH

Bure Finds the Way to Her True Self

by Emily S. Cooper

CANDACE CAMERON BURE , widely recognized for her role as DJ Tanner on Full House and later Fuller House, views her extensive acting career as “one of the most memorable and proud experiences of my life.” Beginning her journey at just ten years old, she couldn’t have foreseen the lasting impact of the wildly popular series that made her a household name for over forty years.

Yet, this early recognition taught her a profound lesson about identity. At twenty-two, pregnant with her first child, Candace encountered a grocery store clerk who—upon learning she wasn’t currently acting— responded with a dismissive “Oh, okay.” This moment was a turning point. “A million things went through my head,” she recalls, “but I realized in that moment that I very much sought my identity within my work and being an actress.” This realization led her to understand that her true identity is rooted in Christ, rather than in her professional roles.

This foundational understanding of identity deeply informs her current passion: helping others find joy and meaning. It inspired her devotional, 100 Days of Joy and Strength, which draws from the Bible verse in Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV): “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Candace explains, “There are so many days that I can feel overwhelmed and stressed out, and I have to remind myself that my joy doesn’t come from my circumstances, but from the Lord and the goodness that He gives me. Through that joy, He gives me strength to persevere.”

Her experience on Dancing with the Stars vividly illustrated how this divine guidance and strength manifest even in overwhelming circumstances.

Candace Cameron

During a live show, she completely blanked, looking “like a deer in headlights,” unsure of her next step. Her partner, however, took charge, “directing every single movement I needed to make. It wasn’t a big picture thing—it was literally every single step.” Completing the dance by following his precise instructions, Candace had a profound realization: “That is exactly who God is in our life. God will not only take our hand, but He will guide every single step.”

Beyond writing and dancing, Candace remains active in film and television, notably starring in a Christmas movie every year for the past fifteen years. This season, she brings audiences Timeless Tidings of Joy and Another Sweet Christmas (a sequel to Home Sweet Christmas) on Great American Family. “I’m always excited about Christmas,” she shares, grateful for her close-knit family. “Our kids love coming back home.” Among their cherished traditions is a yearly Christmas book filled with memories, and a new one started five years ago: a sunrise hike on Christmas morning, where they read the biblical account of Jesus' birth from Luke 2.

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God will not only take our hand, but He will guide every single step.

Candace’s commitment to her faith extends beyond the holiday season, emphasizing the daily importance of centering herself in God’s presence. “I love reading my Bible—that is my number one.” She also finds solace in devotionals like Jesus Calling and spiritual podcasts. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve understood how important it is and it’s something that I genuinely crave—to spend time with God.”

Tune in to Candace’s brand new holiday movies on Great American Family this season: Timeless Tidings of Joy and Another Sweet Christmas, the sequel of Home Sweet Christmas

To learn more about Candace, check out her book, 100 Days of Joy and Strength, available at your favorite retailer.

Candace on the set of Fuller House

Adapted from the Jesus Calling Podcast

RECIPES, CRAFTS, & GAMES TO MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS ROCKIN’

Let the beloved, #1 chart-topping song be your guide to a host of holiday fun! From recipes and crafts to party games, decor ideas, and more, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree gives you all the feels, fun, and festivities you love about the season!

Also available from our friends at MCA, look for the powder pink vinyl Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree album by Brenda Lee.

B ROT H E RHOOD WITHIN A RIVALRY

NFL Chaplains Bridge Faith on the Field and Beyond

by Michael Overholt

FEW RIVALRIES IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS burn as hot as the one between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. Their matchups have become NFL legend, defined by defensive battles, thrilling plays, and unforgettable moments.

But behind the tackles and touchdowns, there’s another story playing out that rarely makes the highlight reel. It’s the story of a brotherhood that transcends rivalry, embodied by two men who serve on opposite sidelines: Kent Chevalier and Johnny Shelton.

Kent is the team chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnny for the Baltimore Ravens. They met through the tight-knit network of NFL chaplains shortly after Kent stepped into his role with the Steelers. Johnny, a veteran chaplain with over a decade of experience, immediately became a source of wisdom and encouragement.

“Johnny’s the chaplain to the chaplains,” Kent says. “He’s the calming presence on our group texts, the one praying for all of us and reminding us why we do this work.”

Their bond has only deepened over time. In a rivalry where teams meet twice a season with postseason hopes on the line, Kent and Johnny begin those Sundays not with competition—but with connection. Before each Steelers-Ravens game, the two chaplains prayer-walk the field together, asking God to be present in the game, to guide the players, and to use them as lights in a high-pressure environment. It’s a sacred ritual that sets the tone for the game and their ministries.

Outside of game day, their brotherhood shows up in a hundred small ways. They swap stories about life in the locker room, support one another when the work feels heavy, and celebrate the personal wins of their players together. And when injuries, trades, or personal losses hit hard, they’re often the first to check in.

What keeps their bond strong is having a shared library of playbooks. There is, of course, the Bible, but there is also the Jesus Calling devotional that years ago became a cornerstone in their spiritual life and ministry.

Johnny began reading Jesus Calling in 2006 while serving as chaplain at Elon University. A gift from a friend turned into a daily practice, and he and his wife were soon buying copies for family members. Kent received his copy during Pastor Appreciation Month while serving as a youth pastor. He and his wife Erica immediately recognized its value for helping students develop a simple but deep rhythm of daily connection with God.

They both point to the devotions’ same qualities: it doesn’t require a theology degree or a free afternoon. Just a few quiet minutes and an open heart.

Which is exactly what many NFL players need. Johnny often encourages players to take five. “Start with five minutes,” he tells them. “You’ll be surprised how quickly that five becomes ten, then fifteen.”

Jesus Calling grounds Kent and Johnny, their families, and the players they serve in a deeper, unifying purpose. While the scoreboard defines Sunday’s winner, their true victory lies in the shared prayers and sacred trust of walking alongside men deeply loved by God.

Prayers from the Sidelines

On the day of the big game, the chaplains, players, and families need our prayers:

Protection from injury—for strong bodies, quick recoveries, and wise decisions.

Mental and emotional resilience— for peace in high-pressure moments and comfort in times of loss or setback.

Healthy relationships—with coaches, teammates, and their families.

Spiritual encourage-ment— that players know their worth beyond wins and stats.

Wise mentors—for chaplains, pastors, or teammates who point them to hope and truth.

Standing in the Gray Zone

by Michael Overholt

Scotty Hasting’s Search for Peace Amid Survivor’s Guilt

Tell me, God, did I win or lose?

Why am I here when he’s there with You?

Scotty Hasting wrote these lines in his song “How Do You Choose” as a combat-wounded Army infantryman turned country music artist still dealing with the terrible weight of survivor’s guilt. The song is a testimony of an ache revealed to the public from the perspective of someone who came home while his best friend, Adam Hamilton, did not.

In April 2011, during a mission in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Scotty and his unit were on patrol searching for a suspected bomb maker. Scotty was in the lead position when an enemy fighter, hidden behind a wall, opened fire. He was shot ten times— five rounds struck his shoulder, four hit his hip, and one tore through his thigh. Scotty fought to remain calm, remembering from his training that going into shock often leads to death on the battlefield.

“I mean, I was in a crazy amount of pain. But I was just trying not to think about that and trying not to think about what just happened and really trying to focus on my family and it being a normal day with my buddies.”

The noise, the blood, and the pain threatened to pull him under. At one point, he began to lose his vision, a white film descending like a curtain. In that moment, he felt the alluring peace of giving up, of letting go. But he didn’t. Forty-five minutes later, he was airlifted out. As the medics administered blood at the Kandahar Airfield, his vision returned. He survived. Adam did not.

That’s when the battle really started. And his lyrics say what so many survivors carry in silence:

How do You choose who comes back home?

Who goes under an old gravestone?

I’m just asking ‘cause it makes no sense to me.

Survivor’s guilt is as old as catastrophe. Those who live are often left with an unanswerable question: Why am I still here?

Few have articulated this better than Primo Levi, the Italian chemist and writer who survived Auschwitz. Levi wrote often about what he called “the shame of being human,” and he coined the term “the gray zone” to describe the murky, morally compromised space between meaning and chaos that survivors often find themselves in.

Levi’s survivor’s guilt never left him. Friends and scholars believe that his death in 1987—ruled a suicide—was shaped by this lifelong, internal wrestle with guilt and depression. His life

Scotty in Afghanistan

bore witness to how survival itself can be its own kind of torment.

Yet survival doesn’t have to end in despair. It’s very unlikely that Scotty’s grief is resolved just because he wrote a song about it. But it is being reshaped because he’s giving it the space to heal. He’s allowing his pain to be visible without offering easy answers. He’s simply telling the truth about trauma, about loss, and about being fully alive to both joy and grief.

Honoring Veterans Day

And his questions throughout the song—

Is it something that takes a little time?

Does it even cross Your mind?

Or is this the way that it has to be?

—these are not rhetorical questions. They are the sound of someone standing in the gray zone, holding sorrow in one hand and a guitar in the other.

If you follow Scotty on social media, you may have noticed that he, too, is making meaning from his suffering. He’s helping other veterans find their way back to life. He speaks publicly about PTSD. He performs at events where he connects with fellow survivors. He uses music not to escape the gray zone, but to live honestly, showing others that healing doesn’t require forgetting. It requires remembering well. And sometimes, remembering well sounds like a country song written by a soldier who is still learning how to live with the question: How do you choose?

This Veterans Day, we pause to honor the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served our country, and we recognize that for many, the battle doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

It’s a sacred time to lift up our veterans in prayer, especially those carrying invisible wounds like PTSD, grief, or survivor’s guilt. We remember that God is close to the brokenhearted and mighty to heal.

We also give thanks for the family members, chaplains, counselors, and communities who walk beside our veterans, helping them find peace, purpose, and hope on the other side of service.

Check out Scotty’s interview on the Jesus Calling YouTube channel.

Lyrics from “How Do You Choose” on the I’m America album by Scotty Hasting, co-written by Jesse Wayne Taylor, released 2024. Black River Entertainment.

The Gift of the Family Table

When my husband and I first walked through our house with our real estate agent, I couldn’t take my eyes off the dining room table that sat in the heart of the great room. It wasn’t flashy, just a simple, beautifully crafted table. With two removable leaves, it could easily expand to seat fourteen people, and I instantly imagined hosting family dinners and gatherings around it. There’s nothing I love more than my people all gathered around a big table together to share a meal, so we asked to include the table in our offer on the house.

It makes me think of Denise Jonas, mother of pop superstars the Jonas Brothers, who was a guest on my podcast. She shared how powerful the dinner table was in their home while the boys were young. It wasn’t just about the food; it was about the conversations, the laughter, and the listening. And yes, sometimes the singing. Repeatedly, I’ve heard from guests how intentional moments as a family shaped their children in significant ways.

In raising our own family, my husband and I decided family meals would be a priority. Not just around the holidays or on special occasions, but a common practice. Looking back, those meals, even if rushed to get out the door to baseball practice or guitar lessons, created space for the most meaningful conversations when we could really get a sense of what was on our boys’ hearts, celebrate little wins, or pick up on things we as their parents needed to be praying about.

As life has gotten busier and the nest emptier, I still try to make family meals a priority, and not just on the holidays. We all look forward to Sunday supper—that designated time when my

kids, significant others, and even friends gather for a meaningful meal around the table. Time at the table is still the best barometer for keeping up with our kids’ hearts and happiness. The beauty of faith and family isn’t found in the pictureperfect moments; it’s found in the faithful choosing to gather, whenever and however you can. Maybe it’s Tuesday night tacos, a cup of coffee and conversation with your grown son, or for many, a weekly FaceTime call to catch up. All ways of making space for your children—no matter how old they are— to know they are seen, valued, and loved.

“They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” Acts 2:46

Jennifer Vickery Smith is an entertainment journalist, host, and producer and has worked in broadcasting as an on-camera reporter, anchor, and print journalist in entertainment and broadcast news for twenty plus years. She’s a momma herself to rising country music artist Conner Smith, and Nashville-based director/videographer Cooper.

Follow along with Jennifer on Instagram @gotitfrom_mymomma. and tune into the Got It From My Momma Podcast on your favorite platform!