Jesus Calling Magazine - Spring 2020 - Issue#3

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MAGAZINE

LAUREN ALAINA Dances Toward Her Dreams

Craig Morgan Life After Losing a Son

Gloria Gaynor

"I Have Survived"

Lessons

from a Third Grade Dropout

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Along with 365 devotions, this edition of Jesus Calling contains: • Personal stories from Sarah Young • Stories from readers showing how God is at work today

AVA I L A B L E I N S T O R E S EVERYWHERE JUNE 2020

JESUSCALLING.COM

Top 10 Episodes OV E R T H E L A S T Y E A R

1. Why, God? And Then Trusts His Plan Lysa TerKeurst

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2. Every Scar Has a Story Mark Eaton & Kelsey Lamb

Dear R eader

3. When Your Purpose Seems Unclear, Seek God Jeremy Cowart & Elisabeth Hasselbeck

I have a favorite Bible verse I’d like to share with you: You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). This verse assures us that we can depend on God to show us His path toward Joy—no matter what is going on in our lives.

4. Moving from Worry to Worship Chris Tomlin & Darren Whitehead

We embrace Joy by embracing Jesus—loving Him, trusting Him, staying in communication with Him. We can choose to live this way even during our most challenging times. In fact, the more difficult our circumstances, the brighter our gladness will shine—in vivid contrast to the dark backdrop of adversity.

5. Trusting the God of Miracles the Real-Life Story Behind the Break through Movie 6. Choosing Christ Through Doubt & Fear Bear Grylls & Rhonda Vincent

Living close to Jesus makes your hard times more bearable and your good times more delightful. Remember that nothing can separate you from His Love!

7. God Writes the Stories of Our Lives Tim Tebow & Josh Enck

I hope you will embrace the Joy of a close relationship with Jesus. He is with you continually—nearer than the air you breathe.

Bountiful blessings!

9. During our Hardest Times, God Is Faithful Dr. David Jeremiah & Tracy Layman 10. Running Toward God to Find Our True Value Ryan Hall & Holly Dowling

Listen to these episodes at jesuscalling.com/podcast

PHOTO CREDIT: JEREMY COWART

8. God’s Power Over Wrong Choices WWE’s Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase & Marc Mero

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MAGA ZINE

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Laura Minchew SVP & Publisher

COVER STORY | 8 Country music artist Lauren Alaina shares a “Getting Good” life by chasing her dreams.

Michael Aulisio VP, Marketing Editor in Chief, The Jesus Calling Magazine Linda Tozer Marketing Director Mandy Wilson Marketing Director

CONTENTS 3

Many Differences, One Big Heart—Linsey Davis

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Doing Good: CMA Foundation Drums Up Support for Schools

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Rashad Jennings: A Father and Son Save Each Other’s Lives

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Pastor’s Corner: Mark Eaton—Creating a Strong Legacy

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Jack & Marsha Countryman: Working, Living, and Loving Together

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Something Special for Moms, Dads, and Grads

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Kay Warren: Redefining Joy When the Bottom Falls Out

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Dr. Rick Rigsby: Faith to Go Beyond the Comfort Zone

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Craig Morgan: A Father, His Son & What Matters Most

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The Secret to Parenting Your Adult Children—Dr. Jim Burns

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“I Will Survive”—Gloria Gaynor’s Tests Turn into Her Testimony

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Music Spotlight: Mark Miller & Madison Brown—Family Bonds Forged on a Bus

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Cozy Bedtime Spaces for “Darling Dears”—RootedFamily.com

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Family Games & Puzzles

Laura Neutzling Managing Editor The Jesus Calling Magazine Amy Kerr Copy Editor The Jesus Calling Magazine Beth Murphy Senior Marketing Director Barbara Moser Senior Graphic Designer Candace Waggoner Senior Operations Manager Designer Michelle Lenger

Published quarterly by Thomas Nelson, Inc., P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214 Printed in the U.S.A. © 2004 Sarah Young All rights reserved; no materials may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

The Jesus Calling Magazine is not responsible for problems with vendors or their products or services.

Cover Photo by Michael Scott Evans

Linsey Davis | 3

Kay Warren | 22

Craig Morgan | 30

For advertising inquiries, visit JesusCalling.com/magazine

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LINSEY DAVIS

Many Differences, One Big Heart JOURNALIST LINSEY DAVIS REMEMBERS LESSONS FROM HER MOTHER

by Bonnie Honeycutt In one small corner of our big world, author and journalist Linsey Davis is making waves by connecting hearts across cultures—and across generations.

Linsey is no ordinary storyteller. As a renowned ABC News correspondent, Linsey has reported on many high-profile stories throughout her career, including Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Las Vegas shooting, the Miracle on the Hudson, and more. But when she was little, Linsey had no idea she would be the veteran journalist she is today.

My mom is“very much responsible for my falling in love with storytelling.

The daughter of two teachers, Linsey’s father taught math and her mother Beverly taught English. And while 3

her as a child. She says when I was a certain age, I said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me that these letters made words?’ I was so anxious to be able to read and write, and that was something she very much cultivated.”

I think that“confidence building is one of the building blocks of success.

Along with a love for storytelling, Linsey’s parents made sure Linsey and her sister were in Sunday school each week. “When I look back now, I think that was so important to who I am today. When I was in church, that was my first time doing any kind of public speaking. I think that confidence building is one of the building blocks of success. I found that foundation in the church, and now I'm making sure I get that foundation for my son.”

Linsey on the set of ABC's news magazine, Nightline.

Beverly made sure her daughter knew the mechanics of the language inside and out (“She’s the person who made sure I got lay versus lie right,” says Linsey), Beverly also had an impact on her daughter’s lifelong interest in sharing stories.

“My mom is very much responsible for my falling in love with storytelling—along with writing and the English language,” Linsey shares. “My mom has always been a big writer and spent a lot of time in our house modeling that for me. When she’s introducing me, she loves to tell a story of a time I got mad at

Recently, mother and daughter joined forces to coauthor a children’s book together called One Big Heart: A Celebration of Being More Alike Than Different. The story shares a timeless message that Beverly taught Linsey from the time she was a little girl: love your neighbor as yourself.

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“Children just love. They're not thinking about all the different divisions that we are often as adults,” Linsey explains. “My son’s five, and when he comes home and he’s met a new friend, he doesn’t tell me about their race or their background or religion or culture. He just says what they have in common. They both like LEGOs, or drawing pictures, or whatever it is. I wanted to reinforce that notion for him and other children and parents who find that same value important.

4 Ways to Help Kids

Cultivate One Big Heart

“ They're not Children just love. thinking about all the different divisions that we are often as adults.

1. Encourage children to have friends who don’t look like them.

2. Schedule play dates for kids to interact with each other face to face (and without their digital devices!).

“People often say that our children don’t see color, and I totally disagree with that. I think that they do see color; they just don’t assign a value to it. Quite often it’s adults who do that. When people have not been exposed to others who look different from them, or have different beliefs, or who act differently, perhaps there becomes this ‘us versus them’ attitude. I think that becomes so divisive, especially when people make our differences the first thing they notice.

“I believe that children do notice difference. So let’s say, ‘Hey, we have a different color of skin, and hair, and features, and likes and dislikes. But guess what?

God gave us all this one unique gift. He gave us all one big heart.’ That’s the most important part, because that’s where love starts.”

3. Give kids time to play side by side with games and hands-on projects, like board games or LEGOs. 4. Ensure kids have access to different books, toys, and dolls that help them experience the world through different eyes.

Adapted for print from Linsey’s interview on the Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith video series.

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to watch Linsey's story!

Linsey’s book One Big Heart is available at your favorite book retailer today.

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THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION

DRUMS UP SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS

WE’VE ALL HEARD THAT “MUSIC IS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE.” From the memories a song can carry into our minds, to the documented healing a melody can bring to pain and brain injuries, music touches us like nothing else can.

Research shows that when music is part of a child’s education, it increases the child’s ability to stick with their studies and thrive in the classroom. Recent statistics from The Children’s Music Workshop show that schools with music programs have an estimated 90 percent graduation rate and a 94 percent attendance rate compared to schools without music education, which average 73 percent graduation and 85 percent attendance.

“ this country Every child in deserves to have access and opportunity to participate in high-quality music education.

The folks at the Country Music Association recognize the power of music. And when they wondered how they could use their influence to better the world, the CMA decided to focus on schools that have suffered cuts to arts programs, and raise awareness for how those cuts have impacted school music programs all across the country. In 2006, the CMA Foundation began to invest in music education, with the overwhelming support of artists and industry professionals who had firsthand knowledge of what it was like to fall in love with music in the classroom.

Andrew Jackson Elementary Choir performs during the 2019 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.

Photo Credit John Russell and CMA. 6

D O I N G

G O O D

million has been pumped back into music and arts education in schools across the country.

The CMA Foundation recognizes that investing directly into music teachers has a huge impact on the classroom as well. In that spirit, they launched a Music Teachers of Excellence program that supports music education teachers who strive to equip their kids with a love of the arts. Each MTOE Award recipient gets $5,000 to split between supporting their classroom and their own personal needs.

“Sometimes as teachers, we can feel isolated, like the outside world doesn’t know or appreciate what we do,” says music instructor Sherie Grossman, a recent MTOE recipient from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

“CMA saw me, recognized me, and appreciated me!

With the money from their generous donation, I was able to repair instruments, purchase new bows for my program, and provide more supplies for my students to use.”

“We believe every child in this country deserves to have access and opportunity to participate in highquality music education,” says Tiffany Kearns, the executive director of the CMA Foundation. “Everyone remembers what it was like the first time they picked up an instrument, or the first time that they walked the halls and didn’t know their way, but found their way through music.”

To find out how you can support music education in your area through the CMA Foundation, visit CMAFoundation.org.

Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director

Working together with country music artists, music labels, and music industry professionals, the CMA Music Festival, held every summer in Nashville, has become the biggest fundraising conduit for the foundation’s important efforts. As a result, over $27

Music Teachers of Excellence hosted by Dierks Bentley.

Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen and CMA.

Student Choir at the Music Teachers of Excellence.

Photo Credit: Hunter Berry and CMA.

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by Laura Neutzling

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PHOTO CREDIT: MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS, SHUTTERSTOCK, ABC/DANCING WITH THE STARS, LAUREN ALAINA'S PERSONAL ARCHIVES

LAUREN ALAINA LIVES HER DREAMS and Finds a Little Bit of Heaven

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every round of the show on Season 10, performing with both Tyler and one of her biggest influences, Carrie Underwood, and making it to the finals as a runner up.

auren Alaina knows what it’s like to have a dream.

Growing up in Rossville, Georgia, she can’t remember a time she didn’t have a dream—specifically, to be a singer.

“I’ve been telling people I was gonna be a singer since I was three years old,” Lauren recalls. “And I remember people saying, ‘Oh yeah? No one leaves Rossville.’ And I was like, ‘Watch me—I’m leaving!’”

While their daughter never wavered from her vision, Lauren’s parents supported their determined little girl’s singing dreams. Lauren played gigs around Rossville with her dad, who would play guitar. She sang at church and in multiple singing competitions.

Her parents worked long hours to make ends meet for the family, but they still managed to nurture Lauren’s desire to become a singer, often driving two and a half hours to Nashville on the weekends to scope out opportunities in Music City.

“My parents knew that’s what I wanted to do, even though they couldn’t afford it.

They put me on stage at a very, very young age because they recognized something in me.”

Someone else would go on to recognize something special in Lauren. At 15 years old, when Lauren decided to audition for the hit television show American Idol, judge Steven Tyler would declare during her audition, “We found the one.”

Once again, with her parents by her side, Lauren sang her way through

“ my awkward I was kind of in phase. I just happened to go through mine on national television.

“I went from being a small-town girl to a girl in the public eye,” Lauren reflects. “I think there were, like, 40 million votes the night of the finale, and I was kind of in my awkward phase. I just happened to go through mine on national television.”

Experiencing the already tumultuous changes that come during teenage years, Lauren found herself in another contest she hadn’t asked to be in: the arena of public opinion.

“I would say the hardest part of my journey was 15 to 19. Trying to figure out fame but also deal with the criticism, it was really tough for me for a while.”

Lauren struggled with an eating disorder in middle school. And now, under so much scrutiny in the spotlight with no part of her appearance going unnoticed—or unsaid—her old insecurities were ignited by online comments about her weight.

“There were blogs that called me ‘Miss Piggy’ and put pig noses on my face. I was 15 and already struggling with an eating disorder. I really struggled for a few years until it caused some serious health problems for me.”

“ someone The first time gave me Jesus Calling, I was on American Idol.

Eventually, Lauren went to a doctor and also sought professional help at the behest of her mother. Through therapy, her faith, and the strong support system of her friends and family, Lauren was able to break the hold the disorder had on her.

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“ done it without the Lord.

I don’t know how I could have

“The first time someone gave me Jesus Calling, I was on American Idol. I remember really needing it at the time. One constant thing I always had was Jesus. There have been a lot of times where I was just overwhelmed, and every time I would go to Him, He was always there for me. I don’t know how I could have done it without the Lord.”

Lauren was empowered with tools that helped her to see her worth and to resist the spiral of internalizing others’ opinions. She continued the trajectory toward her dreams—and ultimately, her calling in life—

including releasing her first album Wildflower, which debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart.

“I had to work really hard to get in a place where I felt good about myself,” Lauren remembers. “There are always going to be people who have something to say that is not nice. But if I feel good about myself and I have people around me who lift me up, that takes the power away from them.”

During the creation of her first record, Lauren found that writing songs about the pain she experienced was not only like “therapy” to her, but 10

C O V E R

S T O R Y

“He was so faithful the whole time. He never felt sorry for himself. The day that he died, he was at home in hospice and in a lot of pain, but then he opened up his eyes and it was like every ounce of pain had left his body. And he said, ‘I found it.’ “‘Found what?’ we said. “‘Heaven.’

“My stepdad was literally describing heaven. He said he saw his mom, and he saw Jesus. And then Sam said, ‘I love you all, but I have to go now.’ He closed his eyes, and a few hours later, he was gone.”

Lauren’s faith crystalized in that moment, and she found herself praying earnestly to God, apologizing for her doubts, thanking Him for the moment she had with Sam, and releasing the anger she had felt about her stepdad being taken away from her.

On the one-year anniversary of Sam’s death,

she could see that she was actually reaching people through her words.

“The most rewarding thing is when a young girl comes to me and says, ‘I don't have to be scared to admit that I have an eating disorder. Knowing that you’ve pushed through that is so, so helpful to me.’

And if I can do that, that’s all I want to do.”

Now at age 25, Lauren has two bestselling albums under her belt, headlined her own tour, nabbed a 4th place win on season 28 of Dancing with the Stars, and launched a new EP in March.

She reflects on what kept her grounded through the wins and the losses—especially a loss that was very recent.

“My stepdad passed away on October 21st, 2018.

And honestly, Sam’s death changed my life forever—it changed my faith forever. He was the most positive, upbeat, uplifting person you’ll ever meet.”

Diagnosed with Stage IV melanoma five years earlier, the man who had come to mean so much to Lauren started to slip away.

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Getting Good

LAUREN’S THOUGHTS ON

“Getting Good is all about being present in your life. I am very goal oriented. I'm constantly thinking about the next step, where we're going, what we're going to do. But I think it's also really important to count your blessings where you are right now, and Getting Good says exactly that.

Lauren, and dance partner Gleb Savchenko, honor her stepdad, Sam

My favorite part of the title song is “Once I learn to soak up every moment, I realize my life's already good.” The

Lauren honored her stepdad with a moving song she wrote in tribute to him called “The Other Side.” She performed a contemporary dance to the song with her dance partner, Gleb Savchenko, during her stint on Dancing With the Stars.

“There are these moments when tragedy happens or when bad things happen to good people, and you can't explain it. But there is a God out there, and He is in control of all of this. And I think the most important thing we can do is lift people up and love others, and know that someday we’re all gonna be reunited in the kingdom of heaven.”

truth is, we already have so many amazing things. And I sometimes get so worried about what's next that I forget to be thankful for what I have right now. And I just think the message of the song is really important for me.”

You can find Lauren’s new EP Getting Good at your favorite music retailer or streaming provider.

Adapted for print from Lauren’s interview on the Jesus Calling:

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to watch Lauren's story!

Stories of Faith video series.

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A Father and Son Save Each Other’s Lives

by Rashad Jennings

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Rashad Jennings is a former NFL running back who played with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Oakland Raiders, and the New York Giants. In 2017, he appeared on Dancing With the Stars—and was crowned the winner of his season. Rashad overcame several obstacles that might have halted his dream of becoming an NFL player, including a difficult relationship with his father. Rashad shares how their stormy relationship transformed as father and son became each other’s fiercest supporters.

I GREW UP IN FOREST, VIRGINIA—I’M A

question, they’d die laughing, and the teacher would

glasses, a 0.6 GPA, and a dream to play in the NFL.

was frustrated with schools.

SMALL-TOWN GUY. I was a chubby kid with

think I was playing. So that was a big part of why I

I struggled in a major way academically. I asked

I was into sports. I have two older brothers, who

too many questions, which was a major issue, but they

are ten and thirteen years older than me. Watching

how it looked like I was the class clown—I just wasn’t

them, but I was nowhere close to being athletic like

were legitimate questions. Looking back, I can see

my older brothers play sports, I wanted to emulate

trying to be funny. So when my hand went up to ask

they were. And so that was a battle, trying to carry the

a genuine question, kids already were like, “He’s

Jennings last name and be like my brothers.

about to ask another question, watch this!” I’d ask a

I had asthma. That was a struggle. One time, I

was hospitalized because of an asthma attack. At that time in my life, I was fighting for my next breath, let

alone thinking about, Will I accomplish my NFL dream?

And when I was in a hospital for a week, hooked up

to tubes, the doctors came in the room. My mom was in there, my dad was in there. And the doctors let

my parents know how severe my asthma was, and

told them that I couldn’t be around cigarette smoke.

We’d have to change a lot of things in our home, and basically rehab the whole entire house to make it conducive for me to live.

So when I got back home, the doctor said my dad

couldn’t smoke around the house anymore. My dad started smoking outside. A week later, he started smoking inside again.

From my room, I could smell the smoke seeping

through the vent. I started to choke up, and I put a

pillow over my face. I went upstairs and knocked on

my dad’s door. He didn’t answer. I opened it, and he’s sitting in the corner of his room in his chair like he always does, smoking and drinking.

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I looked at him and I said “Dad, I want to play

running back in the NFL.”

And he took a puff of a smoke, another swig of his

drink and said, “Do you think you’ll be able to make it to the NFL without drinking or smoking yourself?”

And with tears in my eyes, I looked at him in the

face and I said, “Dad, just to prove you wrong, I’m never going to do it.”

I’m 34 years old, and I’ve never smoked or taken a

drink in my life, and it was literally just to prove him wrong. He watched his little knucklehead kid never

drink, never smoke, and make it to the League just to

prove him wrong—and I watched my dad change his

life. I watched him quit drinking and smoking and get more invested in the Word.

And so, in a very strange way, my dad and I feel

like we saved each other’s lives in that little moment.

Now we have a great relationship, but it’s our

unconditional love and a lot of stories that bridge the gap from where we were to the place where we are today.

Adapted for print from Rashad’s interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

My dad and “ I didn’t have a great relationship, and we never talked about anything.

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to hear more of Rashad's story!

I asked my dad—and this is the chubby kid in

red-rimmed glasses, with asthma, the 0.6 GPA, and a

child’s dream to go do something in his life—I looked at my dad and said, “Dad, can you stop smoking and drinking and be there for me?”

He took a puff of a smoke, blew it in the air, and

took a swig of his drink. He said “Rashad, what do you want to do when you get older?”

My dad and I didn’t have a great relationship, and

Rashad’s memoir, The IF In Life, is available wherever books are sold. And check out his hilarious and inspiring series for kids ages 8–12, The Coin Slot Chronicles!

we never talked about anything. So part of me looked

at this as an opportunity like, My dad actually asked me what I want to do!

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by Mark Eaton I’ve always been drawn to folks who leave behind a legacy of love and faith. As I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, I saw

I think about my wife’s family, and I see strong ties that bind the generations together.

I bet you’ve felt that for your own family, too—you want to make sure you’re building a solid foundation for your children and loved ones to live happy and healthy lives for many years to come.

How do you consciously work toward the foundations of a good legacy?

LONGEVITY

Spending our lives trying to improve ourselves and the relationships we have with others is like training for a marathon.

Parents and loved ones who remain constant and committed, loyal and loving over many seasons will lay a foundation that will serve countless generations in the future.

Mark with his wife, Susie McEntire Eaton, sister-in-law Reba McEntire, and mother-in-law Jacqueline

families who were pillars of the community embody this trait, and I wanted to be just like them.

Start children off on the

FOCUS

Keep your eyes on your loved ones, and be present for them.

Staying focused on raising solid children will shape them into parents who will do the same for their children someday. A clear focus on being a legendary friend, cousin, aunt or uncle, son or daughter will help you mark the hearts of your loved ones forever.

I had a ministry once that we called Legacy Northwest. My vision was to help men think about the four generations coming after them, and to live in a way that created a positive impact for family members they may never meet. Let’s live in such a way that maybe one day down the road, someone might credit our longevity, good actions, and focus as a legacy they’d like to live into themselves.

way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

–PROVERBS 22:6 NIV 17

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to watch Mark's Jesus Calling "Men's Minutes" video series!

C O R N E R

Creating Legacy with Strong Relationships

Legacies are formed when a pattern of small actions are repeated over the course of many years. We don’t have to make millions of dollars or quarterback the New England Patriots to have a good legacy. But we do need to cultivate a spirit of service that remembers to check in with loved ones to see who could use our help—and keep doing that over and over again. Loyalty, consistency, and integrity are key ingredients for performing good actions for a lifetime.

P A S T O R ’ S

GOOD ACTIONS

working, living, and loving together For decades, husband-and-wife authors

First things first: how did you two meet?

and publishing partners Jack and Marsha

JACK: I was a manager of a health club. We were hiring women to work on the floor as instructors, and lo and behold, Marsha shows up looking for a job. I was also a lecturer on the Dallas Morning News, and I needed somebody to help me with instruction. I asked Marsha to come help me, and we would have coffee afterwards. And it led to us starting to go out together.

Countryman have worked side by side, inspiring millions of people with their work and with their marriage. Our editor sat down with Jack and Marsha to talk about how they started their publishing company, J. Countryman, at their

MARSHA: I was very impressed with him because he was an excellent salesman, but I saw a softer side to him. That’s what drew me to him, and how he loved the Lord.

kitchen table almost forty years ago, not knowing what to expect or where God was going to lead them, and how they’ve been able to keep their

JACK: We got married October 29, 1965. And it’s been a joy ever since.

marriage strong after five decades.

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learned to listen to my wife, and she’s number one in my life.

“ answer for God has the everything. Just seek it.

You’ll find it.

That’s wonderful! How did you go from the health club business to publishing?

MARSHA: I did have to learn to speak up for myself, because he’s such a dynamic person and aggressive and charging ahead. God just made a way for us to realize the strengths in each other, and to care about the other person more than we do ourselves. We pray together every day, and we pray together all the time. We have a real respect for one another, and we’ve had a lot of hard knocks that we’ve worked through. But here we are, 55 years later.

JACK: In 1981, I was sitting in the living room of Roger McDuff, a gospel singer, and he mentioned he had a promise book. And I looked at it and I thought, I think I could do that. At the time, I was teaching single parents from the Bible and I would say to them, “God has the answer for everything. Just seek it. You’ll find it.”

That started our trip into the publishing business.

We published that book in December 1981, and we printed 11,000 books. I never will forget this: we sold 10,000 copies.

A year and a half later, we came up with the God’s Answers series. And then we had God’s Gift for Mothers, God’s Power for Fathers, God’s Promises for Graduates and so on, always taking the Word of God and arranging scriptures topically oriented to the needs of people— that was our secret. Eventually we sold more than 20 million books.

Adapted for print from Jack and Marsha’s interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

MARSHA: They just fit the needs of people in various categories, in various situations they were in. And at one time, Jack went to meet Pope John Paul II and showed God’s Promises to him. That was quite a turning point for us, to be able to branch out and just reach whoever we could with the Word of God.

You can find God’s Promises for Graduates, Class of 2020 at your favorite book retailer today.

“ secret of I’ve found the marriage is to lift up your partner at all times.

You’ve been married and working together for more than five decades. What’s the secret to your partnership?

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to hear more of Jack and Marsha's story!

JACK: I’ve found the secret of marriage is to lift up your partner at all times. Listen to her. Respect her. I’ve 19

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Celebrating

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those closest to your Heart

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Redefining Ioy when the bottom falls out Kay Warren is the co-founder of Saddleback Church with her husband, Rick. For more than ten years, Kay has been a tireless advocate for those living with mental illness in tribute to her son, Matthew.

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by Kay Warren

root in my life, and that changed me.

I don’t even remember when I first encountered Jesus Calling, but I’ve relied on it in some difficult situations. I’ve got the app, and so if I don’t read it at home, I’m reading my app.

There’s one passage in particular I go back to over and over and over. And it says:

ONE OF THE GREATEST JOYS OF MY LIFE HAS BEEN BEING A MOM. We have three kids: Amy, Josh, and Matthew. Josh and Amy are just amazing human beings. They’ve got little people themselves now, so I’m a grandma—it’s the best thing in the world.

But Matthew, our youngest, we knew from a really early age that he was different from his siblings.

At age 7, Matthew was diagnosed with depression.

He suffered from suicidal ideation when he was 12.

In the years that followed, he would be diagnosed with ADHD, early-onset bipolar disorder, OCD, body dysmorphic disorder, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder.

I am leading you, step by step, through your life. Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day.

Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy-–even precarious.

This is how it should be.

“ takes such Mental illness a toll on families. And our family was struggling right along with him.

The day I read that passage for the first time, I was worried about Matthew. He was in a particularly bad season, and I wanted to know what the future held. And when I read this passage, I was like, Whoa. It convicts me and comforts me all at once.

When Matthew eventually took his life on April 5th, 2013, it was the Kay and Matthew , 2013 worst day of my life. And when he died, we were faced with confronting on the deepest level ever, What do we really believe about God? Is He truly good?

Even though he was so ill, he was also this amazing guy. He was funny and creative and deeply compassionate for other people who suffer. He had a huge, tender heart for other people in pain. But he just kept getting worse.

Probably two or three years before he died, I realized that as his mom, it was taking such a toll on me. Mental illness takes such a toll on families. And our family was struggling right along with him.

So I did a really intense study of scripture, and I came to realize that I had defined joy wrong. I was defining it based on how I felt. If it seemed like a good day, then I could experience joy. But if Matthew had a hard day or something else went wrong in my life, then I didn’t have joy. Come to find out, as I look at scripture, it’s so much more than that.

Happiness will not be enough when the bottom falls out. Happiness will evaporate, but joy can stay.

When I decided I could count on God’s character, that I could count on God’s goodness, that I could count on God’s control in my life, even when life seemed to spiral out of control—that’s when joy began to take

God has this “ way of working in the places where we feel ruined.

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Connect with people in your life who love you. Seek help at your church. Look for resources that can help you or your loved one: the National Alliance of Mental Illness is a free resource where you can get tons of information. My website, kaywarren.com, has all kinds of things I didn’t know how to find when I had a family member struggling with mental illness.

So wherever you are and whatever you’re struggling with, don’t be alone. Don’t give up hope.

And look for the resources and help—because there’s always hope.

Adapted for print from Kay's interview on Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith video series.

Kay and her husband, Rick at Saddleback Church

I remember saying so many times, “My life is ruined. It can never be good again.” And what I will tell you is that life will never be the same again—but it can be good again. God has this way of working in the places where we feel ruined, where we feel like our lives have been shattered, and He does rebuild.

If you or a family member are struggling today with mental illness, I just want to know you’re not alone, and there is hope. And please don’t isolate yourself. It’s a natural thing that we do when we’re feeling sad or anxious. Sometimes we’re afraid our friends and family won’t love us, or they’ll think we’re weird if we tell them how much we’re struggling. But that just increases our sense of anxiety and loneliness and depression.

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to watch Kay's story.

THERE’S HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, there is free and confidential support for you.

Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to receive prevention and crisis resources.

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Kay’s book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough, is available from your favorite book retailer today.

EMILY LEY is the founder of Simplified, a brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women. Emily has been featured in Forbes, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Glamour, and Good Housekeeping. Emily lives in Pensacola, Florida with her husband, Bryan, and their son Brady (9) and twins Tyler and Caroline (5).

Faith to Go Beyond the Comfort Zone

Growing up in the Bay Area in the 1960s, Dr. Rigsby, then called Ricky, watched his parents live out the values they instilled in their sons.

and Become Who You’re Meant to Be

“ How you do anything is how you do everything.

by Abigail Nibblett

“My father always used to say to me, ‘Son, you’d rather be an hour early than a minute late.’ He was a cook who had the breakfast shift at California Maritime Academy. He had to be at the academy

Becoming who you were created to be is hard, especially as a young adult launching into the world.

When graduates accept their diplomas and walk offstage, they quickly find themselves navigating unfamiliar waters, trying hard to make friends and pay bills and discover the life they’ve always dreamed of. Almost immediately, doing life well can feel overwhelming.

Motivational speaker and bestselling author Dr. Rick Rigsby shares a secret to forging ahead: when we get back to the basics, we can lead a life that’s not only worth living, but will positively impact others.

He learned this secret from the wisest man he ever met: a third-grade dropout who happened to be his very own father.

“I have four degrees, and my brother is a presidential appointee judge. We weren’t the smartest ones in our family,” declares Dr. Rigsby.

Dr. Rigsby's parents 26

at 5:00 in the morning, and it was only 15 minutes from our home. My mother said for over 30 years, he left at 3:45 in the morning. And one day she said, ‘Daddy, why do you leave so early?’ And his response was, ‘One of these days, one of my boys will catch me in the act of excellence.’ What he was really saying is how you do anything is how you do everything. It’s never wrong to do the right thing.”

Both of Dr. Rigsby’s parents helped their sons identify their talents and chase after their dreams.

“All I wanted to do was talk. So my father and mother said, ‘Ricky, you can’t just be on the football team. You have to be the captain of the football team. You can’t just be a student in junior high school. You have to be the president, because the leader talks.’

“And I couldn’t just be a member of the junior usher board at church. I had to be the president, and I hated every minute of it.

But my parents knew that if they could put me in a situation where I could grow my God-given gift, it would help me in the future. So all of a sudden, here I am, eight years old, welcoming visitors every Sunday.

Why? Because my parents were thinking twenty, thirty, forty years ahead.

They were preparing me to impact the world.”

“

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. RIGSBY'S PERSONAL ARCHIVES , ISTOCK

We live in a culture that would rather live good than be good.

A former professor at Texas A&M, Dr. Rigsby spent many years watching young people dream the way he once did about the ways they would impact the world. And he’s found a common ingredient that can help anyone make their mark.

“We live in a culture that would rather live good than be good, so the most important thing I could say to graduates is to grow your influence.

And that has nothing to do with what your hair looks like or your physical shape. It has everything to do with executing basics. Are you telling the truth? Are you dependable? Are you looking out for other people? Formulated together, those things have tremendous blunt force that can cause you to impact another life.”

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been on the mountaintop or dancing on the rooftop.

The greatest lessons I’ve ever learned have been the result of being in the pit. So for anyone facing a new challenge, fail on a regular basis—because failure truly grows our dependence on God.” Adapted for print from Dr. Rigsby’s upcoming interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

Top Tips from a Third-Grade Dropout Dr. Rigsby speaking at Ignite men's conference

Since he was a boy, one of the largest driving forces in Dr. Rigsby’s life was his strong faith. Over the years, he’s watched his faith slowly shift the way he views himself and the world.

“ me to Faith encourages go beyond my comfort zone.

“I’m 63 years old, and for many years, I made life about myself. I was very successful, and the problem with successful people is sometimes they start to believe their own press. Faith can come in and ground that. I find that without faith, I’m left to my own vices, and I’ll choose to serve God when it’s comfortable and when it’s convenient. But faith says, “Nuh-uh. Get out of your comfort zone.

“Faith tells me to go talk to the truck driver when I don’t want to talk to. Faith tells me to pull off my headphones after I preach the revival, and I’m on an airplane, and all I want to do is fall asleep. Faith encourages me to go beyond my comfort zone to encourage the people of Jesus.

“There are mountaintops and there are valleys.

There are high times when you’re on the rooftop dancing, and then there are times when you’re in the pit. The greatest lessons I’ve ever learned have not

❑

Always be kind.

❑

Make sure your servant’s towel is bigger than your ego.

❑

If you’re going to do a job, do it right.

❑

Do what you say you’re going to do.

❑

Remember that you’ll never look into the eyes of someone God doesn’t love.

Dr. Rigsby’s book, Lessons from a Third Grade Dropout, is available Dropout wherever books are sold.

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TRY YOUR HAND AT JOURNALING! Set t ing G oa ls for a New Sea son 1. Think about the basic skills you learned growing up. Which ones are still part of your life? As you enter a new season, how can you see these skills adding value to you?

2. Write down three basic skills you want to master. How will adding those skills help you reach bigger goals?

3. Think about the people in your life. How can you make sure you’re watching out for them and using your inuence in positive ways?

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A Father, His Son, and What Matters Most CRAIG MORGAN REMEMBERS THE IMPORTANT THINGS

by Laura Neutzling Craig Morgan never set out to be a country music star, but God had more in store for him than he could have ever imagined.

The 55-year-old singer, songwriter, and part-time reality television host was greatly influenced by his Nashville upbringing and by his father, a bass player featured on The Ralph Emery Show and other country music programs. But during his younger years, Craig dreamed of a different life.

“I joined the military, ironically enough, to get away from home, not to leave the family. I had a great family life—I just wanted to do something different.

And I’ve always felt like I had this different sense of respect for our soldiers. Looking back, I know that it was God leading me, but that’s what really pushed me into the military.”

Craig’s faith was instilled at a young age. “I grew up in a church-going, faithful Christian family. Not to 30

say that we were perfect by any means—far from it.

But I’ve always had that foundation, that cornerstone of faith in Christ in our lives.”

Following his seventeen-year military career, Craig found himself led back toward the music of his roots. But his country music pedigree didn’t make the journey any easier.

“For me, the progression of my career in music, we didn't have American Idol, The Voice and all of these things that we have now that launch—actually catapult—careers. It was a slow build. We had country radio. That was it. And that's where careers were made and broken. And I was very fortunate that my success was gradual.”

Eighteen Top 10 songs, ni ne albums and multiple awards later, Craig reflects on how this “gradual” success kept him focused on what was really important.

“My life did not depend on the success of my music. I’m grateful for every second of it—to the fans, the industry—and I love it. But my life is not dependent on that. If you depend on it solely, you lose perspective. And when you’re focused on God, family, country—when your career revolves around what’s important, I think your career will last longer.”

5718 likes cmorganmusic The loss of our son Jerry is the hardest thing we have ever had to endure as a family. Karen and I are so grateful for all of the wonderful people who have shown us unwavering support during this difficult time. There are too many to name here, but we are especially thankful for the Humphreys County Sheriff and Fire Departments, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and all the additional agencies and volunteers who turned out to bring our son home. We would also like to thank our friends, family members, and Jerry's friends who have all shown us an immense amount of love and support.

Additionally, we cannot thank the music and outdoor communities enough for wrapping their arms around us, as well as our industry friends, fans, and all those that loved our son. We are blessed by the outpouring of prayers and condolences from across the world.

Jerry may be gone from this earth, and we will miss him every day, but his spirit will live on in our hearts.

We will find peace knowing that God has a bigger plan, and that one day, we'll be reunited with him again in Heaven. John 3:16 – Craig

PHOTO CREDITS: CONNOR DWYER, MORGAN'S PERSONAL ARCHIVES, ISTOCK.

“ My whole life revolves around my family. So when you lose a part of that, there’s a space in you that’s really hard to fill.

That rock-solid family structure and faith would go on to be a much needed place to lean on when Craig’s world turned upside down in 2016, when he learned his 19-year-old son, Jerry, had been killed in a boating accident.

“That brought me down more than anything that’s ever happened to me. It’s just a lot of sadness. My whole life revolves around my family. So when you lose a part of that, there’s a space in you that’s really hard to fill.”

In the days that followed, Craig, his wife Karen, and their whole family were lifted up by the outpouring of prayers and support they received.

July 20, 2016

Craig wrote of his gratefulness to those who expressed their sympathies through a post on his Instagram page shortly after they laid their son to rest.

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sentiments about the healing power of the song.

Since that time, Craig has gotten countless messages from folks who say the song has helped them find hope in a time of loss.

“There’s no doubt this song has had an impact beyond anything I’ve ever done musically. I got a Facebook message from a guy who said, ‘I’m not a big believer. Haven’t lost anyone. Dropped my daughter off at school today. Heard the song, pulled off on the side of the road, cried and prayed for the first time in my life.’ That’s God—that’s how He uses everything.”

As Craig and his family continue to heal from their loss, they are moving forward with their lives and have come together for another project they hope will uplift people: a new series on Circle TV that focuses on their family life—onstage and off—called Craig’s World. Craig has a new record coming out in the spring, and also has plans for a tour.

Craig thinks of Jerry every single day, but he’s comforted by memories of his son and feels his presence daily. And when it comes to encouraging others as they deal with their own trials and losses, he has this to say: “No matter where you’re at in your life, whether on the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan, or whether you’re walking down the street struggling with personal loss in your life—when you have that relationship with Christ, you have faith to rely on. And even in those times—especially in those times—Christ is there.”

As it often does for musicians, some of Craig’s healing came through music. He describes how his song “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost,” written in tribute to his son, came to life.

“When I lost Jerry, I felt like I didn’t know enough about God—I needed to know more to understand what was going on. So I started studying. And in the process of doing this, I really started getting into the historical foundation of our Christian faith. And in just one night, about 3:00 a.m., God laid it on me. God wrote this song. I did not write this song.”

Adapted for print from Craig’s upcoming interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

This song “ has had an impact beyond anything I’ve ever done musically.

You can find Craig’s single “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” at your favorite retailer or streaming provider.

When Craig’s country music colleagues caught wind of the song, the groundswell of support was instant. His good friend Blake Shelton tweeted to his 21 million followers to download the song, and fellow celebrities like Luke Combs, Ricky Skaggs, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, and Carson Daly echoed their 32

The Secret to Parenting Adult Children

by Dr. Jim Burns

(hint: keep your mouth shut and the welcome mat out ) Parents who have adult children are living out an important lesson: they’re relearning how to parent.

I oftentimes say to other parents, “You’re fired as a day-today parent.” Now your role moves from adult-child to adult-adult, and it doesn’t happen in one day.

I still have opinions about my daughters, who are 30, 31, and 34—but sometimes I just have to hold my mouth shut.

Here’s what I’ve learned about doing life well with your adult children in this new season.

Unsolicited advice is usually taken as criticism.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ISTOCK

My daughter Christy and her husband Steve, who are incredibly capable people, were moving from California to Texas. It was really stressful, and she and Steve were having a debate on how they were going to do the move.

I said, “Hey, can I give you my opinion?”

My daughter looks up at me and goes, “Not now, Dad.” And I’m going, Wait a minute.

People pay me to give them advice.

And you, my daughter, are not asking for it?

Later on, she kind of circled back around said, “Hey, what were what were you going to suggest?”

And it worked out great. But at that moment, I realized, I just need to bite my tongue. That was so hard to do as a parent.

You're fi“red as a day-to-day parent.

To understand their kids, parents should become students of the culture.

Millennials often have different views than their parents, so it’s really interesting for the parents to engage with someone who has been raised in a very different culture.

Parents should keep in mind that Millennials are shaped by technology. They view tolerance as one of the major traits of a loving person. And Millennials are meandering toward responsibility.

Once they get married, they’re really serious about their marriages. I say that’s great.

to your kids. Tough love says you should surround them with love.

And while you surround them with love, you don’t bail them out, and you don’t dump your anger and frustration on them.

I think the biggest question kids are asking when they’re rebelling is, “Do you still love me?” Somehow, you’ve got to be able to express love, even though you don’t express agreement with them.

Adapted for print from Dr. Burns’ interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to hear more of Dr. Burns' story!

You can support grown children, even when you don't support their values.

This is one of the hardest lessons to learn, and we often try to deal with it through “tough love.” But tough love doesn’t mean you quit talking 33

Dr. Burns’ book, Doing Life with Your Adult Children, is available now.

I

Will1 SURVIVE

Gloria Gaynor’s Tests Turn into Her Testimony

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by Celeste Winstead There’s a verse in the Bible that says to “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds.”

Legendary singer, songwriter, and author Gloria Gaynor has experienced the reality of that verse firsthand. She knows what it is like to walk through hard times, standing only on faith. Those tests have now become her testimony of God’s peace and strength.

which had been the fulfillment of her childhood dreams. A few months earlier, she’d had spine surgery following an accident that left her unable to move from the waist down, and that particular day she was recording songs in a back brace. She had no way to pay rent because of her medical bills. And as she looked at the words on the paper bag in front of her, she thought about her mother’s death a few years earlier, an event she thought she would never survive, but somehow she found the strength to endure.

“I was just leaving my problems up to Him,” she recalls. “I was fully assured that God would do something. I just didn’t know what. I’ve often heard people say, ‘God won’t put more on you than you can handle.’ If you will call on Him, ask for His help, and then take His direction, He will bring you through whatever.”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GLORIA'S PERSONAL ARCHIVES, ALEX ARROYO

“ ‘I Will Survive’ I’ve always believed celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit.

The Queen of Disco, who gave the world the motivational anthem “I Will Survive” in 1978, knew the song was timeless the moment she read the lyrics one day in a recording studio. The words had been scrawled on a brown paper bag, and when Gloria read those lyrics, she immediately related to them. She was on the brink of losing her recording contract,

She went on to record the song, and not only did the songstress survive, she thrived in her career as the now-legendary song inspired people around the world. “I think I’ve always believed ‘I Will Survive’ celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit, a God-given ability to—of course, with His help—overcome anything,” she says. “And Jesus Calling has given me the perfect thing to remember that. On May 18th, it says something like, ‘Forget about your plans for the day. Seek My plan for your day, because if you don’t, you’re going to miss all of the wonderful things that I prepared for you.’ I’m following that every day, because that’s what I want to do. I want to make sure that I’m in God’s plan.”

As her career gained momentum, Gloria lost her compass as she tried

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to fit into “the in crowd” and live up to the expectations of being in the spotlight. While at a party, she felt the Holy Spirit grab her collar and say to her, “You know you’re not supposed to be doing that. Get away. That’s enough.”

“ how He is It is incredible always there for you.

Gloria never looked back. She went home, pulled out a Bible, blew the dust off and sat down. Her life was transformed as she began to spend quiet time with God in the Bible and learned more about His love for her.

“He is so faithful,” she says. “It is incredible how He is always there for you.”

That message is found on her recent GRAMMY Award-winning gospel album, Testimony, which features performances by Christian recording artists Jason Crabb and Bart Millard, and gospel singer Yolanda Adams.

“There are a lot of people today who need to know that whatever it is you’re going through, God is there for you. And this album has a message for everybody: stay on the path, keep the faith, and know that He won’t let go.”

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to watch more of Gloria's story!

You can find Gloria’s GRAMMY Award-winning album, Testimony, at your favorite music retailer or streaming provider.

Adapted for print from Gloria's interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

Share the gift of peace in His presence with your

Spanish-speaking loved ones

AVA I L A B L E W H E R E V E R B O O K S A R E S O L D.

jesuscalling.com/books 36

M U S I C

Family Bonds Forged on a Bus FATHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS ARE SPECIAL, and Mark Miller and Madison Brown’s bond is no exception. After spending time with Mark, lead singer of country group Sawyer Brown and producer of Christian rock band Casting Crowns, and his daughter who hosts a travel show on RFD-TV called Chasing Down Madison Brown, you’ll quickly discover their relationship is steeped in trust and respect—and lots of laughter.

The Miller family has always been close, but they might argue they had to be, just by virtue of spending their early years traveling together by bus. Near the beginning of Mark’s music career, when Sawyer Brown shot to fame after winning Star Search, he and his wife Lisa decided instead of keeping the family apart while Mark went on tour, they’d make a tour bus their home on the road (that’s with two adults, two kids and a golden retriever).

“We literally packed up everything and put it on the bus like The Beverly Hillbillies,” Madison remembers.

“There is not a lot of ‘me time’ on a bus.

But I think that was really good, because you couldn’t escape, so you had to learn to deal with each other. We were always taught one of the greatest verses in the Bible was, ‘Love your sibling.’ That was reiterated many a time.”

“It was a conscious effort to make life as normal

as possible,” Mark says. “And we were really strict on the kids. I had been around a lot of the celebrities’ kids, and I thought, You know what? I don’t ever want them to grow up and think that they’re entitled. I want them to grow up the way that I did, to know that if you’re willing to work, you can achieve anything you want to. But you have to work to get it.”

As they crisscrossed the country, the Millers spent many hours in Bible study and prayer together. And today, they still make time to check in with each other about their faith. “My mother has decided to integrate Jesus Calling and technology together with these lovely family group texts,” Madison explains.

“It’s become not only a great way for all of us to have a good daily devotional, but at the same time, it’s a great way to stay together as a family. And sometimes Mom will not-so-subtly let us know that, ‘The Jesus Calling devotion today really pertains to you and what’s going on in your life.

And you could use some of that.’”

Mark laughs. “I hope she doesn’t see this, but she’s usually right.”

Adapted for print from Mark and Madison’s interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast.

Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to hear more of Mark and Madison's story!

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S P O T L I G H T

PHOTO COURTSEY OF MILLER'S PERSONAL ARCHIVES, ISTOCK

by Judy Blair

Create a Calm and Cozy Space to Tuck in Your “Darling Dears” If you walk into a Target or Anthropologie store, chances are you’ll see something painted by visual artist and mom of three Amy Kavelaris. Along with her new children’s book Good Night, My Darling Dear, Amy has a few tips to create a bedtime space that will carry little ones to dreamland.

� KEEP IT COZY WITH TONS OF LAYERED TEXTURE.

We use pom-pom throws, tasseled pillows, inexpensive slip covers, and adorable ruffled bedding to get this look.

� IT'S ALL ABOUT THE SOFT GLOW FOR OUR GIRLS.

I zip-tied twinkle lights inside their reading nook, then added my great-granny’s bedside lamps for soft sparkle.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROOTEDFAMILY.COM, THE ONLINE HUB FOR ALL THINGS PARENTING.

Get instant access to the members-only RootedFamily.com community so that you can ask questions, get support, and feel inspired by people who are on the same parenting journey as you are. See more from Rooted Family by subscribing to their YouTube Page!

Facebook Group: @RootedFamily

Instagram: @RootedFamily

�

IT’S EASY TO TRANSFORM A ROOM

WITH FURNITURE YOU ALREADY HAVE.

As kids grow older, rework their crib into a daybed. Add an inexpensive canopy, and voilà! A cozy napping spot.

�

MAKE TIME TO GATHER FOR

PRAYER AND READING EVERY NIGHT.

PHOTOS COURTSEY OF AMY KAVELARIS AND SUSAN DAGGET OF KINDRED VILLAGE CO.

Consistency creates comfort, and kids will begin to know just how much they’re loved by their Creator.

Good Night, My Darling Dear by Amy Kavelaris is available wherever books are sold.

�

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN!

Whether a lovely plant or fresh flowers, a bit of nature helps to calm little ones. “Emily Deer” available in print or canvas from Amy’s shop at bloomprintsstudio.com.

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Put your phone in Camera mode and hover over this code to hear Amy's story.

zles z u p

Games & Puzzles Ou

r

treat your family like friends and your friends like family

LEVEL 1

Word Ladders Change the order of the letters.

And PS: you need a common English word at each step.

remind us of the e u s s i his for t

joyof fa m

Word Scramble Unscramble each of the clue words. Take the letters that appear in –– boxes and unscramble them for the final message.

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

Seed _______________

Flour _______________

Lose _______________

_______________

_______________

_______________

_______________ _______________ Tree

_______________ _______________ Bread

Word Search Activity Associate Blessing Bond Company Connect Emotion Empathy Faith Family Friend Fulfill Goodness Gratitude Home Interact Joy

_______________

Lift Lifted Listen Mindful Network Peace Positive Presence Quality Relax Renew Strengthen Support Talk Time Together Unplug

Find the answers at RootedFamily.com/freebies, or hover your phone in Camera mode over the code to get answers.

_______________ Find

ily!

Share God’s love with your children with this devotion from Jesus Calling for Kids!

June 2

YOU ARE MY CHILD Now we are children of God. —1 John 3:2 I AM GOD, AND YOU ARE MY CHILD. And like so many parents on earth, I want you to grow up to be like Me. To become more like Me, you need to spend time with Me. Relax in My Presence, while I work in your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries so that you can receive My Peace. Be still, and know that I am God. Don’t worry about what others think. Don’t worry about what’s “cool” or “in.” And don’t be like the Pharisees in the Bible. They got so wrapped up in their own rules that they lost sight of Me. Keep your eyes on Me, and remember how much I love you.

This helps you love Me and also love others with My Love.

READ ON YOUR OWN Psalm 46:10

Find this new girls edition of Jesus Calling for Kids at your favorite book retailer today.

Excerpted from Jesus Calling for Kids, copyright 2010 by Sarah Young. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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