Joyful Journey

How can Christians grow in discernment without becoming cynical and critical of the world around them? In this age where the truth can be hard to find, discernment is a skill that is equally as difficult to develop. 

In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn discuss discernment and how important it is to use scripture to decide how to interact with the world without becoming critical, cynical, and antagonistic.

What is everyone in this weary world looking for? Rest for their souls. And though we often seek that peace and satisfaction in lesser things, the only remedy that will truly satisfy can only be found in Jesus Christ, as demonstrated in the Scripture.

Joining us this episode is Dale Johnson, Executive Director of the Association of Biblical Counselors and host of the Truth in Love podcast. Listen as he shares with us the vital importance of seeking to have the heart of Christ in the midst of an abnormal world. 

Today on the podcast, we talk with Brad Bigney about helping people who struggle with doubt in their Christian walk. 

Many Christians find themselves struggling to believe. Life’s hardships can often cause us to question God, His love, and His authority. Scripture has much to say about doubt and has answers for those of us who have times where we struggle to believe. We pray that this discussion will help you to counsel yourself and others when doubt creeps into the Christian life. 

In a world that is constantly redefining the lines of good and evil, Christians are called to a higher standard. As followers of Jesus, God expects us to set our morality according to His Word - and what HE says is right and good, not what is right and good in our own eyes. 

This episode, Janet and Jocelyn will define what true righteousness looks like and how we can hold fast to God’s ways amidst the shifting sands of our culture’s fluctuating morality.

In light of Easter weekend, we are releasing a special episode with Janet's husband, Pastor Brent Aucoin, who joins us again to share his wisdom from the Old Testament and to help us ponder an important question:

Where is the resurrection of the anticipated Messiah predicted in the Old Testament? The answer may surprise you... Listen to hear how the OT leads toward the absolute necessity of the resurrection.

Also, our new memory verse for this next quarter will be Psalm 89:14-17.

Grief is an inescapable part of the human experience. As Christians living in a broken world, sometimes we encounter situations which don’t seem to fit with what we want or expect God to do. 

Today, we welcome special guest Mark Vroegop, the author of the book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy, to discuss our biblical response to grief and how to lament in line with the teachings of the scriptures.

Aging is a difficult process and can cause fear and worry for many. How can we prepare our hearts for the challenges that may come with aging? Join us this week as Janet and Jocelyn are joined by special guest Dr. Amy Baker, author and Biblical Counselor, to discuss the biblical view of aging. Amy helps us understand our purpose in this season of life and reminds us that God’s grace is not dependent upon what we do. He has a perfect plan for every period of life.

Our hosts, Janet & Jocelyn, had a unique opportunity to record a special live episode at our church’s Biblical Counseling Training Conference in Lafayette, Indiana. In addition to discussing how everyone is a counselor, Janet and Jocelyn answer audience questions submitted online and in-person. We enjoyed meeting many of our listeners and we hope this can be a blessing to those who weren’t able to attend live. For more information about the Biblical Training Conference, follow this link: faithlafayette.org/BCTC.

The Christian life can be a difficult road, especially if your husband doesn’t follow God’s Word. Does the Bible have anything to say about how to live with an ungodly husband?

Janet and Jocelyn discuss ways the Bible tells us to interact with a husband who doesn’t want to grow or be Christ-like. Through a foundation of a right view of God, wives can still glorify God in the midst of a difficult marriage by seeing hard things from Christ’s perspective and considering the desires of their hearts.

Everyone experiences moments of anger, and when left unchecked, it can easily turn into bitterness—a resentful anger dwelling in one’s heart. How can God’s Word help us to defeat bitterness in our counselee’s or our own heart?

In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn interview special guest Steve Viars, Senior Pastor of Faith Church in Lafayette, IN. They discuss Pastor Viars’ book called “Overcoming Bitterness,” and share biblical principles to guide us as we consider this important heart issue.

At the beginning of each year, people are excited and motivated to set new goals and become better in different areas of their lives. Often those looking for change in the new year strive for perfection, and give up when they get burned out or make mistakes. It is wise to set goals and work toward positive change, but Christians often lose sight of the ultimate motivation of glorifying God. In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn discuss the topic of ordinary faithfulness, how to be faithful in our day to day lives and in our relationship with the Lord.

By popular demand, IT’S BACK! We have a treat in store for you today in the form of our second annual Ask Us Anything episode, where we take questions from you, our listeners, and answer as many as we can throughout the episode!

You asked us questions like,

As always, a big thank you to our listeners and social media followers for your input, questions, and support this year. We are so thankful the Lord has blessed us with this sweet community!

Christmas is almost here! For many of us, the frantic pace of the season crowds out the celebration of Christ’s birth. Join Janet and Jocelyn as they take some time to slow down and contemplate Christ and his incarnation. Listen in as they discuss the beauty and glory of Christ and how it shines so brightly at Christmas.

We all encounter people who try to manipulate our actions or emotions for their own purposes. How does Scripture call us to respond to those who try to manipulate others around them? In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn explore the heart behind manipulative behavior and discuss ways to come alongside those who try to control others and respond with Christ-likeness.

It’s Thanksgiving week, and this week’s episode is a little different! Janet and Jocelyn interview each other about all the goodness and grace that God has shown to them this year. We hope you enjoy this more informal chat as we praise our Good Shepherd for the amazing ways He has blessed us.

This episode, we tackle one of our most requested topics: navigating the relationship between adult children and parents. As children grow up and leave the home, the relationship between child and parent changes and develops in ways that can be difficult to navigate with grace and wisdom.

Today, Janet and Jocelyn offer biblical guidance and wisdom on practical ways that both adult parents and their children can build healthy boundaries and foster a respectful, loving relationship that honors the Lord.

As a Christian, there is perhaps no greater story you will ever tell than the story of how you came to know and love the Lord. But many of us are not great orators, speech writers, or gifted natural communicators.

This week, Janet and Jocelyn discuss why sharing our testimony - the story of what God has done in and through our lives - is an important skill that we as believers should hone and develop so God’s glory shines through stronger and brighter than our own accomplishments, trials, or circumstances.

Sooner or later, we are all touched by grief. It’s part of living in a world broken by sin. When we have a friend who is in the throes of grief, our usual instinct is to want to help ease their suffering. But how?

Gail McGinty joins Janet and Jocelyn in this week’s episode to discuss practical ways to say and do (and what to avoid) as we work to provide comfort to those who are grieving.

Sexual intimacy is one of the most beautiful pictures of the relationship between Christ and the church. Sin has twisted and deformed biblical sex into something that God never intended.

In today’s episode, Janet and Jocelyn discuss how God designed sexual intimacy to be a beautiful expression of love within a marriage relationship. 

Chronic pain is a problem that many people live with each day. How can Christians honor Christ in the middle of such debilitating suffering?

Today, Janet and Jocelyn interview special guest Dr. Criag Svensson, the author of the book When There is No Cure. He is a trained pharmacist who is also an adjunct professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. In this episode they discuss how Christians should respond and react to the difficulties that come from chronic pain.

Forgiving those who have hurt us can be one of the most difficult challenges as a Christian. In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn link Christ’s forgiving heart with our own to show that we can follow Christ’s example in how we forgive one another.

Our God is infinite, but he has created us with limits in our daily lives. In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn unpack scriptures that help us to understand how we can glorify God in spite of limitations of time and money.

Many Christians struggle with an anxious heart that can lead to panic attacks. How can we as Christians consider this often overlooked symptom of an anxious heart? In this episode, Jocelyn & Janet discuss how to handle anxiety and panic attacks with a biblical perspective.

Marriage is the closest human relationship we could ever experience... Which means, as fallen sinners, husbands and wives get a front row seat to each other's exposed sin on a regular basis.

In this episode, Brent and Janet discuss how healthy marriages should be a safe space — not for sin to persist— but one where sinners can receive compassion and help from each other as they fight sin together.

God’s word is sufficient to guide us in our daily lives. There are many scriptures that can be go-to passages to help us in the problems that we face. Today we welcome Kevin Carson to discuss his five favorite scripture passages that he often uses in counseling. This episode will be encouraging for counselors and counselees alike.

The word “worship” can cause many thoughts and emotions in different Christian circles. Today we welcome Josh Aucoin as we discuss the topic of worship. We’ll discuss the “why” behind worship, and what corporate worship really means to God and others around us in our churches.

When we talk about defending our faith, often the discussion of science comes into the mix sooner or later. So today, we'll tackle this hot button topic head-on: Are the Bible and science really opposed to each other, as our culture often says? How can a basic knowledge of science help us understand WHY we believe? And how does the gospel fit in here?

In part 2 of our Apologetics mini-series, we welcome our good friend, scientist and pastor's wife Tirzah Birk, to discuss these questions about Science in Apologetics.

Believer, are you prepared to defend your faith? Our dear friend Alexandra is back as a guest this week to kick off our mini series on apologetics! This episode, Alexandra joins Janet to discuss 1 Peter 3:15 and how we as believers can answer the biblical call to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us.

Do you have a friend who is suffering? You may desperately long to encourage them, but it’s often hard to know where to begin... This episode's special guest, speaker and author Caroline Newheiser, joins Jocelyn and Janet to offer biblical wisdom on discerning what to say to loved ones who are worried, weary, wayward, or weeping - and how friendships based on Scripture can have a lasting impact through all seasons of life.

You know you want to dig into God’s Word. But… where to begin? Our special guest, Sandy Esgar, joins Jocelyn and Janet this week to share some basic Bible study principles that will encourage you to grow deeper in your understanding of Scripture.

A special guest joins us today to wrap up our mini series on parenting, with a look into how to care for our children with special needs. Rita Jamison will share her wisdom on how the Lord has equipped us through His Word and a relationship with Him to love those who are often isolated and hurting.

In part two of our mini series on parenting, Janet and Jocelyn return this week to discuss how to bring up our children in the Lord in a way that honors and glorifies God through daily connections to the Gospel.

Main Passage: Ephesians 6:4

We want to make it easy for our children to choose righteousness. It's not our job to MAKE them choose righteousness, but as Christian parents, we want to intentionally create an environment in our home that showcases the beauty and superiority of God's ways. So how do we go about doing that?

In part one of our mini-series on Parenting, Janet and Jocelyn discuss the foundational principles of how to parent biblically.

Repentance is a word that is used so often in Christian circles, but what is it exactly? This week, Janet and Jocelyn discuss true repentance and how it doesn’t mean we work to pay for our sins as a form of penance, but instead turn from sin and to God.

Everywhere we turn, the world is bombarding us with ideas about sexuality. How should we as Christians be thinking about sex?

This week Janet and Jocelyn tackle the tough subject of human sexuality. Christians often tend to shy away from this issue, while the world talks about it constantly. How should our Biblical worldview shape the way we view sexuality? What does God have to say about it, and how can we honor Him while living in a fallen world?

As we start the new year, many people focus on developing new healthy habits or ditching bad ones. But can a person REALLY change their habits? Does the Bible offer guidance in how to break away from the bad or sinful patterns that seem so enslaving in our lives?
Listen in to hear Janet and Jocelyn discuss how God’s Word can help us in our everyday struggles with bad habits.

Resources:

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As human beings made by God, we all have a purpose on earth. How do we know our purpose and learn how to live according to that purpose as a believer? And how does God’s sovereignty play into all of this? Listen in this week as Janet and Jocelyn teach through the story of Samson in Judges 13-14 and discuss the dangers of living without a purpose.

Introducing our very first Joyful Journey Q&A episode! Janet and Jocelyn answer listener questions, from how to spend time with the Lord while raising small children, to the difference between godly grief and self-pity. We pray that as you listen, you find yourself encouraged and strengthened to choose truth and to choose joy on your journey as a woman of God.

Our thought life matters to God! Our theology should impact the way we think. The Bible teaches us how to take our thoughts captive in submission to Christ. In this week’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome back our co-host, Jocelyn, as she and Janet take a look at Psalm 1 and 2, which instruct us to meditate on truth and show us how to conform our thinking to Christ

Main passage: Psalm 1 and 2

We have an exclusive episode of the Joyful Journey Podcast! Today's podcast is entitled, Special Gentle & Lowly Interview.
In this new episode, Janet's husband, Pastor Brent, had the unique opportunity to interview Dane Ortlund, author of the bestselling book Gentle & Lowly and senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Illinois. In this special interview, Brent and Dane will discuss the heart of Christ for sinners and sufferers. We cannot wait to share this unique episode with you!

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Sometimes it feels like criticism comes from all around us. How can we humbly process and respond to the criticism leveled at us? Alexandra and Janet discuss how God’s view of us in Christ can help us to consider and respond to the critics in our lives from a biblical perspective.

Main Passage: Proverbs

Submission. Why do we shudder when we hear that word? Perhaps we equate it with being a doormat, being taken advantage of, or told we have no voice or value. But true biblical submission is not about value: It's about order. In this episode, Janet and Alexandra will discuss some common misunderstandings of submission and look to Jesus's example to reshape our understanding, as we seek to let Scripture, not culture, dictate how we act and think about submission.

Main Passage: Ephesians 5

Imagine someone knowing everything about you. Even the deepest, darkest parts of who you are and how you think that you don't want to acknowledge, even to yourself... Imagine Someone does know and does see - and loves you dearly anyway. This is the kind of love we find in our Creator. Janet and Alexandra take a long look at Psalm 139 to see how we are both fully known and fully loved.

Main Passage: Psalm 139

Gender. Womanhood. Beauty. Value. Equality. All of these terms swirl in our heads when we think about the messages the world shouts at us as women and our role in society today. Janet and Alexandra examine Genesis 1-2 to answer the most important question when it comes to a right view of womanhood: What does GOD think of women? Part of pursuing truth in our journeys of women of God includes answering this question rightly, as we think through how to live as a light for truth in an increasingly dark and confusing world.

Main Passage: Genesis 1-2

Today on the podcast, hosts Janet and Alexandra discuss principles and methods. In the church, we should base all of our life principles on scripture, even though the methods we use might be different from person to person. Understanding the difference between principles and methods is crucial to experiencing the unity of Christ. 

Main Passage: 1 Peter 3:8

Modern sensibilities resist the idea of meekness. And yet, it is one of the words that Jesus uses to describe Himself! A biblical understanding of the power and strength in true meekness gives us much hope! In this episode, Janet and Alexandra focus on a Christ-like quiet spirit, and the beauty of freedom of not resisting what God allows into our lives.

Main passages: 1 Peter 3:1-4, Psalm 131

How can we process suffering in a way that results joy in the midst of hard times? Alexandra Nitzschke opens up about her personal experience in suffering in self-destructive ways and in biblical ways, and shares four steps she uses to pursue joy when times get tough.

Main Passage: Psalm 34

Janet Aucoin and Alexandra Nitzschke discuss how a biblical understanding of the unfulfilled longings we all experience will help us see the tastes of God’s goodness all around us.

Janet Aucoin and Alexandra Nitzschke walk through the complex topic of anxiety and its various underlying heart issues by studying the Sermon on the Mount, and discuss how to find freedom within anxiety in our relationship to Christ.

As Janet Aucoin and Alexandra Nitzschke continue talking about the tools we have to fight temptation, we turn our eyes to the powerful Word of God, which helps us fight against the pull of our sinful desires. Alexandra dives deep into Matthew 4 to look at how Jesus was tempted during His 40 days in the desert - and how we too can have victory over temptation if we study, know, and embrace the Scriptures as He did.

Main Passage: Matthew 4

Joyful Journey welcomes co-host Alexandra Nitzschke back to the podcast! Janet Aucoin and Alexandra will discuss the story of Gethsemane from Matthew 26 and the stark difference between Jesus and His disciples as they respond to temptation. Their story helps guide our thoughts about how we react when temptation comes our way: Desperate prayer is a powerful tool the Lord uses to help us overcome the powerful pull of sin on our hearts.

Main Passage: Matthew 26

This is a special one! Joyful Journey welcomes Janet's husband, Pastor Brent Aucoin, to talk about the desires of our heart. Why do we do what we do? Because we want what we want. But why do we want what we want - and why do we want it so badly? Brent and Janet take a look at Genesis 3 to explore the process that leads us to the decisions we make - and how to align our heart's treasure with God's so that our lives reflect the beauty of His character and goodness.

Main Passage: Genesis 3

We want to live out our singleness in a way that honors the Lord. But how do we do that in a world often obsessed with finding fulfilment in all sorts of human relationships? Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss biblical truths to help combat the common struggles and unique battles singles face, as well as how marrieds and singles can come together to help each other live out the Creation Mandate.

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace break down Titus 2:3-5 by sharing bot the context of the passage and application of Paul's calling for the "older women" and the "younger women" in the local church.

Main passage: Titus 2:3-5

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace sit down with our very first guest, Pastor Dustin Folden, to discuss how feasting at the table of God's goodness can help us fight against the temptations and dangers of sin.

Main Passage: Colossians 2:20-3:4

There are so many voices in our head and in the world telling us what to think about our body. But what does God's Word have to say about it? Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace walk through II Corinthians to help us think through a biblical view of our physical bodies.

Main Passage: II Corinthians 4-5

God sometimes ordains trials for his people. Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace explore how truth from James 1 can help us fight for joy for ourselves and those around us—even when we can’t understand His plan for the trials we face.

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss how the hesed love of God changes our perspective and response to unjust suffering. Sometimes we suffer as a result of someone else's sin. Sometimes we suffer due to circumstances outside of our control: an accident, a pandemic, or a variety of other results of living in a broken world. And it's not fair! Regardless, looking to our Savior's example and heart reorients our perspective and gives great hope.

Last episode, we explored the hesed love of God - a sacrificial love that faithfully pursues even to its own hurt. Now Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace will take a look at what hesed love can look like, as we as Christ's followers attempt to live it out in everyday life.

Main Passage: John 13

When we think about the love of God, what do we picture? In this episode, Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace examine the faithful hesed love God holds for His people - the kind of sacrificial love that loves to its own hurt, an unchanging love that pursues those who actively run away from Him. He loves first. He loves most. He loves even to His own hurt. Taking a closer look at the steadfast love of God helps us worship deeply and correctly as we pursue a closer relationship with Him.

Main Passage: John 13

Rebellion. Redemption. Rescue. This is what the gospel is all about: Jesus Christ coming to rescue us from our sin and enabling us to be reconciled to God, restoring us to the purpose for which we were created. In this episode, Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss the salvation story and help us think through how life can be radically different as a result of Jesus's deep, abiding love for us.

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss our God-given purpose in life as described in the pages of Scripture and the joy found in following that purpose. (Main Passage: Genesis 1:26-28)

In our very first Joyful Journey episode, Janet Aucoin, Jocelyn Wallace, and Alexandra Nitzschke discuss how true joy can be found only in following God and what that looks like in practical life. No matter the circumstance, we all can choose joy when we know the truth about who we are in Christ and our ultimate purpose here on earth. (Main Scripture: Psalm 16)

Hosts Janet Aucoin, Jocelyn Wallace, and Alexandra Nitzschke come together from different walks of life to discuss a mutual passion for gospel-focused theology. In this introductory episode, the ladies introduce themselves and share why they love teaching women how theology applies to everyday life, the purpose in launching this podcast, and what they hope to accomplish through this ministry.