Encouragement for Foster Parents

When a crisis comes, it rarely arrives at a convenient time. And when someone we love is hurting, it can be hard to know what to say—or how to help.In this episode, Noelle talks with Dr. John Babler, a longtime fire and police chaplain and seminary professor, about bringing the compassion of Christ into life’s hardest moments. He shares a simple, practical framework for caring well: showing compassion, serving humbly, listening attentively, and faithfully ministering God’s Word while all covered in prayer.Whether someone is facing a major tragedy or an everyday loss, this hope-filled conversation will encourage you to be the hands and feet of Jesus and point hurting hearts toward the comfort and hope found in Christ.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Resources:BooksBiblical Crisis Counseling - John BablerWebsiteAssociation of Certified Biblical Counselors Dr. Babler ResourcesJoyful Journey SpeakingVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Can you feel joy while your heart aches for a child who’s walked away from the faith? For parents living that tension, it can feel impossible to reconcile.Janet Aucoin talks with returning guest Stuart Scott about his devotional on wayward children, unpacking Isaiah 1 and Romans 9 to show that God knows the ache of rebellious children. They discuss confession, community, and resting in God’s sovereignty rather than in a formula for parenting success. Their discussion uses scripture to point hurting parents back to Christ.⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Resources:Podcasts/LecturesHumility - Joyful JourneyBrad Bigney LecturesBooksWayward Children - Stuart ScottFrom Heartbroken to Hopeful - Shirely ElliottCome Back, Barbara - John Miller and Barbara Miller JulianiWhen Good Kids Make Bad Choices - Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jim NewheiserIt’s Not Too Late - Margy TrippDo Not Hinder Them - Justin PetersWebsiteRestorationVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Foster care can feel isolating, even within a loving church community, but no one has to walk this journey alone. In this episode, Janet talks with Leah, a foster mom, about biblical encouragement for foster parents and practical ways churches can love and support the families around them. Leah also shares a heartfelt, Scripture-rooted invitation for more Christians to consider fostering, pointing us back to Christ, who has welcomed us all into God’s family through adoption.⁠⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Resources:PodcastsForgotten Podcast - Foster Initiative The Foster MovementBooksThe Gospel Comes with a House Key - Rosaria ButterfieldWebsiteBiblical Counseling Training ConferenceVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

When someone you love causes you pain, how do you name what’s happening, and how do you respond in a way that honors Christ? In this conversation, Janet Aucoin sits down once again with repeat guest Kevin Carson to explore how counselors discern the nature and depth of mistreatment in relationships, from safety concerns to a person’s emotional and spiritual well-being. Drawing from the stories of Job and Peter, they reflect on God’s compassion and mercy in the midst of suffering, and how His people are called to walk in trust, wisdom, and obedience even in confusing and painful circumstances.⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠Resources:PodcastsHelping Wives of Ungodly Husbands - Joyful JourneyThe Hesed Love of God - Joyful JourneyDemonstrating Hesed Love - Joyful JourneyLoving Their Souls - Joyful Journey Responding to Criticism - Joyful JourneyWhen Someone Else is Sinning - Joyful JourneyWebsiteMasters of Arts in Biblical CounselingVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What if joy was deeper than whatever season you are in? What if the kind of joy that lasts is the kind that stays rooted in Christ, not in circumstances?Janet and Leah point to Philippians to show that real joy is found in Christ alone, even in prison, plenty, or pain. They highlight Paul’s Gospel-centered perspective, Christ’s humility, and practical ways to pray, give thanks, and keep an eternal focus.⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠Resources:PodcastsJoy in Trials - Joyful JourneyBooksIn All Things - Melissa KrugerWebsiteFaith Bible SeminaryVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Are you truly depending on Jesus for your strength and growth, or are you quietly relying on your own effort, working harder, pushing through, and hoping He notices?Janet Aucoin welcomes her daughter-in-law Noelle Aucoin, who shares vulnerably from two years of unexpected physical limitations and how God used them to teach her about self-sufficiency’s quiet grip. Together they explore three facets of dependence: being in relationship with Christ, trusting Him for sanctification, and praying for His glory. Their discussion is anchored in Ephesians 3:14–21 and D.A. Carson’s sermon, Praying for Power. True surrender isn’t passive; it’s clinging to God’s promise that all good things find their yes in Him.Episode Transcript⁠⁠Resources:Podcasts/SermonsPraying for Power - D. A. CarsonWebsiteRestorationVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Episode TranscriptResources:Songs/PodcastsAbide - Aaron WilliamsPrinciples of Bible Study - Joyful JourneyWorksheetBasic Bible Study Principles WorksheetWebsites/AppsFighter VersesVersifyBible MemoryBlue Letter BibleBiblical Counseling Training ConferenceVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

What if an intense focus on sin is actually keeping you from Christ rather than drawing you closer to him?In this episode, Janet Aucoin welcomes her son Josh, worship pastor at Faith Church, for a thoughtful conversation about scrupulosity, the tendency to become so fixated on sin that it leads to paralysis instead of peace. Together, they explore the biblical roots of self-righteous moral anxiety and point to the gospel’s invitation to trade performance-driven fear for the true freedom found in Christ.⁠Episode Transcript⁠Resources:Podcasts/SermonsTheology of Worship - Joyful Journey PodcastThe Severe Results of Submitting to Works Righteousness Instead of Jesus - Faith Church SermonA Peculiar Power for Prayer - D. A. CarsonScrupulosity - Truth in Love PodcastA Biblical Response to Scrupulosity - Truth in Love PodcastBooks/ArticlesRescuing the Gospel - Erwin LutzerScrupulosity - Brent OsterbergScrupulosity and One Distortion of Sanctification - BCCWebsitesMasters of Arts in Biblical CounselingVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Can you experience true spiritual rest even when a good night’s sleep feels out of reach? Janet and Noelle explore the difference between physical sleeplessness and spiritual rest, drawing on a biblical theology of rest developed by Dr. Rob Green of Faith Bible Seminary. They examine what Scripture says about rhythms of work and rest and point listeners toward the soul rest found only in Christ, even in the middle of chronic exhaustion.Episode TranscriptResources:WebsitesFaith Bible SeminaryVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Have you ever felt hurt by a friend who didn’t meet your expectations, perhaps expectations you may not have voiced? Janet and Leah discuss the subtle but dangerous ways unspoken expectations shape our friendships, explore Scripture’s vision for biblical community built on “one another” commands, and examine what it looks like to pursue friendships for God’s glory rather than personal fulfillment. Drawing on the friendship of David and Jonathan as well as Paul’s relationship with the Philippian church, they point listeners toward Christ as the only friend who truly lacks nothing.⁠⁠Episode Transcript⁠⁠⁠⁠Resources:Resources/booksFriendship Diagram - Gail McGintyOne Another Verse ListGetting to the Heart of Friendships - Amy BakerChurch Membership - Jonathan LeemanRediscover Church - Collin Hansen and Jonathan LeemanRelationships: A Mess Worth Making - Paul TrippWebsitesRestoration Men’s Ministry Visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes.Emails us with questions or comments [email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MABC through Faith Bible Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.