#393: Can I Believe Nothing Is Impossible With God? With Shannon Bream

Shannon Bream—the number one New York Times bestselling author of The Women of the Bible Speak series—is with us today, and she's got just what you need if you're facing something that feels impossible. On today's episode, Shannon will chronicle some unlikely biblical heroes whose stories mirror our own struggles and teach us about overcoming seemingly impossible situations. Plus, Shannon vulnerably shares her own impossible, and you will be blown away by God's grace and her perseverance! This conversation will comfort, inspire, and equip you for all that you face because—the truth is—nothing is impossible with God. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/393  Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Last week, we flipped the mic and you got to hear my two sons interview me! If you joined us, you know this conversation only scratched the surface about ministry, blindness, writing, and speaking. So today, we're picking right back up where we left off and going deeper into the story behind the ministry and the heart behind the microphone! In Part Two of this special miniseries, the questions turn more personal as we talk about how C.S. Lewis found his way into my life during a season of depression—and how his words helped shape my faith, my thinking, and my writing.  We also rewind to some surprising beginnings: my first exposure to audiobooks, why I wasn't a reader growing up (yes, really!), and the unexpected author who helped me come alive inside. Then we fast-forward to what may be on the horizon—a book I'm prayerfully considering writing next. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/392  Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

For the last five years on the 4:13—and for the last eighteen years at Fresh Grounded Faith conferences—you've heard me spill the beans and interview incredible guests! But today, we're doing something we have never done before! My two sons asked if they could turn the tables and interview me—to talk about the story behind the ministry and the heart behind the microphone. They wanted to unpack my life, my calling, and the journey that led us here. So, in this two-part miniseries, we're officially flipping the mic.  As my boys ask the questions, you'll hear a candid, curious, revealing conversation about ministry, blindness, writing, speaking, and legacy.  In Part One, we look back at how this ministry got started. Plus, I take you behind the scenes of writing and speaking—sharing some of my funniest moments along the way and what I've learned about reading the audience … especially without being able to see them. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/391 Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

On today's episode, historian Joseph Loconte takes us inside the lives and friendship of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, two of the most influential Christian writers of the last century.  Amid the devastation of World War II, their imaginative writing provided a vision of reality—one grounded in truth, valor, and virtue. It's through their stories that Tolkien and Lewis offered far more than escape, but a blueprint for resilience in times of crisis. Joseph shares how looking at the world through the eyes of these two men can reveal the beauty and divine goodness that serve as an antidote to the lies, division, and hatred of our day. Now… I may be a C.S. Lewis junkie, so I'll confess I nerded out a little in this conversation! But whether you've read every word they wrote or barely know their names, you'll enjoy this life-giving and thoughtful conversation about friendship, faith, and the power of story. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/390  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

You may know your love language—but what if you're speaking it with the wrong accent? Dr. Gary Chapman has helped more than 150 million people discover their "love language," but knowing the language is just the beginning. That's because each love language has dialects! Miss the dialect, and even the right language can fall flat. So today, Gary joins me to share why love so often gets lost in translation and how learning to speak the right dialect at the right time is key to a deeper connection. Whether you're dating, married, or seeking to deepen lifelong friendships, this conversation will give you the tools you need for all your relationships. And since it's almost Valentine's Day💕, stick around until the end… because I just might sing a little love song I wrote for my stud husband! 🎶 SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/389  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

When you picture Heaven, what comes to mind? Harps, halos, pearly gates, and endless singing? If that's all Heaven is, it can seem quite disconnected from our lives today. But fortunately, Scripture paints a far richer and more relevant picture. In this conversation, Pastor Philip De Courcy invites you to rethink everything you assume about eternity. Drawing deeply from God's Word, Philip answers big questions like… What is Heaven—really?  Where do believers go when they die? What will we do in Heaven? Why do even nonbelievers feel a longing for eternity? Philip also touches on a few difficult topics we often wonder about, such as the reality of judgment, degrees of reward, and the resurrection of our bodies. But most importantly, Philip will help you see how a clear, biblical understanding of Heaven can completely transform the way you live right now.  SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/388  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

The practice of waking early to seek God in prayer is woven into the fabric of Scripture. But... what if you're not a morning person? Oh friend, I get it! But whether you greet the sunrise with joy or hit snooze like it's your spiritual gift, today you'll be challenged to rethink what's possible with God. Joining me on the 4:13 is author Tara Beth Leach who shares why mornings matter, how even night owls or those with busy schedules can make space for God, and what it looks like to build a structured yet flexible morning rhythm that actually sticks. You'll walk away with practical guidance, spiritual encouragement, and inspiration for starting your day surrendered to God's presence. So if mornings feel intimidating—or impossible—don't worry. You'll discover that God meets us there with grace, purpose, and renewal. Wake up, buttercup! This one's for you! SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/387  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

When Lysa TerKeurst experienced the painful, unwanted end of her nearly 30-year marriage, she found herself asking hard questions and searching Scripture for real answers. She didn't just need comfort—she needed clarity, truth, and a way forward. On today's episode of the 4:13, Lysa shares the resource she wishes she had during that season and tackles some of the most difficult questions many women quietly carry: Does God hate divorce? How do I move forward when I'm still angry? How do I rebuild a life I never envisioned? She'll walk you through what the Bible says about divorce, correct some of the misguided messages often accepted, and assure you that you are not alone—even if it feels that way. So, whether you're walking through a divorce right now, still carrying pain from years ago, or loving someone who is in the throes of it all, this conversation offers hope, truth, and practical steps for the road ahead. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/386   Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

Do you ever feel let down in your daily experience as a Christian? You're not alone. Pastor and bestselling author Gary Thomas understands that frustration—which he says often comes from believing lies we don't even realize we've embraced. Today on the 4:13, Gary unpacks the subtle deceptions that quietly shape our expectations, steal our joy, and keep us from the abundant life God promises. He reveals 12 common lies many Christians believe and—using Scripture—helps you recognize those lies and replace them with truth. You'll learn to discern the trap of a self-centered salvation, why a family-first mentality does more harm than good, and how entitlement sneaks into our faith more easily than we think. Plus, you'll be introduced to a perspective of being rescued that can transform everything! So, get ready to renew your mind, deepen your trust, and live the life you were reborn to live! SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/385  Enter to win the GIVEAWAY and read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

You may know Nicole C. Mullen as an incredible singer-songwriter, but did you know she's also a certified Bible nerd? That's right! And she not only knows the Word, but she can teach it too, bringing it to life in a powerful, practical way. So today on the 4:13, Nicole takes us into Scripture to remind us that it's never wrong to do the right thing—even when it's difficult or costly. Because, let's be honest, none of us are perfect, and we don't always make the wisest choices. But no matter what decisions you've made or the consequences you face, God can redeem your past and move you from regret to renewal. As Nicole walks us through the Word and opens up about some of her own not-so-great decisions, you'll be encouraged, challenged, and reminded that hope is never off the table! SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/384  Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.