#408: Can I Still Trust God When Everything Seems To Go Wrong? With Anne Graham Lotz & Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright

You've probably heard the Prayer of St. Francis—but did St. Francis actually write it? Hmm… well, today you're going to find out.  On this episode of 4:13, author and pastor Mark DeYmaz explores the beloved Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and why its message is just as powerful and relevant today as ever.  He explains how this timeless prayer can become a practical guide for navigating conflict, division, and tension in our relationships and communities, revealing that prayer isn't passive at all—it can be deeply disruptive. So, if you've ever wondered what it really means to be a peacemaker—or how to pursue peace without compromising truth—listen in. This conversation brings ancient wisdom to the modern challenges we face every day. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/409  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.

Suffering. Grief. Disappointment. Loss. Any one of these can shake us to our core. So how are we supposed to trust God when everything seems to go wrong? On this episode, Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) and her daughter, Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, walk through the story of Joseph—a man who experienced betrayal, false accusation, and unfair circumstances that turned his life upside down. So how did Joseph remain steadfast in his faith? Anne and Rachel-Ruth explain how God's presence brings peace even in life's deepest pits. You'll discover why suffering is never wasted and how God uses even our hardest seasons to guide us, grow us, and bring about His greater purpose. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/408  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.

Our souls long for less of us and more of God. For less of this broken world and more of Jesus' abundant life. Put simply… for revival.  So in this episode, author and podcaster Lisa Whittle shares the freedom that comes from surrendering to God—releasing your need for comfort, control, approval, and even blessings. You'll see how offering everything to God brings the renewed spiritual vitality we all crave. Because often, it's the very things we see as good that slowly pull our hearts away from God and lead to spiritual drift. So if you've started to sense that drift—or you already feel far off course—listen in. This conversation will help you identify what may be standing in the way of the soul revival you've been longing for. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/407  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.

We talk to ourselves all day long—often without even realizing it. And while we may not be able to turn off the constant chatter happening inside our minds, we can learn to change the conversation. In this episode, author and Moody Radio host Jon Gauger shares how self-talk can be either destructive or redemptive, depending on whether you speak lies or biblical truth to yourself. So today, Jon will teach you how to identify the lies you're believing, replace them with Scripture, and invite God to renew your thinking. You'll also hear practical ways to memorize Scripture, why the Psalms are such a powerful place to start, and how speaking truth to your soul can bring peace, patience, and hope into your everyday life. Plus, Jon offers a FREE download to help you shift gears in your mind and hide God's Word in your heart. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/406  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.

Have you ever caught yourself being a little… judgy? It's no secret—judgment is everywhere these days, even in the church. But aren't we also supposed to use good judgment? It's tricky, right? Well today, you're going to get biblical clarity on how to use good judgment without being judgmental. Shannon Popkin is back on the podcast to help you understand the difference between healthy discernment and being kinda judgy. You'll learn what Jesus actually meant in Matthew 7 when He said, "Judge not," how personal convictions can get in the way of judging rightly, and what it looks like to speak truth with compassion rather than condemnation. Plus, since not every issue is black and white, Shannon shares some practical ways to keep humility and God's grace at the center of it all. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/405  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.

Have you ever felt the passion in your faith slowly fading? Maybe there was a time when you couldn't wait to open your Bible, go to church, or talk about God. But somewhere along the way, your fire went out. Your enthusiasm faded. And now? You're in a spiritual funk—maybe even numb. Well today, Dallas Theological Seminary President, Dr. Mark Yarbrough, joins us for a deeply honest and hope-filled conversation about what it means to revive a faith that's grown cold. Mark explains why every believer is vulnerable to drifting spiritually—whether it's due to an abrupt hardship or a slow fade of familiarity—and he'll give you six essential markers of a rekindled heart, all of which are rooted in returning to your identity in Christ. Oh friend, this conversation is not about trying harder or following a spiritual checklist. It's about pointing you back to the One who can set your heart ablaze again. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/404  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.

Sometimes you need to look back and see God in your past to help you trust Him for your future.  In this episode, author and speaker Laurie Polich Short will show you how what felt like a detour may have actually been divine direction. Whether you've experienced closed doors, extended seasons of waiting, or deep disappointment, you'll be reminded that God is present in every part of your story. Laurie will help you trace God's fingerprints all throughout your life—even in the moments that were confusing, painful, or unexpected—and invite you to release your expectations of how He "should" show up so you can begin to recognize how He already has. Plus, be sure to listen until the very end because I'm singing a special blessing over you! SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/403  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.

What if the Jesus you know has been shaped more by culture than by Scripture? All too often, we create a customized Jesus to fit our preferences instead of following the true Jesus revealed in God's Word. And without even realizing it, He becomes the Lord of our comfort and convenience instead of the Lord of our lives. So today, pastor and bestselling author Kyle Idleman will give us a clear understanding of who Jesus is as Messiah and King! He'll unpack how our view of Jesus can quietly drift, how to recognize when we've turned Him into a life coach instead of a King, and what it looks like to follow Him for who He truly is. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/402  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.

In this very special BONUS episode, I'm sitting on the front porch with my beautiful mom, Judith Jolly. She's a vibrant 84-year-old who raised me and helped shape who I am today—but more than that, she leaves a lasting impact on everyone she meets. You'll hear us talk about the importance of genuine community, how her experiences during World War II shaped her perspective, and the values that stand the test of time. She also shares timeless wisdom on being authentic, taking initiative in forming relationships, loving neighbors and strangers alike, and finding joy in everyday life. My mom is leaving an enduring legacy through her lifelong commitment to loving others, and I just know you're going to learn so much from her! RECIPE: Get Mom's Amazing Pound Cake Recipe SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/frontporchwisdom  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.

In this episode, Pastor Chip Ingram will challenge the way you think about love! Because, contrary to popular belief, love is much more than a feeling or an emotion, and it isn't something that just happens to you; it's something you choose. Chip explains what love really is (and isn't), how to decipher between love and your feelings, and how you can love others even when you don't feel like it—or when they really don't deserve it. Plus, you'll find out if you suffer from grandiosity… as he did.  Not sure what grandiosity is? Listen in. What Chip shares is eye-opening! SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/401  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.