129. Finding Freedom From What Imprisons Us: Alice Marie Johnson
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Release Date: 02/22/2024
147. Pointing People Toward Freedom: Carlos Whittaker
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Carlos Whittaker’s mission is to bring hope to humans all over the world. Growing up, Carlos watched his Panamanian, Afro-Latino father unite the diverse people of his neighborhood under one roof: his church. As an author, podcaster, and global speaker, Carlos’ wishes to follow his father’s legacy as he creates safe spaces for people—all people—so they may feel seen and understood. Quotes “I think there's things to celebrate about how God made me a little bit different.” - Carlos Whittaker “I just think about how many times we don't even remember that Jesus...
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146. The Resurrection of Lost Dreams: Monster Jam Driver Bryce Kenny
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Growing up watching his grandfather’s passion for motorsports, Bryce Kenny knew he wanted to one day experience that life for himself. But after making a go of it—unsuccessfully—he realized that his dream was slipping away. But what he never could have imagined was that God would reshape his dream and bring it to life in a way that would exceed anything he would have ever thought possible. Quotes “When I started getting really beat down in my pursuit of the things that I wanted to do, and the failures, and having to learn all those tough lessons that everyone is going to...
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145. Making a Difference, Right Where You Are: Danielle Coke Balfour
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Illustrator and activist Danielle Coke Balfour, is dedicated to delving deep into fostering greater empathy, kindness, and compassion for one another. Through her eloquent words and captivating illustrations, she skillfully draws attention to places we can be doing good in the world, even in small ways–because any step towards positive change makes a difference. Quotes “I view art as a means to an end. I think my overarching goal is to share these concepts of justice, equality, and empathy in a way that will help it land for the everyday person.” - Danielle Coke...
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144. May We Be Known By Our Love: Dr. Robert Smith Jr.
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Pastor and professor Dr. Robert Smith Jr. knows this: that what really matters in life is not the awards or accolades or titles we may have achieved, but it is the fact that our identity rests in Christ—something that will transcend time. He wishes for us to be known by the way we love one another, and shares how we can be a light in the world. Quotes “It's a joy seeing how God orchestrates, choreographs, and demonstrates the diversity of the body of Christ. And yet, it's unity that we're different, diverse, but we're unified in Christ.” - Dr. Robert Smith Jr. “We...
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143. Nothing Can Separate Us From God: Victoria Robb Powers & Cameron Mason Vickrey
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
When we’re facing hardships or sorrow, it can be hard to see where God is working in our lives. Creators of Reverend Mamas, Victoria Robb Powers and Cameron Mason Vickrey, encourage us that God is around us whether we feel Him or not: in the wind, in the song of little birds, or in a child’s laughter–and they talk about teaching children how to recognize that God is always near. Quotes “As parents, I think sometimes we put this pressure on ourselves to have all the answers for our children. I'm learning more and more how appropriate and helpful it is to actually tell your children...
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142. We Need Each Other: Redeemer City to City’s Abraham Cho
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Abraham Cho is the senior director of global resources for Redeemer City to City in Manhattan—and he has a big, passion-filled vision for what he believes the church should look like in a world where division and hostility are ever-increasing. Quotes “People need people who didn't grow up with a religious background, people who have maybe since left the church, people who consider themselves secular or non-religious. The place a potential encounter will be, the dinner tables, the office tables, and the lunch tables—those are going to be the places of encounter.” - Abraham...
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141. Navigating Disagreements with Grace: John Inazu
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
In a culture that’s often divisive and argumentative, Professor of Law and Religion John Inazu helps people find a way through disagreements: by truly listening. He shares his insights on how we can hold healthy conversations on complex topics using careful intention, empathy, and the examples from Jesus found in scripture. Quotes “One of the key pieces about being a lawyer is that you're not going to be any good unless you really understand the other side's arguments, and that means having the best possible case of that argument, the most empathetic version and construct of...
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140. A Journey of Faith, Music, and Gratitude: Gordon Mote
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Gordon Mote, a piano player and musician who was blind from birth, shares with us the discovery of his astounding musical abilities at the age of three to being one of the first in the U.S. to enter the public school system as a blind student and overcoming all the unique challenges that would ultimately shape him into the musical legend he is today. With two Grammy Award nominations, twenty-one Academy of Country Music Award nominations, and three-time recipient of the Academy of Country Music Keyboard/Piano Player of the Year, Gordon has collaborated with renowned artists, including Alan...
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139. Reminders of Love Can Be Found All Around Us: Roma Downey
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Actress and producer Roma Downey, best known for her role in Touched By An Angel, has experienced a lot of loss and grief in her life, but thanks to a touching tradition with her father that began when she was just a young girl, she trained herself to see reminders of God’s love all around her, a legacy that she’s continued with her own family. Quotes “[My dad] said, ‘Look, Roma, look at that moon. Just remember, wherever you are in the world, it'll be the same moon shining down on you as is shining down on me.’ And he said, ‘And that will connect us, we’ll be...
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138. The Lies We Believe and The Truth That Sets Us Free: Hosanna Wong
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
A common struggle among people from all walks of life is believing untruths about ourselves, due to things spoken into us and over our lives that influence and shape us into who we are. Author, speaker, and spoken word artist Hosanna Wong experienced this firsthand, and found herself feeling like she couldn’t measure up. But what she discovered by learning stories of other people on the streets of San Francisco was that so many of us feel unworthy, unloved, and unseen. Hosanna turned to Jesus’ life as the example for how we can know ourselves, and be set free from the lies we’re told....
info_outlineOne amazing thing about God is that He doesn’t just save His goodness for the beautiful and exceptional times in our lives— He’s there in the suffering, too. Criminal justice reform advocate Alice Marie Johnson spent a long and grueling twenty-one years in prison after receiving an extraordinarily harsh sentence for a past mistake made during a desperate time. What Alice never expected was to encounter hope in a seemingly hopeless place—and after establishing a relationship with Jesus, she allowed Him to transform her life. Now she spreads the hope she found whenever and wherever she can.
Quotes
“It was really a relief, almost, when the arrest came because, finally, I could get off of this merry go round that I was on. But I certainly did not believe that it would lead to the harsh sentence that I received.” - Alice Marie Johnson
“My family was in shock. No one thought that I was going to actually be convicted when I went to my sentencing. And found out that the suggestion was life plus 25 years. I couldn't believe it. I was literally told that the only way that I would ever be reunited with my family would be as a corpse.” - Alice Marie Johnson
“Having that Bible that I could understand opened my whole heart up to a relationship like I'd never known could exist. I literally fell in love with the Word of God. Had I not gone to prison, I may not have known how much the Lord truly loved me and was with me.” - Alice Marie Johnson
“I can now say it is good that I was afflicted, because I came to know the precepts of God. I came to know His faithfulness and love for me. He said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ And through the whole time in prison, He never allowed me to give up hope.” - Alice Marie Johnson
Guest’s Links
Alice Marie Johnson Instagram
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Taking Action for Good Website
Taking Action for Good Twitter
Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook
Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram
*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*