Have a Heart

Summary

Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

Episode Title: Have a Heart
Air Date: March 2, 2026
Hosts: Jim Daly & John Fuller
Featured Segment: “Adventures in Odyssey” episode: Have a Heart

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Episode Overview

This episode of Focus on the Family centers on the power of forgiveness, transformation, and compassion as seen through a special Adventures in Odyssey audio drama, “Have a Heart.” The story explores how a life-altering experience—a heart transplant in a school bully—leads to unexpected changes not only in him but also in his classmates. The episode uses humor and heartfelt storytelling to tackle big questions: Can people truly change? What does it mean to receive a “new heart”? How do forgiveness and empathy transform relationships?

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections on Adventures in Odyssey

• [01:27 - 02:53]
  • John Fuller and Jim Daly introduce the segment, highlighting the enduring popularity and spiritual impact of Adventures in Odyssey, which has produced over 1,000 episodes and led thousands of children to Christ.
  • Jim Daly shares excitement about the upcoming animated film Journey into the Impossible, designed to reach even more families.

2. “Have a Heart” Storyline (Audio Drama)

A. The Return of Dion Farkas—The School Bully

• [03:12 - 06:14]
  • Zoe and Buddy react with dread to news that Dion Farkas is returning to school after months away.
  • Speculation runs wild on where Dion has been, with humorous guesses including juvenile detention and working for the CIA.
  • Mr. Whitaker, the wise mentor, knows but respects Dion’s privacy, prompting Buddy to seek an interview for the school paper.

B. Dion’s Revelation and Apology

• [08:07 - 09:40]
  • Dion explains he missed school due to severe myocarditis requiring a heart transplant.
  • He opens up about his fear and shows vulnerability, sharing hospital pictures for the article.
  • Unexpectedly, Dion apologizes to Buddy and Zoe for past bullying:

    “I used to be pretty mean to you...Will you forgive me?” — Dion Farkas [09:23]

  • Zoe is struck by this change, questioning if Dion can really have changed that much.

C. Humor and Theories about Heart Transplants

• [10:11 - 13:02]
  • In a witty science class scene, Zoe speculates that Dion’s personality change is because he got “the heart of a nice person.”
  • Buddy and Zoe embark on a mock-investigation to discover the heart donor’s identity, blending adventure with real questions about personality and change.

D. Discovering the Donor—Empathy Deepens

• [13:16 - 18:00]
  • The friends learn the donor was Jensen Dunlap, a boy who drowned in a boating accident.
  • Zoe wonders if personality traits are “transplanted” with organs.
  • They meet Jensen’s cousin, Eric, who offers a nuanced portrait of Jensen—not a perfect “saint,” just a quiet, ordinary boy.
  • Empathy grows as Buddy and Zoe reflect on the sacrifice and loss behind organ donation.

E. Biblical Reflection—What Is a Changed Heart?

• [19:28 - 22:22]
  • Zoe processes Dion’s transformation with Mr. Whitaker using Scripture, specifically Ezekiel 36:26:

    “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you...” — Zoe reading [19:49]

  • Mr. Whitaker clarifies the biblical symbolism of “the heart,” stressing that physical changes alone don’t alter our character—real transformation is spiritual, catalyzed by life-changing experiences and God’s love.

    "Changing physical hearts...can't change your personality, but God can absolutely change your symbolic heart..." — Mr. Whitaker [21:41]

  • Zoe has her own transformation, realizing the power of forgiveness and empathy.

F. Real-World Connection—Meeting the Donor’s Mother

• [23:33 - 26:08]
  • Dion nervously meets Mrs. Dunlap, Jensen’s mother.
  • In a powerful moment, Dion offers her a stethoscope so she can listen to her son's heart beating in his chest.

    “Would you like to listen to your son's heart? ...He's very strong.” — Dion and Mrs. Dunlap [25:27-25:47]

  • Both experience comfort, grief, and gratitude in this poignant encounter.

G. Zoe’s Final Realization

• [26:08 - 26:23]
  • Zoe reflects:

    “I think you were right, Mr. Whitaker... God. Changing hearts. I think He just changed mine.” — Zoe [26:10-26:23]

3. Hosts’ Reflections and Ministry Invitation

• [26:23 - End]
  • Jim and John discuss the story’s message: Redemption and spiritual change are possible for anyone—including bullies—with God.
  • They share feedback from listeners, like 14-year-old Victoria, whose faith was strengthened by Adventures in Odyssey.
  • They invite donations for the animated film project, with a special matching grant opportunity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When we only think of a person as an enemy, we forget that they're also human beings. People with feelings, families. Favorite basketball teams.”
  — Mr. Whitaker [00:36 & 21:20] (A theme repeated twice, anchoring the episode’s message.)

• “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…”
  — Zoe (quoting Ezekiel 36:26) [19:49]

• “Changing physical hearts with someone can't change your personality. But God can absolutely change your symbolic heart.”
  — Mr. Whitaker [21:41]

• “Would you like to listen to your son's heart?... He's very strong.”
  — Dion & Mrs. Dunlap [25:27-25:47] (A deeply touching moment.)

• “God... changing hearts. I think He just changed mine.”
  — Zoe [26:10-26:23]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:27] – Introduction to Adventures in Odyssey and ministry update
• [03:12] – Start of “Have a Heart” story
• [08:07] – Dion reveals his heart transplant and apologizes
• [13:16] – Discovery about the heart donor
• [19:49] – Zoe reflects on Ezekiel 36:26 with Mr. Whitaker
• [21:41] – Mr. Whitaker explains symbolic vs. physical heart change
• [23:33] – Dion meets Jensen’s mother for the first time
• [25:27] – Mrs. Dunlap listens to her son’s heart in Dion’s chest
• [26:10] – Zoe’s spiritual realization
• [26:23] – Hosts’ reflections, feedback, and film fundraising invitation

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode blends humor, warmth, childlike curiosity, and spiritual insight. The dialogue is natural, whimsical at times, with teachable moments that are gentle yet profound—true to Adventures in Odyssey’s signature style. Jim Daly and John Fuller’s segments are encouraging and uplifting while reminding listeners of this ministry’s greater purpose: to point families and children to Jesus Christ.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• People really can change, but true transformation comes from spiritual renewal, not just physical circumstances.
• Even the least likely individuals—former bullies, the hurting, the skeptical—can become vessels of kindness and faith after encountering grace, suffering, or forgiveness.
• God redeems brokenness and uses it for greater purposes—sometimes in totally unexpected ways.
• Forgiveness is powerful, both for those who give it and those who receive it.
• Organ donation saves lives and provides comfort to grieving families.
• Scripture provides clarity on true inner change, reminding us to look beyond appearances to the heart.

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For Resources, Adventures in Odyssey episodes, or to support Journey into the Impossible, visit the Focus on the Family website or see the show notes.

Transcript

[Zoe]

Your marriage can be healed. A Hope Restored Marriage Intensive from Focus on the Family can transform you and your spouse's relationship in just a few days.

[Buddy]

We'll go to this thing, but this is it. If this doesn't work, we're done.

[Dion Farkas]

What we have now, it's way more than we ever had before and that

[Buddy]

I ever even dreamed of in the marriage.

[Zoe]

Discover [e-mail] that's hoperestored.com.

[Mr. Whitaker]

When we only think of a person as an enemy, we forget that they're also human beings. People with feelings, families. Favorite basketball teams.

[Zoe]

The Bulls. He wears their jerseys.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Exactly. You see, changing physical hearts with someone can't change your personality, but God can absolutely change your symbolic heart through circumstances or through other people or through his love. Don't you think it's possible that Dion's personality difference could be due to the fact that he just went through an emotional, life changing experience?

[Zoe]

He did almost die.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Yes. And if God also desires, he can use that kind of situation to soften the hardest of hearts.

[John Fuller]

Well, that dialogue is from our popular children's radio drama Adventures and Odyssey. I'm John Fuller, and today on Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, we'll be featuring one of the many powerful stories from that radio series, that drama which helps children navigate real life questions and discover what it means to live out their faith.

[Jim Daly]

And it's a lot of fun. Let me just say that since 1987, we've been producing wonderful imaginary imaginative stories for kids of all ages. And now we have more than 1,000 episodes available at our website and store. And families absolutely love it. I think Odyssey is one of the best things we do. I'm so proud of our Odyssey team and the impact they're having discipling generations of families with godly values and helping on average 9,000 children a year make a decision for Christ. Isn't that great?

[John Fuller]

That's wonderful.

[Jim Daly]

I love it. And now we have an animated film project in the works called Journey into the Imposs, which will introduce more families to the Adventures in Odyssey stories and characters in a brand new way.

[John Fuller]

Yeah. We're so excited about this new movie. It's scheduled to release in theaters later this fall. And while you're waiting, we encourage you to check out our Adventures in Odyssey website where you can learn more about the movie and all our audio episodes and the special club we have for kids so they can listen to the entire collection. Find all that and more in the show notes.

[Jim Daly]

And now, for kids of all ages, we want you to experience An Adventures in Odyssey for yourself with today's episode called have a Heart.

[Buddy]

Hurry, Buddy. We're gonna be late for the bus.

[Zoe]

I'm coming.

[Buddy]

Really? My turtle walks faster, and he only has one leg.

[Zoe]

Zoey, you need to stop and smell the roses sometimes.

[Buddy]

What's going on? You're unusually optimistic today.

[Zoe]

Everything's just been going great lately. I got an A on my English project. I wasn't the first person knocked out in a dodgeball game for a record two days in a row. And my mom accidentally put the wrong kind of peanut butter on my sandwich. Today. The unhealthy kind. Things are finally going my way.

[Buddy]

Hi, Zoey. Hi, buddy. Oh, hi, Mrs. Meltzner.

[Zoe]

Hello. What are you doing with all that stuff?

[Buddy]

I am going to decorate this locker. Could you hold the sign for a second? Oh, sure. Welcome back. Who's coming back? Dion Farkas.

[Zoe]

What?

[Buddy]

He hasn't been here in, like, three months. It's been four, actually. I thought he moved to Chicago. No, he's still in Odyssey.

[Zoe]

Are we talking about the same Dion who declared the first Thursday of every month National Flick Buddies Ear Day?

[Buddy]

Why hasn't he been in school? Dion should probably explain that himself.

[Zoe]

Once a month, I come home with my ear looking like a wilded slice of salami.

[Buddy]

Sue's back tomorrow. That's right. Well, we better go.

[Dion Farkas]

Yeah.

[Buddy]

Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Okay.

[Zoe]

Bye.

[Buddy]

Huh. What would keep a kid out of school for four months?

[Zoe]

I bet he's been in a juvenile detention center.

[Mr. Whitaker]

No, Buddy.

[Buddy]

Do you think his family went to Europe or something and they homeschooled him? Mr. Whitaker.

[Dion Farkas]

No.

[Mr. Whitaker]

No, Zoe.

[Zoe]

I bet I know where he's been.

[Buddy]

Where?

[Zoe]

Langley, Virginia.

[Dion Farkas]

Dion, it's time to go. Already? Get in the car. I thought I had another six weeks. No. Your mission to be as annoying as possible to all living creatures in order

[Jim Daly]

to be a distraction from our top

[Dion Farkas]

secret mission was a complete success. We're all stunned back at headquarters as to how incredibly annoying you could be in such a short time. Thank you, sir. Get in. It's time to go to Langley. I guess it's all part of the job when you're working for this CIA.

[Buddy]

Earth to buddy.

[Zoe]

The CIA. I'll bet that's it.

[Buddy]

Your imagination's in hyperdrive.

[Mr. Whitaker]

I know Deon's parents, and I know his story. He hasn't been working for the CIA.

[Buddy]

So you know where he's been.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Well, I do, but it's a personal matter. I'm not gonna betray his trust.

[Zoe]

Is he okay? I mean, did the reason he's gone include losing the use of his right index finger?

[Buddy]

What?

[Zoe]

The first Thursday of the month is coming up. That's his flicking finger.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Oh, I'm sure he's glad to be back. And we should be happy for him, really.

[Zoe]

Do I have to be? I mean, I feel like I just had four months of sunshine, and now I'm getting a tornado warning alert.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Give him a chance, Buddy. Dion will need friends right now.

[Buddy]

Why? Because he just got out of jail.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Zoe, if you want to know what happened to Dion, you'll have to ask him yourself.

[Buddy]

Okay, I know. I'll interview him for the school newspaper.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Sounds like a good approach.

[Dion Farkas]

I don't know.

[Zoe]

Dion's like a grizzly bear that's been hibernating for months, so, you know, he'll be well rested. Hungry?

[Buddy]

Oh, it is so good to see you again, Dion.

[Dion Farkas]

Are you, too, Mrs. Meltzer, we've missed.

[Zoe]

What's going on? Mrs. Meltzer looks like she's glad to see him.

[Buddy]

Maybe she is.

[Zoe]

No way. He was always a troublemaker in her class. So how are you gonna get this interview anyway?

[Buddy]

I thought I'd just ask him.

[Zoe]

Yeah, like that'll work.

[Dion Farkas]

I know how that would go.

[Buddy]

Hey, Dion, would you do an interview with me?

[Dion Farkas]

I will do the interview in exchange for three things.

[Buddy]

Okay.

[Dion Farkas]

Number one. Say please.

[Jim Daly]

Please.

[Dion Farkas]

Number two. Let me flick your ear.

[Buddy]

Go for it. Ow.

[Dion Farkas]

Number three. Sign this document.

[Buddy]

What does it say?

[Dion Farkas]

It surrenders Buddy's right to all future happiness, love, and life purpose until the day he dies.

[Buddy]

What? Well, I guess. There we go.

[Dion Farkas]

Wait a minute. Oh, there's another place to initial on page five. It forbids Buddy from eating pizza forever.

[John Fuller]

Brutal.

[Zoe]

No, no.

[Buddy]

There you go,

[Dion Farkas]

Buddy.

[Zoe]

Oh, uh, hi, Dion. Welcome back.

[Dion Farkas]

Thanks, amigo.

[Buddy]

Dion, I'd like to write an article for the school paper about you. Would you be willing to do an interview?

[Dion Farkas]

Sure, Zoe. How about at lunch?

[Buddy]

That'd be great. Thanks.

[Dion Farkas]

All right. See you then. Bye, Buddy.

[Zoe]

Uh, bye. What just happened there?

[Buddy]

Myocarditis.

[Dion Farkas]

It's a heart condition. Mine was really serious. When they figured out that I had it, they put me on all kinds of medication, but it wasn't enough.

[Zoe]

Wasn't enough for what?

[Dion Farkas]

To keep me alive.

[Jim Daly]

Whoa.

[Zoe]

Really?

[Buddy]

So what did they do?

[Dion Farkas]

Well, the only option. A heart transplant. I went on the list, and we waited for a donor.

[Buddy]

For how long?

[Dion Farkas]

About a month. Then they did the surgery on November 8th.

[Zoe]

Where did the heart come from?

[Dion Farkas]

They wouldn't say. Those things are supposed to be confidential. But I heard My dad telling my mom that he saw the label on the container when it came in Connellsville General Hospital, so I'm guessing it came from there.

[Buddy]

Wow. Were you scared?

[Dion Farkas]

It was pretty bad for my whole family. Look, I have pictures on my phone, you know? Some of me in the hospital and some of me going home. If you want to use for your

[Buddy]

article, that would be great.

[Dion Farkas]

All right. I'll text him to you. Will you need anything else?

[Buddy]

No, that was perfect. Thanks.

[Dion Farkas]

Okay. There was something I wanted to say to you, buddy.

[Zoe]

Yeah, I figured this was coming.

[Dion Farkas]

Well, I want you to know that. Let me have it. I'm sorry.

[Zoe]

What? Huh?

[Dion Farkas]

Look, I used to be pretty mean to you and a lot of people. I called you a dweeb a lot. It made you feel terrible, and it was terrible. Will you forgive me?

[Zoe]

Uh. Is this a trap?

[Dion Farkas]

No, you. That's okay. Look, just think about it, okay? Zoe, let me know if you need anything else. I've got, you know, a few more people to apologize to.

[Buddy]

Okay. Bye, Dion.

[Zoe]

Yeah. See ya.

[John Fuller]

Wow.

[Zoe]

I was right. Has Dion actually changed?

[Buddy]

Some of you have frogs and some of you have lizards for your dissections.

[Zoe]

Okay?

[Buddy]

You'll all get a chance to rotate so you can see each one.

[Zoe]

Ooh, I got to do.

[Buddy]

All right, now, on your first cut, don't go too deep, okay? You want to be able to see the organs intact.

[Zoe]

Oh, this is going to be so fun.

[Buddy]

Oh, Dion. We chose partners last week, but you're welcome to join Mackenzie and Cole right here.

[Dion Farkas]

Thank you, Mrs. Meltzer.

[Zoe]

Did you hear that? Thank you. He's got to be faking.

[Buddy]

Do you want to cut this thing? I'm not really in the mood for a lizard autopsy.

[Zoe]

Oh, sure. Scalpel.

[Buddy]

Here you go, Doctor.

[Zoe]

Thank you, nurse.

[Dion Farkas]

Psst.

[Zoe]

What?

[Dion Farkas]

Hey, kid, who was that down here on the table? The one you're about to dice up in the name of science?

[Zoe]

A talking lizard.

[Dion Farkas]

Don't worry. Not gonna sell you insurance. I just need you to do something for me. I need a new heart. Can you get me one?

[Zoe]

How am I supposed to.

[Dion Farkas]

Just look around. You got 14 hearts just staring up at you.

[Zoe]

You want me to take one of the other lizard hearts?

[Dion Farkas]

No, not a lizard heart. Give me a frog heart. I want to be able to, like, jump. I'm tired of crawling around everywhere. I've got a rug burn on my stomach.

[Zoe]

Okay.

[Dion Farkas]

Hey, what are you doing?

[Zoe]

The frogs are talking, too.

[Dion Farkas]

What's wrong with your lizard? Hey, wait a minute. Harvey, did you send this kid over here to take my Heart? Oh, come on.

[Buddy]

Just switch with me.

[Dion Farkas]

You're barely even using yours. Oh, that lizard's been after my heart for weeks now. No, you don't even jump anymore. All you do is lie around and watch reruns of the Moppets.

[Zoe]

Lizards and frogs are both great. There's no need to argue.

[Dion Farkas]

What do you know about it?

[Zoe]

Wait a minute.

[Dion Farkas]

What are we doing, Harvey? Here we are talking about each other's hearts when we have the best heart

[Zoe]

right in front of us. Yes, mine.

[Dion Farkas]

Yeah. Imagine what we could do with a human heart. Exactly.

[Zoe]

What?

[Dion Farkas]

We could run faster, eat better food. So tired of flies. We could use reason and logic instead of always being, like, instinct, instinct, instinct. Well, I could probably learn to do my own taxes.

[Zoe]

Stop. Stop.

[John Fuller]

What?

[Buddy]

Buddy, what are you doing?

[Zoe]

Uh, sorry, Mrs. Meltzner.

[Buddy]

Get back to your dissection.

[Dion Farkas]

Yeah.

[Buddy]

What was that about?

[Zoe]

That's it. That's why Dion is being so nice.

[Buddy]

Why?

[Zoe]

It's his new heart.

[Buddy]

What are you talking about?

[Zoe]

Dion must have gotten the heart of a nice person.

[Jim Daly]

Whoa.

[Zoe]

You think I'm right?

[Buddy]

No, I just never really thought about the donor. I should cover that in my story. Meet me in the library at lunch. So, when did Dion say he had the operation?

[Zoe]

Uh, November 8th.

[Buddy]

Right. And he said the heart came from Connellsville. So we search for anyone who might have passed away in Connellsville on or before November 8th.

[Dion Farkas]

Huh.

[Buddy]

Let's see.

[Zoe]

Yeah, maybe. No, no, that's not it.

[Buddy]

Okay, keep scrolling.

[Zoe]

Let's see here. Oh, there. Connellsville boy drowns in a boating accident on Pierce Lake.

[Buddy]

I remember this. Jensen Dunlap, age 13. How awful.

[Zoe]

Yeah. Oh, there's a picture. Oh, it looks nice, don't you think? Yeah, I bet he was incredibly nice.

[Buddy]

I've been to Pierce Lake. Well, now I know how to write the story.

[Zoe]

What do you mean?

[Buddy]

It should be on the importance of organ donation. All right. The Odyssey volleyball team has a game in Connellsville this weekend. If I write an article about the game, I could probably get a ride on the team bus.

[Zoe]

What for?

[Buddy]

To find out more about him. Almost there.

[Zoe]

Thanks for getting permission for me to come on the bus.

[Buddy]

Oh, yeah, I forgot. The only way I could get you on here is if you agreed to carry all the equipment for the team.

[Zoe]

Awesome.

[Buddy]

I still don't understand why you wanted to come.

[Zoe]

I have to know if it's true. What if switching hearts can change your personality? Think about it, Zoe. What if I was able to get the heart of some brave army guy? I could have the courage of a Soldier, I wouldn't be worried about bullies ever again.

[Dion Farkas]

If Buddy's going to be the first person to ever survive getting flattened by a steamroller, he's going to need some transplants. Do we have anything lying around the hospital that we can transplant into him?

[Mr. Whitaker]

Yes.

[Buddy]

We have the legs of a cheetah,

[Dion Farkas]

the muscles of a grizzly bear, the wings of an eagle, a couple of dolphin flippers, Einstein's brain, the neck of a giraffe, and about 4,000 snakeskins sewn together. He's going to look ridiculous, but when we're done, we may just have the greatest superhero this world has ever seen.

[Zoe]

Excellent.

[Dion Farkas]

Scalpel.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Yes.

[Buddy]

Earth to Buddy, huh? You know, you can't just get a new heart like you're buying fresh batteries. You have to have a bad heart already. And the person you get the heart from, they have to die.

[Zoe]

Oh, yeah, we're here. Who are you interviewing, anyway?

[Buddy]

Jensen's cousin. Mainly a kid named Eric.

[Dion Farkas]

We spent three days straight at the hospital, and the news kept getting worse and worse. The doctor tried everything, and then one night, he came in and just didn't have anything else to try.

[Buddy]

I'm so sorry.

[Dion Farkas]

Yeah, that was a really bad day. Jensen. He didn't last more than a few hours after that.

[Zoe]

What. What was he like?

[Jim Daly]

Quiet.

[Dion Farkas]

A little awkward, but, man, he could be funny if he knew you. He just kept to himself mostly.

[Zoe]

Was he nice?

[Dion Farkas]

I guess.

[Zoe]

Was he, you know, polite?

[Dion Farkas]

Friendly? We didn't talk that much. Yeah, he did yell at me once for eating his gummy bears. To be honest, I just. I didn't get along with him all that well. But I still miss him.

[Zoe]

So he was meant to?

[Dion Farkas]

No, no, no. I wouldn't say he was mean. He was lonely by choice, though. Liked video games more than people.

[Buddy]

When it came time to choose whether or not to use his organs, was it.

[Dion Farkas]

It seemed like an easy decision for his folks. They said if he could help someone else, Jensen would want to do it.

[Buddy]

I don't know if I'm supposed to say this, but I'm pretty sure the boy who got his heart is named Dion.

[Dion Farkas]

Really?

[Buddy]

He lives in Odyssey.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Wow.

[Dion Farkas]

Is he a nice guy?

[Zoe]

He is now.

[Buddy]

There's Dion. Should I tell him?

[Zoe]

Sure. I want to know whose heart I had if I were him.

[Buddy]

Why? Because you want to know what kind of superpowers transfer to you?

[Zoe]

I bet he's curious.

[Buddy]

Oh. Hey, Dion.

[Dion Farkas]

Hey, Zoe. Buddy.

[Buddy]

Hey. I think I know something that you might want to know, but I don't. It might not be my Place to tell you.

[Dion Farkas]

What are you talking about?

[Buddy]

Your heart.

[Dion Farkas]

Huh.

[Zoe]

We think we know who it came from.

[Dion Farkas]

Oh, wow.

[Buddy]

There's a boy in Connellsville who died the day before you got your heart. We think he was your donor.

[Dion Farkas]

What's his name?

[Buddy]

Jensen. Here, I have a picture on my phone.

[Dion Farkas]

How did he.

[Buddy]

He drowned. A boating accident on Pierce Lake.

[Dion Farkas]

Would you. Would you text me his picture? Sure.

[Buddy]

And I'll send you my article before I hand it over to my editor.

[Dion Farkas]

Thanks.

[Buddy]

I need to call Jensen's mom and ask her permission to write about her son.

[Dion Farkas]

You're gonna talk to his mom?

[Buddy]

Yes.

[Dion Farkas]

Well, if that goes well, tell her. Tell her I'd like to talk to her, too.

[Zoe]

He was practically crying right there in front of me, and he didn't even care that I saw. It was so weird.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Why was it weird?

[Zoe]

I've just never seen anything like that from Dion. I'm telling you, Mr. Whitaker, something happened with that heart transplant.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Such as?

[Zoe]

I don't know for sure, but I was thinking about what you always tell us. That the Bible is the best place to go when you have unanswered questions. So that's what I did.

[Mr. Whitaker]

And what did you find?

[Zoe]

This verse. I wrote it down. Ezekiel 36. 26. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

[Mr. Whitaker]

And you think that's what happened to Dion?

[Zoe]

It's exactly what happened. It's obvious, don't you think?

[Mr. Whitaker]

Well, that may be what happened in a sense, but I'm curious about what you think it means.

[Zoe]

Dion got a new heart, and so he got a new spirit. God removed his heart of stone and replaced it with something human.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Perhaps.

[Zoe]

All I can say is Jensen must have been way more human than Dion.

[Mr. Whitaker]

I can't say I agree there.

[Zoe]

You don't think Jensen's heart made Dion more human?

[Mr. Whitaker]

Not the way you seem to be thinking about it. The heart transplant that Dion received was a physical heart. The heart is a muscle. It doesn't literally have anything to do with your personality.

[Zoe]

Then what's the Bible talking about?

[Mr. Whitaker]

Well, in the Old Testament, the heart symbolized the center of the emotions, the center of morality. In the book of First Samuel, when God said that man looks at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart, he wasn't talking about the muscle in your body that pumps blood. God looks at our spirit, our character, our thoughts and feelings.

[Zoe]

So the transplant had nothing to do with Dion's change in personality.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Oh, I believe it probably did. Here's the thing. You tend to see Dion as your enemy. But the problem is, when we only think of a person as an enemy, we forget that they're also human beings. People with feelings, families. Favorite basketball teams.

[Zoe]

The Bulls. He wears their jerseys.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Exactly. You see, changing physical hearts with someone can't change your personality. But God can absolutely change your symbolic heart. Through circumstances, or through other people, or through his love. Don't you think it's possible that Dion's personality difference could be due to the fact that he just went through an emotional, life changing experience?

[Zoe]

He did almost die.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Yes. And if God also desires, he can use that kind of situation to soften the hardest of hearts.

[Buddy]

Can you turn off your burner, buddy?

[Zoe]

Sure. Are you done with your article?

[Buddy]

Almost. I just need to figure out how to end it. Please wash out your beakers before you leave. The bell should be ringing in three or four minutes.

[Dion Farkas]

Hey, Zoey, buddy.

[Buddy]

Hi, Dion.

[Zoe]

Hi. I like your shirt.

[Dion Farkas]

Bulls are my favorite team.

[Zoe]

Yeah, I know. Mine too.

[Dion Farkas]

Good man.

[Zoe]

Dion, I wanted to let you know that. Well, I've thought about it and I do.

[Dion Farkas]

You. You do what?

[Zoe]

Forgive you? You asked me a few days ago and I said I'd think about it and I did.

[Dion Farkas]

Oh, thanks, buddy. I appreciate it. Hey, Zoe. I wanted to invite you over to Wit's End after school.

[Buddy]

Oh, for what?

[Dion Farkas]

Well, I talked to Jensen's mother and we're gonna meet at wit's end at 4 o' clock and I thought you might wanna be there, you know, for your story.

[Zoe]

It's 4:03. She should be here soon.

[Dion Farkas]

My parents just texted me. They'll be here in a few minutes.

[Mr. Whitaker]

That's good. Are you doing okay, Dionne?

[Dion Farkas]

I'm kind of nervous.

[Buddy]

Why?

[Dion Farkas]

I don't know. I mean, I just want Jensen's mom to like me.

[Buddy]

Hi, I'm looking for a Dion Farkas.

[Dion Farkas]

I'm Dion. Are you Mrs. Dunlap?

[Buddy]

Yes. It's so nice to meet you. How are you feeling?

[Dion Farkas]

Great. Doctors are kind of amazed how fast the recovery went.

[Buddy]

I'm so glad. So everything went well with the surgery?

[Dion Farkas]

Yes. I read Zoe's article about him. Jensen, I mean, he did cross country.

[Buddy]

He did not. On his own. He was completely happy playing video games in his room. But we made him pick an extracurricular activity. He picked cross country because it was something he thought he could do by himself. Running alone in the woods. He liked solitude.

[Dion Farkas]

Well, I'm kind of the opposite. I like noise and I hate running.

[Buddy]

What do you like doing?

[Dion Farkas]

Drawing puzzles and playing with my dog.

[Buddy]

What kind of dog do you have?

[Dion Farkas]

Black Lab. Sonny's his name.

[Buddy]

Jensen Drew a little bit too. He used to make me the cutest birthday cards. I still have them. I've been looking at them a lot lately.

[Dion Farkas]

I really want to say that I appreciate.

[Buddy]

You don't have to do that, Dion. It's enough to look at you.

[Dion Farkas]

I brought a stethoscope. Would you like to listen to your son's heart? I'd like that very much. Do you hear it?

[Buddy]

He's very strong.

[Dion Farkas]

Can I hug you?

[Zoe]

Yes.

[Buddy]

Could I listen again, please?

[Jim Daly]

Sure.

[Dion Farkas]

You're.

[Zoe]

I think you were right, Mr. Whitaker.

[Mr. Whitaker]

Oh, about what?

[Zoe]

God. Changing hearts. I think he just changed mine.

[John Fuller]

What a powerful conclusion of this special edition of Focus on the Family, featuring an Adventures in Odyssey episode called have a Heart.

[Jim Daly]

It's a wonderful story, John, and so enjoyable for children. It's full of imagination and it allows people. This is the one thing I hear often from kids that I meet that listen to Odyssey. One, they know the script, I mean, almost verbatim. Secondly, from the parents. They'll talk about how it helps the kids grow their imagination, which is why we do it. But also those thought provoking values that we want kids to catch. How God can transform anyone, even the school bully. And they hear that and it really is exceptional. And this is just one of many episodes we've produced over almost 40 years now.

[John Fuller]

And over a thousand episodes are available. That library is growing all the time. And you and your children can listen to these dramas on the radio, or purchase them from our website, or sign up for the Adventures in Odyssey club, where for a small monthly fee, families can access the entire library of episodes and also special members only content.

[Jim Daly]

And the big news is our new animated movie, Journey into the Impossible, which will introduce a new generation of families to Adventures in Odyssey. Journey into the Impossible is a thrilling origin story about Mr. Whitaker, or Wit, as we call him, and his family. Moving to the town of Odyssey. It's kind of the prequel. There's going to be lots of action and mystery and fun for the whole family. So check it out at our website to get a sneak peek. And you know the point of Adventures in Odyssey is to entertain, but mostly inspire and point kids of all ages to Jesus Christ. And it's our goal to reach 7 million new children and their families with the gospel through this film. That's a big goal, but I think we can do it and we're inviting you to help us reach that goal

[John Fuller]

and you can be part of helping us finish this film, Journey into the Impossible, and launch it in theaters this fall. Now, some generous friends have agreed to provide us with a matching opportunity up to $1 million. And we need to hear from you right away. Our fundraising deadline is May 1, so every dollar you give is going to be doubled.

[Jim Daly]

And John, here's why we produce Adventures in Odyssey and why we're inviting families to donate to this project. A girl named Victoria recently sent us this comment. I'm 14 and I love Odyssey. It's one of the main reasons I became a Christian at 4 years old. I was born with some difficult physical conditions which required four major surgeries between the ages of 2 to 10, and every day is a physical struggle, but God Odyssey were there for me. I wish you could know how much of a positive impact you've made on my life. That's good.

[John Fuller]

That's so touching. That's just incredible how God uses those dramas to reach out and really transform a life.

[Jim Daly]

See what happens when we work together to strengthen and support families. And we want to invite you to donate today and double your gift towards this important project. Help us reach more children like Victoria and their families.

[John Fuller]

Contact us today. Donate as you can. The number is 800, the letter A in the word family. 800-232-6459, where you'll find the details about Adventures in Odyssey and that Odyssey club I mentioned. Also the new movie, of course, Journey into the Impossible by clicking the links in the show notes. Thanks for listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly. I'm John Fuller inviting you back as we once again help you and your family thrive in Christ.

[Jim Daly]

Live your truth. A lot of people say that, don't they? But truth isn't something we decide. God has decided it for us, and it's our job as believers to share his truth with a world in need. I'll encourage you to do that through my podcast, Refocus with Jim Daly. I visit with fascinating guests about important topics like gender confusion, cancel culture, and more, while helping you share God's love with others. [e-mail].