What Happens When God Shows Up?

Summary

The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast Episode: "What Happens When God Shows Up?" Date: April 28, 2026 Host: Candace Cameron Bure (A) | Guest Co-Host: Pastor Francis Chan (B)

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the times when "God shows up"—those moments of profound spiritual encounter, transformation, and overflowing love. Host Candace Cameron Bure and guest co-host Pastor Francis Chan discuss faith-driven service, navigating joy and pain through a spiritual lens, personal stories of God's presence, and practical ways to deepen one's relationship with God, even in difficult circumstances. Their conversation is honest, compassionate, and peppered with warmth and humor, aiming to equip listeners with encouragement and tools for living out kindness, class, and purpose.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Joy and Overflow of Serving God

Timestamps: 09:09–12:17

• Francis shares that serving God should not feel like a burden or duty but as an exciting overflow of the love we've experienced:

  "Sometimes we think about serving God, like, yeah, I really should... This is like, such a joy of my life." (B, 09:09)

• He recounts early mission trips, particularly one to Uganda with Candace's mom, emphasizing the realness and fullness found in helping others.
• Service from a place of fullness results in joy and deep satisfaction, contrasting with serving from guilt or obligation.

2. Experiencing Overflow Amid Suffering

Timestamps: 12:17–13:28

• Francis points to the testimony of Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who has endured immense suffering with contagious joy, as an example of God’s love overflowing even in hardship.
• Candace asks how someone can find overflow when enduring “one blow after another.”
• Quote:

  "She's able to impart something. She has struggled more than anyone I know... and the amount of joy is beyond what I've ever had." (B, 12:17)

3. Storytelling: Transformed Lives Through Mission

Timestamps: 16:25–19:50

• Francis recounts bringing his children to Ethiopia and Uganda to witness first-hand the lasting impact of giving away their family wealth to bless others.
• Memorable stories include supporting women liberated from sex trafficking, witnessing their graduation and transformation, and sponsoring a child who grew up to become a doctor.
• Quote:

  "If that's all I did with my life was just for this one graduating class, that's a great life." (B, 17:57)

4. Navigating Wealth, Generosity, and Guidance

Timestamps: 19:50–23:48

• Candace wonders if balance is possible between enjoying comfort and giving generously.
• Francis shares personal anecdotes about wrestling with spending, the value of prayerful discernment, and how God sometimes confirms decisions in surprising ways (e.g., finding a $20 bill after praying about whether he could buy museum tickets).
• On God's provision:

  "God somehow blesses you, and you just feel your way towards life... And there are times when you just... you sense it, like, 'eh, I shouldn't have spent that.'" (B, 23:08)

5. Joy and Sorrow: How Both Coexist in Faith

Timestamps: 29:00–35:16

• Candace asks how Francis experiences both deep joy and pain, and how those emotions coexist within a life of faith.
• Francis reflects on the biblical view of God’s emotions, referencing Ecclesiastes 7 and personal experience at a memorial service.

  "Grieving isn’t a weakness. If God does it... I want to feel it." (B, 29:08)

• The wisdom of embracing mourning and emotions, rather than seeking escape or numbing, is highlighted.
• Advice from a friend: "You need to feel the pain, but be able to endure it." (B, 34:21)

6. Experiencing God's Presence: Miracles and Healing

Timestamps: 35:32–41:20

• Francis details a transformative experience in Burma where, after sharing the gospel in a remote village that had never heard Jesus' name, multiple miraculous healings occur as he prays for villagers.
• The story reinforces how God sometimes "shows up" powerfully in impossible-seeming situations.
• Memorable Moment:

  "My translator is like, she looks perfectly normal to me." (B, 40:31)

• Candace exclaims: "Are you kidding?" (A, 40:37)
• This experience leaves both awestruck at God’s willingness to move beyond their expectations.

7. Addressing Spiritual Dryness: Listener Q&A

Timestamps: 41:32–45:24

• Listener asks how to rekindle motivation for spiritual disciplines when feeling spiritually dry or distracted.
• Francis and Candace advise simple, honest prayer:

  "I sometimes pray and just tell God, God, I don't have the desire to go be with you right now. Please change that. Because I don't want to be this way. And God really is faithful to that prayer." (B, 41:47)

• They discuss the importance of fasting—not just from food, but from everyday distractions and "snacking on other pleasures"—to restore spiritual hunger.
• Candace:

  "He always gives me the desire when it comes to him and being with him... Desire to pray more. He always does." (A, 42:12)

8. Fasting as Spiritual Renewal

Timestamps: 45:24–46:29

• Candace shares about recently fasting and how, despite its difficulty, it brings clarity and closeness with God.
• Francis underscores that making room for God sometimes means letting go of other comforts or habits—a recurring theme of the episode.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Francis Chan on Overflow:

  "Rather than you're just so thrilled with what God's done for you that you just look forward to telling someone about it or sharing his love in some way." (B, 10:50)

• Francis on Miracles:

  "She goes, yes, I'm good… Next person, next person. Every person that came forward, I was like, whoa, this is insane." (B, 39:05)

• Candace on Seeking God:

  "He always gives me the desire when it comes to him and being with him... Desire to spend time with him." (A, 42:12)

• Francis on Suffering and Joy:

  "There’s something bigger than that. It’s God revealing that he genuinely loves me, and me genuinely believing that and receiving that just makes me so happy, so full." (B, 13:31)

• On Real Emotions:

  "Grieving isn’t a weakness. If God does it... Jesus, when he was on the earth, he wept... I want to feel it." (B, 29:08)

• On Balance in Generosity:

  "You just feel your way towards life, and there’s times when you sense it, like, 'Eh, I shouldn’t have spent that.' Sorry." (B, 23:48)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Service as Joy & Overflow: 09:09–12:17
• Finding Overflow Amid Trials: 12:17–13:28
• Stories of Impact & Generosity: 16:25–19:50
• Conversation on Wealth & Giving: 19:50–23:48
• Joy & Pain in Spiritual Life: 29:00–35:16
• Powerful Healing Story (Burma): 35:32–41:20
• Listener Q&A: Rekindling Faith: 41:32–45:24
• Fasting and Spiritual Hunger: 45:24–46:29

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Tone, Language, and Style

Candace and Francis maintain an open, richly emotional, and faith-driven tone throughout. Their authenticity shines in vulnerable admissions, practical advice, and a persistent posture of gratitude and humility.

Humor and playful banter (especially early on, e.g., discussing Francis’s wish to act in a Christmas or kung fu film) create an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.

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For Listeners (Takeaways)

• Deep overflow and "God showing up" is often experienced when serving out of love, not duty.
• Joy and pain are not opposites in a life of faith; both can deepen our connection to God.
• Praying for desire—honestly and simply—is powerful in renewing spiritual motivation.
• Sacrificing comfort or routine (via giving or fasting) often leads to greater spiritual satisfaction.
• Embrace the full range of emotions; do not rush grief or mask spiritual hunger with distractions.
• God’s presence and miracles may arise in unexpected, sometimes uncomfortable places.

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Final Thought:
This episode encourages listeners that "life is like a rollercoaster," but together—with God and one another—it becomes a journey of compassion, overflow, and hope.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[A]

Before we begin today's conversation, I want to give you a heads up. We will be talking about some sensitive subjects. This episode is intended for mature ears, so please listen with this in mind.

[B]

So I prayed for her. She goes, no, the pain's all gone. Let's pray again. I prayed again. And then my translator is like, she looks perfectly normal to me.

[A]

I go, are you kidding?

[B]

Me too, wow. It was just like, whoa.

[A]

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[B]

Hey.

[A]

Welcome back.

[B]

Thank you. It's so funny. Like, do you like this? Like, you just. You look different every time. That seems fun.

[A]

Oh, you meaning change my outfit and my hair?

[B]

Yeah, just like, ah, I wish I could do that, you know? Well, it just would be fun to just change. I just look exactly the same every day.

[A]

Collar? No collar.

[B]

There you go. That's true. I did dress up this time.

[A]

You did? You dressed up.

[B]

Feeling intimidated?

[A]

Not at all. But this has, like, been my whole life, since I was 5 years old, in front of the camera and makeup and hair and clothes, and that's why I love it all so much. I didn't think about 45 years.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Yeah. So, yeah.

[B]

It's funny because I remember, like, you know, your mom and dad and they came to the church and. And everything else, and I knew that you and Kirk were, you know.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And. And acting and. It's funny. There's part of me that always wondered, gosh, I had asked Barbara, hey, could you cast me for something? Like, I always wanted to be in, like, a movie or something, like, just where I'm just like, francis. Totally not me. I'm doing something just so out of.

[A]

Correct. I can make that happen.

[B]

You put me like a Hallmark movie or something.

[A]

Yes. Great American family. Yes.

[B]

My wife's like, don't do it, you know, But I'm like, it's just like a bucket list thing. It just. I think I can. I think I could act.

[A]

Can I help make that happen? Please, let's do it. I would love to.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I. Yes, I can do that.

[B]

My real dream was to be in a kung fu movie. Like, just be like, would you probably don't do a lot of those.

[A]

I don't do kung fu movies, but.

[B]

But it would just a Christmas movie

[A]

or a mystery movie.

[B]

I could be hilarious. I want, like a real part. Like, not just I walk in the background.

[A]

Okay. Not about. You want a few lines?

[B]

Yeah, give me a few lines.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Would you want to play yourself? I mean, you don't want to. Oh, no.

[B]

You said that you don't want to play myself.

[A]

So you want.

[B]

I feel like I could be anything.

[A]

Do you want to play like the Chinese medicine man or something.

[B]

Sure, sure. Exactly. Herbs or whatever.

[A]

Okay, you tell me what your dream part, aside from the kung fu mascot. Or there could be a class that's some kind of karate and you could be teaching.

[B]

I kind of want to be like, the bad guy or just like.

[A]

Yeah, okay, let me think about that. Because in Christmas movies, there aren't really bad guys.

[B]

That's true. Yeah. I don't know. I don't know if there's like, a guy that.

[A]

I mean, listen, you could be selling the Christmas trees.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. That would be hilarious.

[A]

That makes me laugh. Okay, we will. We will think about that.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I mean, we're gonna make it happen.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

We need to make it happen.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

We've been talking through your book Beloved, and we have a question today from Candace.com and we talk about the Bible a lot here on the podcast because it's really my favorite book to talk about. But Laurie is one of our listeners, and she's asking, other than the Bible, what are your favorite books to read?

[B]

Whoa, whoa. There is

[A]

just in general, do you read.

[B]

Yeah. Fiction or nonfiction?

[A]

You don't read any fiction? I don't read any fiction either. Unless it's a script.

[B]

Yes. I mean, I end up reading a lot of theological books, but as far as what I enjoy is I just love, like, things about the character of God, you know, like Tozer and then I like some of the mystics I just read Enjoying the Fullness of Jesus Christ by Jean Guion. Some of the older writers, it seemed like they knew God in such a deeper way. And so I love to learn and let my imagination go. Wow, God. People knew you like that. I want to know you like that. Or even more.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I tend to read those kinds of books as well. Anything that's about the character of God or somehow deepening my relationship with God. Because I feel like if I'm going to spend time reading a book, I want to learn something. I want it to be edifying. If I want mindless. Something that I watch tv.

[B]

Exactly. Yeah.

[A]

But I've read your book twice, as I stated, so the top of 2026.

[B]

Perfect.

[A]

You're on the list.

[B]

Good, good, good.

[A]

It's so bad. I try to read 12 books a year, which sounds little, but I try to read at least one a month.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because I read a lot of scripts. I do a lot of.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

In my life. So an actual book. I try. But do I. Does it count that I've read yours twice?

[B]

Yeah, I think so. So you could do for January and February.

[A]

Perfect. It's perfect.

[B]

Yeah. So now go watch some more shows.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. Well, today we're going to talk about the overflow. The overflow of God's love. How that overflows and pours out in you. What do you want to share with us today?

[B]

Well, I think what I want to share is, like, sometimes we think about serving God. Like, yeah, I really should. I got it. And such a terrible, sad way to look at it, because it's. This is like, such a joy of my life. Okay. Like, go back to the cornerstone days. Like, your mom came to Africa with me.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know, and that's.

[A]

Right, right.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. She. She went to Uganda with me, and I just. I loved it because she made these chocolate chip cookies, like, tons of them, and we're just eating them through the whole trip. But there was just. We were so alive. Like, this is the best. You know, just were laughing, were in tears and. And then to be able to help these people and build homes from. Get water to them, you know, start schools and get these kids educated, get them sponsored. It's just like, you just feel like, okay, I could die now and I am a happy man. Like, that's serving the Lord in a lot of ways. Like, it's not like this duty, but it's like, wow, God has given me so much. I'm so full. I just want to share it with someone. And then when you see the results, you're like, wow, this is so great. Versus, there's other times where, you know, maybe I haven't had the right attitude. And. And maybe if there was insecurity, then I feel like, yeah, I gotta give more. I got. I have to, have to, have to. Rather than the thrill of, wow, there's a purpose for my earth, my living on the earth. Like, God made me for this. This is so cool. I was used. And I think, you know, when we're tired, we're all going to have those days. But hopefully after you're serving, you're just, like, more full, like, filled with more life. And so the idea of overflow is when you're not serving because you feel like you're in debt or something and you've got to pay something off, rather than you're just so thrilled with what God's done for you that you just look forward to telling someone about it or sharing his love in some way.

[A]

Well, you speak to the person who's saying, I want to feel that, but I. My circumstances are terrible, and it's one blow after another.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I don't know how to. To even find the joy in my relationship with God, let alone have an overflow.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, in one of the previous podcasts we talked about Joni Eareckson. Tada. And I just, again, would. I would much rather point to someone like that and go, just watch the video with her, and that'll answer all those questions. Because she's able to impart something. She has struggled more than anyone I know physically, everything. Like, she's lived a really difficult life. And the amount of joy is beyond what I've ever had. And so that's why I kind of deflect and go, just go watch her. And I think half an hour listening to her and it'll answer all those questions.

[A]

Well, do you have a time in your life or a story that you could share when the overflow from someone else changed your life?

[B]

That's a good point. Yeah. I mean, I guess that's what that is.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It's like. And I told Joni, I go, you know, you're so special to me because anytime I just want to complain or I feel like, oh, this is too hard, I go, I think about you, and I go, she would love to be in this situation. And so I just stops me from complaining and makes me. It reminds me of how blessed I am. And. And it's not like. How do I put this? It's not. Because I have been blessed with a great family and great family life and amazing relationship with my kids, and they have amazing. That's all good, great. But there's something bigger than that. It's God revealing that he genuinely loves me, and me genuinely believing that and receiving that just makes me so happy, so full. And then it makes me. It's. It's like, okay, like, last night, I ate these tacos from this taco truck, and they were so good. This is right down the street here.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I want to take all my friends there. It's like, gosh, it's this little taco truck. It was so good. This queso berea. And it was like, oh, I. I just want to tell you about it. You should go there before you hit the airport. Like, it's probably terrible for you, but it's great. It's delicious. And like, we. We often don't think that way about the Lord, where we taste of him and we see he's so good. It's like, okay, you gotta do this. I mean, that's kind of what we're Doing. Right. We're trying to help people understand, like, when you're alone with God and. And he ministers to you, it's so good. And then I'm saying no. And then when you go to, like, people that are in serious need and you feed them, it's like, even better. It's like, yeah, you're. You're doing what you were created for. I mean, some of my greatest moments in life were when I was out in the most uncomfortable situations. And you experience God moving. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Tell us about some of that. Because you. I mean, when you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Do you. Do you say that you left Cornerstone or you moved on from Cornerstone, but you have devoted your life to working with the poor and vulnerable and sex trafficking.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

People and talk about those experiences and what the overflow was like in your life.

[B]

Yeah. Like, I. I just took my kids to Ethiopia and Uganda, like my four youngest, because some of them had. None of them had. Had been to those two countries. And I just wanted to show them, like, hey, mom and dad made a lot of money and it's all gone. You don't really get an inheritance. And here's why. I want you to see these places. And so in Ethiopia, they got to see the graduation from the school that, you know, the book money had built. And here are these women who were sex trafficked or prostitutes, and. And they got to live here. And I mean, they lived in horrible conditions. They were just in these rooms that were just big enough for a bed. And then guy after guy would come in, you know, for like $5 each. And then their kids are under the bed, and, like, this is where they were. And now look at them. They are dancing, jumping is their graduation. It's like a trade school where they're learning to sew, learning to do, and then we help them start businesses and. And all of them are in love with Jesus. And they're jumping up and down in their caps and gowns and. And I'm explaining to the kids, I go, if that's all I did with my life was just for this one graduating class, that's a great life.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Do you know how full I feel right now? And then, you know, then to take them to a hospital and. And, you know, we're just so many kids in this hospital. But, you know, the one of the doctors came over and said, look, this kid just came in two days ago. You know, we had to recess. Took six hours just to bring her back to life. And now, you know, and here's this boy. He's 10 years old. He weighed, like, 30 pounds. Like, it was just like, skin and bones and. But it's. It's working. And. And for my kids to see that and go, wow, I am so glad this is where the money went. You know how many thousands of people are alive today? And to think that we had a little part in that. We got to taste that. That's not, like, bummer stuff.

[A]

No.

[B]

You know, I'm like, you're gonna tell me, like, a Ferrari would have made me happier or a big house would have made me happier. Yeah. And I'll show them pictures. Like, look at this girl. When we saw her. Look at the picture and now look at her. And you know, like, she would have died, like, within days. We didn't help her. And now look at her 10 years later and Uganda. Like, the trip. I went with your mom years ago, like, sponsoring those kids, you know, I don't think much of it. It was like, okay, this little boy, and we sponsored him through school, and then he just kept going. We kept sponsoring him, and now he's a doctor. And now we're like, incredible, you know, looking at him in the hospital, and he's like, yeah, this is where I do this, this. And we're like, ah, like, the fullness of that. Yeah. It's just the best.

[A]

It is the best. I do think you're, again, an incredible example of that. But most. I shouldn't say most people, but someone like me is like, yeah, but can I do both? Could I have a nice house and give lots away or what? I have to give. Give away.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I still consider myself, like, I still consider myself rich, you know, it's so. You don't ever want to get to the point where. No, if you spend over 30,000 a year, then, you know, you're in sin. Like, who has that number? And I think I used to even feel guilty for any little spending. That was selfish. And I just think the Holy Spirit, he started working in me, for example, one time years ago. I'm with my kids, we're going to a museum, and we're in line getting tickets. You know, I don't know, we were on a trip somewhere, and. And I thought, oh, this cost $20, you know, to pay for all four. You know, I'm like, can I spend the $20? It's like five bucks each. And I'm seriously wrestling with this in line. And I pray about. I'm like, God, do you really want me to spend it? So I just pull the kids out of line. I pray. I look down, and there's a $20 bill on the ground.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

What? I literally. I pick it up, I go, did someone drop a $20 bill? And no one says that they did, which is another miracle.

[A]

That is a miracle.

[B]

And I'm just laughing like, that is ridiculous. I mean, things like that where I just pray and I go, okay. For example, like, I enjoy golf. And I used to be able to just out drive all of my friends. I was like, just that man thing to do. Like, okay, you beat me. But I hit it farther. And then they started buying those bigger clubs. This is way back.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so I thought, okay, then I'm gonna go buy a big club. And I got to the golf store. I'm like, I can't spend that kind of money. I don't have any peace. And so I don't buy it. Next day or a few days later, I'm speaking at a little church for a friend. And at the end, he goes, hey, I heard that when you speak to little churches like this, sometimes, like, they'll give you a check and you just give it back. Yeah. He goes, so we didn't. We didn't write you a check. We bought you this driver. I'm like, what? I go, did you know? I go. He goes, I wasn't sure. I go, this is crazy. Like, the whole way home, I'm just laughing. Like, God, are you kidding me? Like, something is dumb as a driver, something, you know, where there's just times where I literally feel like God's like, just take your daughter to Disneyland or whatever. Like, there's peace about certain things. And there's other times where I'm like, oh, I shouldn't have bought that, or, I shouldn't have spent that. And. And I don't know. I don't know how to describe that. We just don't want to be like, these. Making these rules.

[A]

Right.

[B]

It's like God, I think, really does direct us, and sometimes we do feel like that was too much. But I. Again, it's like, I have no regrets giving the stuff away, because then, you know, Val pays for golf that way. So. I'm glad you have money. No, it's just, you know, it's like you. God somehow blesses you, and you just feel your way towards life, and there's times when you just. You sense it, like, eh, I shouldn't have spent that. And sorry.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And other times where, you know, you pray beforehand and there's no peace. And so you're like, yeah, I better not I'll be happier without it.

[A]

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[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I would just love to know how those two things coexist.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In your life.

[B]

I really. You know, it's interesting because a lot of times when we think of God, we don't think think about him feeling like it's like someone that strong couldn't feel almost like we see him like this machine. And then you read the scriptures and it's talking about how he's laughing and how he's blessed, which means happy. He just, it talks about how he grieves and you can grieve the Holy Spirit. You know, we talked about Noah, I think in the first episode, and we're talking about how it says. But it says in that passage that he was grieved that he made man. Oh really? And he's grieved when we slander each other and we don't like what really? Does that really mean that? And I look it up in Greek or Hebrew. I was like, oh, it really means that. And then you realize, no, God, where did our emotions come from? I believe he grieves. I believe he rejoices. Grieving isn't a weakness. It's if God does it. I mean, Jesus, when he was on the earth, he wept, you know, so it's like, I want to feel it. You know, when we were at that memorial service, I preached out of Ecclesiastes and. And it was so. It's such a beautiful passage, Ecclesiastes 7, where he says, it's better to go to the house of mourning than to go. Than to go to the house of feasting. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning. You know, it's like, this isn't a bad emotion, like from Solomon the wisest. And he's saying things that.

[A]

Keep expanding on that, because now I'm remembering all of the things that you said at that service about that. And I never thought about it that way. Better to be in the house of mourning.

[B]

Yes, he says, because the living will lay it to heart. And it's. There's something good, because he starts that passage off saying, the day of death is better than the day of birth, which is the opposite of what we teach in this culture.

[A]

Right? We don't want to die.

[B]

Yes, exactly. But it's like, if we have this hope, that's the best. And then he says, it's wise to stay in the house of mourning. And he says, the fools just want to run after the party. But to stay in the house of mourning, it's like, the living will lay this to heart. It's like, that's why at the memorial service, I'm like, this is the one time you're gonna think about death. But I do so many memorial services where everyone's, like, dressed to the hilt. Girls coming in mini skirts because they're gonna party afterwards. Like, they just want to forget. Oh, you know, like, okay, he wouldn't want us to be sad. Let's go party, you know? And it's like, no, this. This is one of the few times you're going to think about that moment, the most important moment of your existence. You're going to find yourself before a holy God. See this body up here? That's going to be you any second. And you're a fool if you don't think about it yet. The world is like, no, don't think about those things. That's morbid. No, it's reality. And you don't want to wait till it's too late. You don't want to, like, oh, shoot, I was just partying and playing my whole life, and I never really thought about facing God. I didn't really ask myself, wow, am I in right relationship with him? Am I afraid to see him, or am I excited to see him? And there's something about the mourning and the grieving and the staying there. That's a good thing. And so I. I don't believe that I'm one to deaden and that God wants me to deaden my emotions, that when I'm hurt, that's okay. And when I feel the sadness, Bible says it's wise to just stay there, mourn it. It was difficult. You're really going to miss that person. You're really going to be. Life's not going to be the same without him or her here. And it's okay, stay that way. Whereas the world's. Hey, don't cry. Don't cry. It's going to be okay. You know, God has a plan. Or it's like, just let me mourn. Just let her mourn for a while. The Bible says there's something healthy in that. And so there is sadness that I feel. I remember one time. Did you. Oh, yeah, you knew. Dave Phillips, Children's Hunger Fun.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Your mom was on the board with me.

[A]

She was.

[B]

And remember one time he said to me, he goes, francis, you are very. What did he say? Sensitive. And you need to get thicker skin. Not because. I don't mean you become callous. I'm just saying thicker skin. He says, being sensitive is a good thing because I've seen you overseas and your heart breaks when you see sin. Don't lose that. But then sometimes people say things to you, and again, you just get so sensitive to it. And I thought, wow, that's true. And he goes, somehow you can. You need to feel the pain, but be able to endure it. And it was just.

[A]

Did you appreciate that conversation?

[B]

I really did. Yeah. At first I thought he was calling me a sissy, but I realized, okay, I see what you're saying.

[A]

You know, you. You shared the gospel with your Uber driver. You share the gospel everywhere. I would love to know what is a story when you shared the gospel that stands out to you.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

One of many. I'm. Well, I'm sure.

[B]

I think the one that stands out the most was being in Burma, and I'm in a village that had never heard of Jesus never heard the name of Jesus.

[A]

What?

[B]

And somehow it was set up that these Americans are going to come and, and the, whatever, the village leader had the whole tribe or group of people show up there and share with us. And I'm thinking, God, these people have never even heard Jesus. And I'm supposed to convince them that God created them, sent his son to pay for all of their sins and they can be forgiven and begin a relationship with this Jesus that they have never heard of. And I see these older ladies in the front, I see, I just even

[A]

remember, like, did you have a translator?

[B]

I did, I did. And the translator I found out later said he tried to go to that group before and they stoned him like he was running for his life. He didn't tell me till after.

[A]

Wow. So what changed?

[B]

But I felt something of that. There was some lady who was a believer that went and helped them with a water project, whatever, and without preaching said, hey, I have some friends that are coming, would you just let them. And because she'd been so good to the village, they, they let us come and just share. And I had some fear there because I knew there was some. I didn't know it was as bad until after I was done, but I even remember because I was on the second story of this thing and there's a window behind me and I literally was charting my way of escape. And it's funny, my son in law Justin was there, he told me later, he goes, yeah. I kept thinking, what are they going to do to him? And I was already charting a way to get to you. And I'm like, that's funny. So it's kind of like a guy thing. You're scoping out the room, I can knock that guy out, I'm gonna run out. You know, like it was one of those moments. But then I'm also praying like, God, I don't know how to get, how do I get people to believe this? Here's this 80, 80 year old woman sitting in the front. What am I gonna convince her through a translator that everything she's believed has been off and here's the way to Christ, to heaven, to forgiveness, to true life. And I said, God, you have to do something. And I mean, you know, growing up at Cornerstone, I never talked about healing. I never talked about, I didn't believe in all of that stuff. And then even after I started believing it later on in life, I never healed anyone, but I share the message. And then my friend gets up and says, hey, we want to something like show you God's power. And if you have anything that. Where you need healing, come up and have Francis pray for you. And I'm thinking, oh, shoot. I was like, I've never heard. Why did you point to me?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I'm like, lord, you have to please. And first person comes up, tells me about her foot, and I pray and ask translator, did anything happen? She goes, yes, I'm good. Next person, next person. Every person that came forward, I was like, whoa, this is insane. And I've never had a time like it again, but I've never been in that situation again.

[A]

That's incredible.

[B]

It really was, because I felt like I got to experience the presence of God. I remember there's one lady, her face was swollen, like, and she's telling me she had these headaches, you know, because the. Whatever this is. And through the translator. And so I prayed for her, and then I asked translator, she goes, no, the pain's all gone. And then she goes, can you ask him to get rid of the swelling? And we're looking at her face, and I'm like, okay, let's pray. And the translator, you know, I prayed. And then translator looks at me and goes, does her face seem like it went down quite a bit? I go, yes, let's pray again. I prayed again. And then my translator is like, she looks perfectly normal to me.

[A]

Are you kidding?

[B]

Me, too. You know, so that I. I knew I wasn't imagining it because my translator is coming, and there's this red, like, line here. I go, I'm trying to get rid of that, but it was still there afterwards. It was a birthmark. Wow. It was just like, whoa, Whoa. Oh, my gosh. Your face. You know, so there were just those moments. And I'm so glad the translator was there, so. Because I can be so skeptical, like, well, maybe I imagined it, because he's asking me, and I'm like, yeah, that's what I see, too. This is crazy. You know, and maybe everyone else faked it or, you know, So I think that was something.

[A]

That's a pretty great story. Well, let's take a listener question. This is from Cammie. And not sure if Cammie's a girl or a guy.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But the question is, I often feel unmotivated to pursue spiritual disciplines. I teach others how to do it, but find myself unable to focus on the spiritual aspects of my life. What can I do to change my mindset?

[B]

That's a good question. I would say two things. First is, I sometimes pray and just tell God. God, I Don't have the desire to go be with you right now. Please change that. Because I don't want to be this way. And God really is faithful to that prayer.

[A]

Always is, isn't it? I prayed that so many times. And he always gives me the desire when it comes to him and being with him. Desire to read the B Bible. Desire to spend time with him.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Desire to pray more. Yeah. What? He always does.

[B]

And I don't know how he does.

[A]

Think about it.

[B]

I'm so glad you said that, because I'm like, I hope I'm not the only one that experienced.

[A]

He does.

[B]

Yeah. And suddenly it's like, ah, that's weird. I have this desire.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

He didn't say anything. Obviously did something. So that would be. It's. It's different from our relationships with people. Like, it'd be weird if you went to Val and said, hey, Val, I just really don't want to be with you. Like, make me want to be with you.

[A]

That's weird.

[B]

That's super weird. But with God, it isn't. You know, he's aware of our weaknesses, and he knows how the enemy has been trying to mess with us. And so it's like, okay, God, can you just help me? Because I'm not feeling it. I would rather surf or golf or just go for a run or whatever. Yeah, I don't really run. I don't know why I said that, but

[A]

do you surf?

[B]

Not anymore. I do occasionally. I'm looking at the past now, but I guess the other thing I would say is it's kind of like when we snack all day on stuff, then we have this awesome meal that's coming at dinner, and we're like, I'm not even hungry. And to have a hunger for God, you're going to have to let go of all these things that you're snacking on, you know, which is the screenshot. You're just filling your life with so many other pleasures. Like Jeremiah 2 talks about, like, these. These empty cisterns that they're like wells that don't hold water, but you keep trying to, and you temporarily fill yourself. Yourself with all this other junk. And that's why fasting is good. And it's like, okay, I'm just too into food right now and too into just indulging. And I just want to empty myself of everything and be filled up with you. And some of that. I mean, it. It is discipline. You don't. You're not always going to feel like it. And so you just force Yourself and, and then you're grateful afterwards. It's like working out, right? You know, the times I do get regular about working out, which is not right now. It's still a chore. It's like every day it's like there's a plate of sushi and there's the treadmill, you know, like it.

[A]

Yeah, I know.

[B]

And so it's, it's the same thing. It's. We just fill ourselves up with other pleasures and it kind of masks our need for God.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Fasting, we're going to wrap this up. But fasting's been interesting and I'm wanting to do more of that this year. I just did a quick 34 hour fast last week. I was traveling, so I'm like, I feel like it's a good time for me to travel. I'm not really moving. I'm sitting on an airplane.

[B]

Yes, yes, yes.

[A]

And so it makes it a little bit easier to fast. And as hard as it is, just for that one meal at night, I'm like, oh, I don't want to go to bed hungry. It feels like the worst thing. But yeah, you're drawing closer to God in those moments. But I wake up and I feel so much better. And as much as I was dreading this last one, I'm really looking forward to my 48 hour fast. And that discipline's great, but it's just scary. You brought up fasting, but that's the

[B]

thing is you have to let go of certain things to make room for other things.

[A]

Yeah, it's good. Okay, we're. We're. You're coming back next week. We have our final episode. Okay, I can't wait. Remember that we have a free guide for you this season, an excerpt from my upcoming book Wild Hope, and It's [e-mail] the Together community is a place for ongoing private podcast discussion, monthly challenges, and a place to encourage each other. It's been so great to get to know you there, there. So if you want to join, please go to Candace.com together for details about how to become a monthly member. Until next time, be grateful all day, every day. Candy Rock Entertainment. All rights reserved.

[B]

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