Reflecting The Hope God’s Given Us: Matt Forté & Jonnie W.
Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
Jesus Calling
4.6 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 12 September 2024
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
*This episode mentions violence and may be triggering for some listeners.*
This week, we talk with Matt Forté, a former NFL running back who played ten years with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets. Beyond his impressive career on the field, Matt has transitioned into roles as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and ministry worker. Matt shares his inspiring story, from his early days in football to his work in gun violence prevention and support for at-risk families.
Later in the episode, we’ll also be joined by comedian Jonnie W., who shares why he believes in the value of laughter. Known for his unique blend of stand-up comedy and music, Jonnie’s approach to comedy is not just about making people laugh, but also about bringing light and positivity into the world.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Bethany Hamilton
Upcoming interview: Hannah Brencher
Jesus Calling commemorative edition
Interview Quotes:
“I just knew I had a calling on my life to be an athlete.” - Matt Forté
“Every day, marching up eight flights to get books and to go to practice and get back home, all of that really taught me never to complain about the luxuries that you get in life that we often overlook or take for granted. It taught me a lot.” - Matt Forté
“Put in a lot of hard work, but also have faith in yourself and really have faith in God that He is a good God, that He has good plans for you as well.” - Matt Forté
“Had it not been for Jesus coming down and dying for our sins and living a sinless life and paying the debt for what we've accumulated, there would be no hope. And in return, we have to reflect the hope that He's given us.” - Matt Forté
“I think there's something formative about that that kind of clicks in a comedian's brain, that extra little bump of attention that you get from someone laughing or you kind of push someone's buttons in a way. There's something about that that is pretty remarkable.” - Jonnie W.
“I like to think about the people that are coming to my shows and what private pain they might have, what they might need release from. My comedy comes from a place of faith. I feel like it's such a gift that I discovered that I could do this and that God's opened doors for me to go do it, so I never take it for granted.” - Jonnie W.
“I think you're missing out on something that God wired inside of you if you're not laughing.” - Jonnie W.
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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C
Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj
Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u
What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj
Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode mentions violence and may not be suitable for all listeners. |
| 0:04.4 | With more than 40 million copies sold, |
| 0:08.8 | the original classic edition of Jesus Calling |
| 0:11.7 | is your daily guide to living a more peaceful life. |
| 0:15.0 | Its price and size also make it the perfect gift for anyone who needs encouragement. |
| 0:20.0 | Find Jesus Calling wherever you buy books. |
| 0:26.0 | I just knew I had a calling on my life to be an athlete, |
| 0:30.0 | but later on I realized that the calling was not just to use the talent that the Lord has given me, but it was about using the platform that the NFL provides to be able to speak into other people's lives and most of all to be able to |
| 0:44.3 | glorify God and what I did and what I continue to do. |
| 0:48.8 | Welcome to the Jesus Calling podcast. This week we talk with Matt Forte, a former NFL running bag who played 10 years with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets. |
| 1:00.0 | Beyond his impressive career on the field, Matt has transitioned into roles as an entrepreneur, |
| 1:04.9 | philanthropist, and ministry worker. |
| 1:07.0 | Matt shares his inspiring story |
| 1:08.8 | from his early days in football to his work |
| 1:10.8 | in gun violence prevention and support for at-risk families. |
| 1:14.0 | Later in the episode will also be joined by comedian Johnny W. who shares why he |
| 1:19.0 | believes in the value of laughter. Known for his unique blend of stand-up comedy and music, Johnny's |
| 1:24.0 | approach to comedy is not just about making people laugh, but also bringing light |
| 1:28.3 | and positivity into the world. Let's begin with Matt's story. |
| 1:34.0 | My name is Matt Forte. |
| 1:38.0 | My name is Matt Forte. |
| 1:40.0 | I am a former NFL running back for the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets. I played 10 years in the NFL and now I am an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, and I work in ministry as well with professional |
... |
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