Joanna’s Journal

Driving in my car tonight, pondering about the seasons of life and how they often cycle around again and again. And delighting in how God reaches out to us in the midst of them all. songsandseasons.com/climbing-the-mountain-top Looking for other episodes and more ways to listen? Subscribe to the Songs and Seasons Podcast on these popular streaming networks: Anchor.fm iTunes Spotify Google Podcast

I spent decades in slavery to this world. To its labels, its ideals, its impossible expectations, its vicious, fear inducing, family destroying, joy stealing lies. Years as a slave to this world’s addictions, its vanity, pride, and lust, its wicked excuses, and the way it has broken the hearts of everyone that lives in and of it. It is the world and it’s ruler Satan that hurts us and lets … Read More

Sometimes it takes a severe sickness to make a girl stop and truly rest for a few days without phones, computers and distractions. So after being laid out flat for the past three days with a stomach virus, I had an epiphany. Have we forgotten in this society what it means to truly rest? Even in our “down time” and “days off” we are constantly filling our mind space and … Read More

Today is my five year anniversary of being prescription medication free. After 15 years of psychiatric treatment, I woke up on November 1, 2013 for my first morning after psych meds. It was a painful day, I remember that most vividly, but it was also kind of a blur. The night before, as I got ready for bed, I knew the next morning would be difficult. Anyone who has ever … Read More

What does it mean to live fearlessly? To me, living fearlessly means allowing myself to slow down and step back from the chronic busyness of the world. It means choosing some things for myself and my family that are contrary to popular culture. It means taking time to disconnect from technology without FOMO. It means putting rest and recovery above the endless to-do lists. It means being present through the … Read More

“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” – 1 Corinthians 13:11 It’s time to put away my childish behaviors. My tantrums, my pity parties, the little selfish girl inside who still tries to hang onto a childhood that is long past. Because that little girl, buried somewhere … Read More

A cautionary word on overcommitment and why it’s a good thing to be bored sometimes! Looking for other episodes or more ways to listen? Subscribe to the Songs and Seasons Podcast on these popular streaming networks: Anchor.fm iTunes Spotify Google Podcast

In today’s episode I’m talking about how the subtle, yet noticeable negative habits we have in certain areas of our lives carry over into our lives as a whole. Plus the effect they have not only our personal success, but our relationships with others. Looking for other episodes or more ways to listen? Subscribe to the Songs and Seasons Podcast on these popular streaming networks: Anchor.fm iTunes Spotify Google Podcast

Reflections on 9/11, addiction, recovery, reconciliation, and how this day 17 years ago impacted my family of origin forever. Looking for other episodes or more ways to listen? Subscribe to the Songs and Seasons Podcast on these popular streaming networks: Anchor.fm iTunes Spotify Google Podcast

If you’re running on full throttle 24/7, trying to plug out creative content like a maniac, please give this a listen… The best work we do comes not from being overachievers, but from pausing to listen to the still small voice of God, the greatest creative in history. But we need to make time for quiet moments in our life without the distractions of the world to hear it! Looking … Read More

Guys, you’re seriously blowing me away today with your kindness and enthusiasm for this new podcast adventure I’m embarking on! I also need to share a sweet story of how powerfully God works in our lives, even in the little things! Looking for other episodes or more ways to listen? Subscribe to the Songs and Seasons Podcast on these popular streaming networks: Anchor.fm iTunes Spotify Google Podcast

It’s time. Time to stop listening to the voices of defeat. Time to stop believing you’re not capable. Time to stop playing with a small faith. It’s time, because you were made for more. My name is Joanna Rae Lopez, formerly known as Nellie-Jean Grace Russell. And it’s time to tell my story. My story begins… today’s episodes talking childhood, mental illness, and family trauma.… Read More

I wish you could have seen me, all those years ago. But then again, for your own sake I pray you didn’t see me back then. I was a wreck and I destroyed everything in my path as I roared through my troubled life, leaving brokenness in my wake. Maybe some of you did know me back then. I know many walked away. Just as I walked away from so … Read More

My oh my, this past month has been a time of tough love coming from me it seems. Recently, I’ve let loose some heavy words and reality checks in the open both privately and publicly. And I know in the process I’ve likely made some people unhappy. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still … Read More

Ten years ago, I lived in a black and white world of insanity. Rage. Chaos. Lust. Addiction. Never satisfied with anything. Always hungry for something more. Desperately grasping into thin air, missing the big picture right in front of me. Stuck in my vanity and malicious greed. A weapon of mass consumption. Trapped in a fog of comfortable misery. But ten years later, everything has changed…… Read More