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Listen "Cycle of Idols"
Episode Synopsis
In the western culture of Christianity when we think about idols. What comes to mind most of the time it's wood, clay, stone, or even a budda doll the list can go on. Instead of focusing on the idols, let us focus on the idols of our hearts. Who better to talk to about that than Jason “Smiley” Abrams.
Jason "Smiley" Abrams has been actively involved in ministry since 2002 initially discipled by his late father, Andy Abrams. God changed his name to Smiley. As a child, Jason was very self-righteous and judgmental. Although he grew up in the church, he really did not know Jesus. However, it was God's grace that allowed him to witness the suffering of his father who was diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, failed kidneys, and blindness. As Jason watched his father endure pain daily, he saw him choose unconditional peace from intimacy with Jesus. During that time, Jason decided to pursue this Jesus who could give away true peace! As Jason encounters the one true God, he found internal joy that he began expressing outwardly by wearing all yellow attire and smiley faces every day from middle school until the end of college. Eventually, everyone began calling him Smiley.
"God calls me Smiley, so you can too."
Smiley currently serves as an Associate Area Director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship primarily focused in the Jackson, MS metro area on 4 campuses (JSU, MC, Millsaps, & Belhaven) as well as the National Evangelism Champion for Black Campus Ministries. He also serves on the pastoral team at Common Ground Church and is licensed with the Covenant Evangelical Church. He is a dynamic public speaker, has planned and implemented multiple conferences across the nation, inductive bible study trainer, and has been preaching since 2004.
Smiley has received a Bachelor's of Arts in Speech Communication with minors in Graphic Design and French from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also obtained a Certification in Nonprofit Management, and a Certification in Theological Studies. Smiley completed a Master's of Arts in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary.
He has written over 300 spoken word poems and released his first spoken word album - 3:13 AM (now available on iTunes). Smiley has served on the Performing Acts Team for IV's national student conference Urbana - performing on stage for over 16,000 people. He is a graphic designer, voice actor, visual artist, and music producer. He has been a voice actor for multiple web tv-series and served as the Special Effects Supervisor for his brother's animated/puppetry feature film - Josh's Journal.
Smiley probably loves Star Trek (TNG and Voyager) just as much as he loves Star Wars. He loves DC tv shows as much as he loves Marvel movies. He often tinkers with hardware in his free time. He is a lifetime learner. His favorite color is yellow.
Jason "Smiley" Abrams has been actively involved in ministry since 2002 initially discipled by his late father, Andy Abrams. God changed his name to Smiley. As a child, Jason was very self-righteous and judgmental. Although he grew up in the church, he really did not know Jesus. However, it was God's grace that allowed him to witness the suffering of his father who was diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, failed kidneys, and blindness. As Jason watched his father endure pain daily, he saw him choose unconditional peace from intimacy with Jesus. During that time, Jason decided to pursue this Jesus who could give away true peace! As Jason encounters the one true God, he found internal joy that he began expressing outwardly by wearing all yellow attire and smiley faces every day from middle school until the end of college. Eventually, everyone began calling him Smiley.
"God calls me Smiley, so you can too."
Smiley currently serves as an Associate Area Director for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship primarily focused in the Jackson, MS metro area on 4 campuses (JSU, MC, Millsaps, & Belhaven) as well as the National Evangelism Champion for Black Campus Ministries. He also serves on the pastoral team at Common Ground Church and is licensed with the Covenant Evangelical Church. He is a dynamic public speaker, has planned and implemented multiple conferences across the nation, inductive bible study trainer, and has been preaching since 2004.
Smiley has received a Bachelor's of Arts in Speech Communication with minors in Graphic Design and French from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also obtained a Certification in Nonprofit Management, and a Certification in Theological Studies. Smiley completed a Master's of Arts in Theological Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary.
He has written over 300 spoken word poems and released his first spoken word album - 3:13 AM (now available on iTunes). Smiley has served on the Performing Acts Team for IV's national student conference Urbana - performing on stage for over 16,000 people. He is a graphic designer, voice actor, visual artist, and music producer. He has been a voice actor for multiple web tv-series and served as the Special Effects Supervisor for his brother's animated/puppetry feature film - Josh's Journal.
Smiley probably loves Star Trek (TNG and Voyager) just as much as he loves Star Wars. He loves DC tv shows as much as he loves Marvel movies. He often tinkers with hardware in his free time. He is a lifetime learner. His favorite color is yellow.
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