Have a Heart

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. We'll go to this thing, but this is it. If this doesn't work, we're done. What we have now, it's way more than we ever had before and that I ever even dreamed of in the marriage.

Discover more at hoperestored.com. That's hoperestored.com. 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. The bulls. He wears their jerseys.

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. but 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? He did almost die.

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

Well, that dialogue is from our popular children's radio drama Adventures in 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. And it's a lot of fun. Let me just say that. Since 1987, we've been producing wonderful, imaginative stories for kids of all ages.

And now we have more than a thousand 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? That's wonderful.

I love it. And now we have an animated film project in the works called Journey into the Impossible, which will introduce more families to the adventures and Odyssey stories and characters in a brand new way. 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 a special club we have for kids so they can listen to the entire collection.

Find out all that and more in the show notes. 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. Hurry, buddy, we're gonna be late for the bus. I'm coming. Really?

My turtle walks faster and he only has one leg. Zoe, you need to stop and smell the roses sometimes. What's going on? You're unusually optimistic today. 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.

Hi, Zoe. Hi, buddy. Oh, hi, Mrs. Meltzner. Hello.

What are you doing with all that stuff? I am going to decorate this locker. Could you. Hold the sign for a second. Oh, uh, sure.

Welcome back. Who's coming back? Deion Farkas. What? 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. Are we talking about the same Dion who declared the first Thursday of every month National Flick Buddy's Ear Day? Why hasn't he been in school?

Dion should probably explain that himself. Once a month, I'd come home with my ear looking like a wilded slice of salami. Hmm.

So he's back tomorrow? That's right.

Well, we better go. Yeah.

Okay, I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay, bye! Huh. What would keep a kid out of school for four months? Yeah.

Uh I bet he's been in a juvenile detention center. No, buddy. Do you think his family went to Europe or something and they homeschooled him, Mr. Whitaker? Uh, no, Zoe.

I bet I know where he's been. Where? Langley, Virginia. Oops. Dion, it's time to go.

Well, all 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 to be a distraction from our top 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.

Well, I guess it's all part of the job when you're working for the CIA. Earth to buddy? The CIA. I'll bet that's it. Your imagination's in hyperdrive.

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

So you know where he's been?

Well, I do, but that's a personal matter. I'm not gonna betray his trust. Is he okay? I mean, did the reason he's gone include losing the use of his right index finger? What?

The first Thursday of the month is coming up. That's his flicking finger. Oh. I'm sure he's glad to be back. And we should be happy for him.

Really? 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. Give him a chance, buddy. Dion will need friends right now.

Why? Because he just got out of jail? Zoe, if you want to know what happened to Dion, you'll have to ask him yourself.

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

Sounds like a good approach. Uh, I don't know. Dion's like a grizzly bear that's been hibernating for months. Hmm?

So, you know, he'll be Well rested? Hungry. Hello. Oh, it is so good to see you again, Dion.

Now you too, Mrs. Meltzner. We've missed him. What's going on? Mrs.

Meltzner looks like she's glad to see him. Maybe she is. No way. He was always a troublemaker in her class.

So, how are you gonna get this interview anyway? I thought I'd just ask him. Yeah, like that'll work. I know how that would go. Hey Keon, would you do an interview with me?

I will do the interview in exchange for three things.

Okay. And number one, say please. Please. Number two, let me flick your ear. Go for it.

Ow! Number three, sign this document. What does it say? It surrenders Buddy's right to all future happiness, love, and life purpose until the day he dies! What?

I guess. Yeah.

Hmm there. There we go. Wait a minute. Oh, there's another place to initial on page five. It forbids buddy from eating pizza forever.

Brutal. No, no, no. There you go. No! Buddy.

Oh. Uh Hi, Dion. Welcome back! Thanks, Amigo. Dion, I'd like to write an article for the school paper about you.

Would you be willing to do an interview? Sure, Zoe.

Now, how about at lunch? That'd be great. Thanks.

Alright, see you then. Bye, buddy. Uh Bye. What just happened there? Myocarditis?

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

Wasn't enough for what? to keep me alive. Whoa. Really? So what did they do?

Well, the only option? A heart transplant. I went on the list and we waited for a donor. For how long? About a month.

Then they did the surgery on November 8th. Where did the heart come from? 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. Connollsville General Hospital.

So I'm guessing it came from there. Wow. W were you, uh Scared? It was pretty bad for my whole family. But 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 it for your article. That would be great. All right, I'll text him to you.

Well, you need anything else? No, that was perfect. Thanks.

Okay. Um There was something I wanted to say to you, buddy. Yeah, I figured this was coming.

Well I want you to know that if you let me have it, I'm sorry. What? Huh? Look, I used to be. Pretty mean to you.

And a lot of people. I've called you a dweeb a lot. It made you feel terrible and It was terrible. Will you forgive me? Uh Is this a trap?

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

Okay. Bye, Dion. Yeah.

See ya. Wow. I was right. Has Dion actually Changed?

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

Okay. You'll all get a chance to rotate so you can see each one. Ooh, I got to do both. All right, now on your first cut, don't go too deep.

Okay. You want to be able to see the organs intact. Oh, this is going to be so fun. Oh, Dion, we chose partners last week. But you're welcome to join Mackenzie and Colwright here.

Thank you, Mrs. Meltzner. Did you hear that? Thank you. He's gotta be faking.

Do you wanna cut this thing? I'm not really in the mood for a lizard autopsy. Oh, sure. Scalpel. Here you go, doctor.

Thank you, nurse.

Okay. Oops. What? Hi. Kid.

Who was that? Down here. On the table. The one you're about to dice up in the name of science? A talking lizard?

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? How am I supposed to- Just look around.

You got 14 hearts just staring up at you. You want me to take one of the other lizard hearts? 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.

Okay. Hey, what are you doing? The frogs are talking to. 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. Just switch with me. You're barely even using yours.

Oh, that lizard's been after my heart for weeks now. Look, you don't even jump anymore. All you do is lie around, watch reruns of the Moppets. Lizards and frogs are both great. There's no need to heart.

What do you know about it? Wait a minute. What are we doing, Harvey? Here we are talking about each other's hearts when we have the best heart right in front of us! His!

Mine? Yeah! Imagine what we could do with the human heart! Exactly! What?

We could run faster, yeah, eat better food. I'm 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. Stop! Stop what? Buddy, what are you doing? Uh.

Sorry, Mrs. Meltzer. Get back to your dissection. Yeah.

What was that about? That's it. That's why Tion is being so nice. Why? It's his new heart.

What are you talking about? Tion must have gotten the heart of a nice person. Wow. You think I'm right? No.

I just never really thought about the donor. I should cover that in my story. Hmm.

Huh. Meet me in the library at lunch.

So When did Dion say he had the operation? Uh, November 8th. Right. And he said the heart came from Connellsville.

So we searched for anyone who might have passed away in Connellsville on or before November 8th. Hmm.

Let's see. Yeah.

Maybe no, no, that's not it.

Okay, we keep scrolling. Let's see. Huh. Oh, there! Connellsville boy drowns in a boating accident on Pierce Lake.

I remember this. Jensen Dunlap Age thirteen. Huh. How awful. Yeah.

Oh, there's a picture. Oh yeah. It looks nice, don't you think? Yeah.

I bet he was incredibly nice. I've been to Pierce Lake. Mm. Mm. Well Now I know how to write the story.

What do you mean? It should be on the importance of organ donation.

Alright, 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. What for? To find out more about him. Uh Almost there.

Thanks for getting permission for me to come on the bus. Oh yeah, uh, I forgot. The only way I could get you on here is if you agreed to carry all the equipment for the team. Awesome. I still don't understand why you wanted to come.

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. But he'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?

Yes. We have the legs of a cheetah, 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. Excellent.

Scudbull. Yes. 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. Oh. Yeah.

Yeah.

We're here. Who are you interviewing anyway? Jensen's cousin mainly. A kid named Eric. Uh Yeah.

We spent three days straight at the hospital. And the news kept getting worse and worse and The doctor tried everything. And then One night he came in and just Didn't have anything else to try. I'm so sorry. Yeah, that Was uh Really bad day.

Jensen He didn't last more than a few hours after that. What? What was he like? Be quiet. A little awkward.

But man. He could be funny if he knew you. He just kept to himself mostly. Oh. Was he Nice?

I I guess. Was he, you know. Plight. 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.

So He was mean? No, no, no, I wouldn't say he was mean. He was lonely. By choice though, liked video games more than people. Hmm.

When it came time to choose whether or not to use his organs, was it. It seemed like an easy decision for his folks. They said if he could help someone else, Jensen would want to do it. 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.

Really? He lives in Odyssey. Wow. Um Is he a nice guy? He is now.

There's Dion. Should I tell him? Sure. I want to know whose hard eye at if I were him. Why?

Because you want to know what kind of superpower is transferred to you?

Well, I bet he's curious. Hmm.

Okay. Oh, I hate Dion. Hey, Zoe. Buddy. Hey.

I think I know something that you... might wanna know, but I don't It might not be my place to tell you. What are you talking about? Your heart. Yeah.

We I think we know who it came from. Oh. Wow. There's a boy in Connellsville who died the day before you got your heart. We think he was your donor.

Yeah.

What's his name? Jensen? Here, I I have a picture on my phone. Oh no. How did he He drowned.

A boating accident on Pierce Lake. No. Would you uh W would you te text me his picture? Sure. And I'll send you my article before I hand it over to my editor.

Thanks.

I need to call Jensen's mom and ask her permission to write about her son. You're gonna talk to his mom? Yes. Yeah.

Well if if that goes well Tell her Tell her I'd like to talk to her too. He was practically crying. right there in front of me. And he didn't even care that I saw. It was so...

Weird. Why was it weird? I've just never seen anything like that from Dion. I'm telling you, Mr. Whitaker, something happened with that heart transplant.

Such as? Uh 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. And what did you find? 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. And you think that's what happened to Dion? It's exactly what happened.

It's obvious, don't you think?

Well, that may be what happened in a sense. But I'm curious about what you think it means. Dion got a new heart, and so he got a new spirit. God removed his heart of stone and replaced it with something. Human.

Perhaps. All I can say is Jensen must have been way more human than Dion. I can't say I agree there. You don't think Jensen's heart made Deion more human? 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. Then what's the Bible talking about?

Well, in the Old Testament, the heart symbolized the center of the emotions, the center of morality. In the book of 1 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.

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

The bulls. He wears their jerseys. 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. but 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? Did almost die. Yes. And if God also desires, he can use that kind of situation. to soften the hardest of hearts.

Can you turn off your burner, buddy? Sure. Are you done with your article? 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. Hey, Zoe. Buddy. Hi, Dion.

Hi. I like your shirt. Bulls are my favorite team. Yeah, I know. Mine too.

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

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

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

Well, I talked to Jensen's mother, and we're gonna meet at Whit's End at 4 o'clock. And I thought you might want to be there. You know. for your story. It's four oh three.

She should be here soon. No. My parents just texted me. They'll be here in a few minutes. Oh, that's good.

Are you doing okay, Dion? Oh, I'm kinda nervous. Why? Oh no. I mean I just want Jensen's mom to like me.

Hi. I'm looking for a Dion Farkas. I'm Dion. Are you, Mrs. Dunlap?

Yes. It's so nice to meet you. Um How are you feeling? Great. Doctors are kind of amazed how fast the recovery went.

I'm so glad.

So everything went well with the surgery. Yeah.

Uh I read Zoe's article about him. Jensen, I mean He did cross country? He did.

Well, 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.

Well, I'm kinda the opposite. I like noise and I hate running. What do you like doing? Drawing Some puzzles. Playing with my dog.

What kind of dog do you have? Black Lab.

Sonny's his name. Jensen drew a little bit too. He used to make me the cutest birthday cards. I still have them. Yeah.

I've been looking at them a lot lately. I really want to say that. I hate. I appreciate you don't have to do that, Dion. It's enough to look at you.

Okay. Well I brought a stethoscope. Yeah.

Would you like to listen to your son's heart? I like that very. Yeah.

Did you hear it? It's very strong. Yeah.

Can I hug you? Yes. Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, could I listen again, please? Sure. Here. I think you were right, Mr. Whitaker.

Oh? About what? God-changing hearts. I think he just changed mine. Yeah.

What a powerful conclusion of this special edition of Focus on the Family, featuring an Adventures in Odyssey episode called Have a Heart. 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. 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 could access the entire library of episodes and also special members-only content. 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 Witt 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. 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 1st, so every dollar you give is going to be doubled. 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 four years old.

I was born with some difficult physical conditions, which required four major surgeries between the ages of two to ten, and every day is a physical struggle. But God and Odyssey were there for me. I wish you could know how much of a positive impact you've made on my life. Wow, that's good. That's so touching.

That's just incredible how God uses those dramas to reach out and really transform a life. 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 for Jesus. Contact us today, donate as you can.

The number is 800, the letter A and 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. 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.

Listen at refocus with JimDaily.com. Uh