Longing for More: Recent Episodes

Vona Johnson: Christian Podcaster, Mastermind & Life Coach

The Longing for More podcast with Vona Johnson is where Christians come to strengthen their faith, revive their soul and learn to live their lives with a sense of fulfillment and peace. Listen each week to learn how to incorporate your faith into your daily activities, stop wandering through life feeling empty and unfulfilled, and begin to live your More!

This show was originated under the name, Reviving Your Soul,

Christmas is a season of hope, joy, and peace, but for many, it is a season when old hurts resurface, reminding us of things that are anything but joyful.

Vona Johnson explores the profound theme of forgiveness in this heartfelt episode of Courageous Retirement. Reflecting on personal stories, Christian teachings, and poignant examples, Vona encourages listeners to release long-held hurts and embrace the true spirit of Christmas—granting and receiving forgiveness.

Using insights from Lora Johnson's book 'The Night I Met Santa,' she demonstrates how connecting with forgiveness can bring peace and joy into your life. If you are looking for ways to make this Christmas more meaningful than ever, you will want to tune into this episode.

Scripture Referenced:
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

Quote from Lora Johnson, " Christmas is all about getting the gift that we never deserved and never will."

Listen to the interview with Lora Johnson and hear the story here:
https://bit.ly/Night_I_Met_Santa

Purchase the Book: https://www.thenightimetsanta.com/books/the-night-i-met-santa

00:00 The Season of Forgiveness
00:32 Introducing Courageous Retirement
00:51 The True Meaning of Christmas
02:03 The Importance of Forgiveness
04:07 Practical Steps to Forgiveness
06:09 Reflecting on Personal Hurts
08:41 Finding Joy in Forgiveness
09:01 Looking Forward to the New Year

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Thank you for stopping by today! Remember to Engage Your Faith and Live Your More as you reap the benefits of Courageous Retirement!

To watch the video, check out my YouTube Channel under the Courageous Retirement Podcast.

Welcome back to Longing for More! It's been too long since I've released an episode here and I'm excited to share what's been happening since our last episode.

Host, Vona Johnson, reflects on her faith journey and understanding God's plan in this heartfelt episode. She shares how perceived missteps and years of uncertainty were laying a foundation for her true calling.

Vona reveals the importance of continued faith and trust in God's plan, even when life's path seems unclear. She shares how her podcast Courageous Retirement came to be and introduces the concept of ClubMore, encouraging viewers to find and live their MORE in life, driven by faith and God's purpose for each of us.

Scripture referenced:
Psalm 19: 7-9

Become an official member of ClubMore at: https://www.clubmore.live.

Subscribe now to receive more valuable insights and tips that can help you navigate your retirement journey with courage and faith!

If you prefer to listen to the audio version of Courageous Retirement, you can find us here.

Learn more about Vona at vonajohnson.com.

liveyourmore #courageousfaith #retirement #ClubMore

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Thank you for stopping by today! Remember to Engage Your Faith and Live Your More as you reap the benefits of Courageous Retirement!

To watch the video, check out my YouTube Channel!

Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at CourageousRetirement.com!

We're taking a little trip down memory lane as we bring back some of the good stuff from the early days of our podcast. Today's rerelease is from episode 45 when the show was still called Reviving the Soul. It is titled 'Words of Encouragement.'

The show is full of golden nuggets that are more applicable today than when it first aired. It is worth a listen, whether you've heard it before or not, as it emphasizes the importance of engaging in wise and respectful conversations.

It shares how we should use kind and gentle language, focus on words of encouragement, and avoid gossip, bragging, lying, and manipulating. Being mindful of our emotions and practicing self-control helps us to engage in a way that honors Christ.

Over the next few weeks, we'll revisit several classic episodes focusing on engaging with others. We'll explore how engagement can bring us a sense of peace and fulfillment, whether with our faith, relationships, or even our everyday moments.

Do you long to make an impact in the world? Do you question whether God can use you? In this episode of Longing for More, special guest Jessica Klassen shares her journey of creating a unique approach to making an impact, and we'll dive deep into how God has guided her to fulfill His purpose.

We'll also take a closer look at the Ripple Boxes Jessica has created, the challenges she's encountered, and how she has learned to trust God along the way. She explains how each Ripple Box impacts at least four different lives. She gives examples of unexpected ways they have encouraged others through difficult times and brought comfort during times of tragedy.

Listeners have a unique opportunity to purchase a Ripple Box, with a portion of the proceeds going towards supporting victims of sex trafficking or local shelters. It's a rare chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most, so don't delay!

So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and get ready to be inspired by the incredible stories of how God is transforming lives and using everyday people like you and me to create a lasting impact.

Get all the details and links in the show notes.

Join host Vona Johnson and her guest, Dr. Bren Williams, as they explore fulfilling God's purpose in life.

Discover the obstacles that hinder destiny, embrace daily opportunities, and strengthen your faith. Dr. Bren shares insights from her book, Breaking Forth 2 Destiny: Arising from where you are to where God has destined you to be.

In this engaging conversation, you will hear personal stories that will help you understand the power of prayer, the impact of small acts of kindness, and the importance of savoring the present.

Tune in to find inspiration for relying on God's strength, and living a fulfilled and purposeful life.

In this amazing episode of "Longing for More," we visit with the wonderful Jodi Howe, host of the podcast Air That I Breath, speaker, Worship Leader, and new Author. We talked about in this time when Satan is actively impacting every area of life, it is even more important than ever that we live a life of purpose, trust in God even in the most difficult seasons, and incorporate scripture in our daily lives.

In this conversation, where we discuss the hard topics of our day, Jodi emphasized the vulnerability of adolescence and how social media can negatively impact young people's fragile minds. We also discussed the attacks that come from Satan as we walk in faith and how it is crucial that people see Jesus through our words and actions when they aren't ready to know Him personally.

Jodi's fearlessness and passion for spreading God's love are inspiring, and you won't want to miss this episode.

#longingformore #godisgood #faith #biblestudy #podcastlove #adifferentview #longingformore #liveyourmore #equippedformore #theairthatIbreathe

On this episode of Longing for More, Vona Johnson and guest Elaine Briefman discuss the issue of "identity abuse" and how it can impact people's lives. Elaine shares her personal struggle and how she overcame it with the help of God. The episode covers topics like forgiving those who have hurt us, aligning our identity with Christ, and understanding the laws of nature and free will.

Listeners will learn about the impact of identity abuse and how to recognize lies from the enemy. The episode ends with an invitation to hear more of Elaine's work, learn how to create your own story in her 5 sentence framework, and watch her beautiful story of how God created each of us in a Youtube video. Connect with Elaine at identityabuse.com

In this episode, guest Marty Mitchell shares how to connect more deeply with the Holy Spirit and experience holiness in our lives. He challenges listeners to see past denominational lines and to focus on what unites Christians rather than what divides us.

The conversations devels into exploring the importance of Scripture, humility, and genuinely listening to understand others. Mitchell discusses his book, The Capillaries of Christ, which helps individuals determine and understand their role in the body of Christ.

Mitchell and Johnson also discuss the joys and challenges of following God's call to leave their corporate careers to write, emphasizing that everyone has unique gifts, talents, and paths to follow. Though everyone has different life goals, the small things done with great love can make all the difference.

Listen to this episode that is rich with godly advice and examples on how to Live Your More and Shine Like a Saint!

Be sure to check out the searchable version of the show at LongingForMore.xyz to revisit your favorite part of the show.

Just like everyone's DNA is different, everyone's faith journey is different. We have diverse experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds. We get to choose what course we will take, and our choices impact our path. It's an incredible gift that we can all end up in the same place with entirely different experiences as believers.

In this episode, we explore where there are similarities in our paths and, as a result, how we can encourage and support one another along the way.

Join us as we discuss the typical stages of faith, from feeling there should be more to life, questioning our faith, and avoiding difficult conversations to courageously trusting God's wisdom, peacefully fulfilling our true purpose, and confidently explaining our hope in Christ.

Where will your faith journey take you? Will you stay in the meadows and take the comfortable route, or will you venture into rocky terrain with exciting challenges? Even more importantly, will you trust God, or will you trust the ways of the world?

Take the quiz at thefaithquiz.com and search for related material at longingformore.xyz.

Do you ever get discouraged, feel like your work has little value, and begin to doubt if God can use you in your current circumstances?

You're not alone. We all waver between certainty and doubt at times. We want to walk in God's will, but when things don't turn out, it's easy to think we're on the wrong path and doubt our purpose.

In this episode, we explore how sometimes God's definition of success differs from ours and how He wants us to continue in His plan, even when we don't see the results we desire. Listen in and learn how to find meaning in your work, whether it looks like you thought it would or not.

Download the Essential Guide to Finding Meaning in Your Work here.

The world can be a dark place. Too many focus on our differences and respond to the things we disagree on in unkind ways. Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, including those who aren't easy to love.

As conservatives, we often hesitate to get involved in stopping the corruption we see around us; when we do, we don't always do so in a kind and loving manner. In this episode, we dig into what it means to be zealous for Christ without being a zealot. We, who want to make a positive change, can do so without responding to hate with hateful behaviors.

It's time we get back to God's truth and shine our light into the dark corners of our world, and this episode will inspire and empower you to do just that.

To gain free access to the Live Your More site to search through this and other episodes of Longing for More, register here and search the shows, videos, and courses by topic.

In this episode, we explore the age-old question of whether we are more like bold Peter or doubting Thomas. Through stories and reflections from the Bible, we examine the moments in our lives when we take risks, step out of our comfort zones, and demonstrate courage like Peter. At the same time, we also delve into the times when we have doubts, question our beliefs, and struggled with uncertainty like Thomas.

But as we delve deeper, we discover that these two seemingly opposing traits are not mutually exclusive. Both Peter and Thomas were both bold and doubted at different times, and both of these qualities can coexist within us as well. Join us as we explore the complexities of human nature and the many ways in which we can embody both boldness and doubt in our own lives.

Search the library for other shows with similar topics here.

We know God rested on the seventh day after creation. But what if the word rest has a different meaning than we thought? What if Jesus offers something deeper than physical rest, inviting His followers to experience satisfaction and peace by understanding and following God's will?

Guest Gregory Hall, the author of Rethinking Rest, explores the theology of rest in an accessible and appealing manner in his book and in this conversation, where we dig into the concepts of rest, Sabbath, and Shabot and how it all fits into God's grace.

Check out the show notes.

Trusting in God and focusing on Jesus in difficult times is challenging, but when you layer the death of a loved one and a parent with Alzheimer's, you quickly learn it's the only way to get through it. You realize how important it is to remain patient and open to God's plan, even when things don't come together as we want. No matter the circumstances in our lives, it helps to remember that our faith grows during trials and that we can develop a closer relationship with Jesus during trying times.

This episode demonstrates how following basic principles from my book, Equipped for More, has helped me walk through many trials and shown me that God provides all we need. We can live confidently, knowing that whatever the outcome, God will be there and guide us in the right direction and remind us that there really is only one thing that matters.

Trusting God is easy when our plans come together the way we want. But when things don't go our way, we tend to focus on the negative and doubt God's plan. Like Peter, we begin to falter when we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the storm around us.

In this episode, I share how I lost sight of this and how a perfectly timed devotion and words from a friend brought me back and helped me focus on the good in the situation.

Our faith intersects with life experiences every day. This conversation with author Bill Yoh emphasizes how faith should be embraced and how it can serve as a guide to having great relationships. In it, Bill encourages us to pursue service and connection with those around us and to strive for unity rather than division.

Bill shares how his first book, Our Way, was inspired by his father, and his second book, the newly released Unvarnished Faith, was inspired by an unexpected journey of the heart. He shares tips for becoming more authentic, loving with a servant's heart, and creating meaningful conversations.

Listen and be inspired to love more deeply and walk in the Lord's presence here on earth.

This discussion focuses on how leaning on our faith in God to avoid alchohol helps us to cope with difficult situations. Rose Ann Forte shares some key takeaways on how to stay mindful of risks associated with alcohol while also finding alternative and healthier coping mechanisms such as prayer, gratitude, and faith.

In this episode, we discuss Rose Ann's book, The Plans He has for Me, which has helped people from all walks of life develop a deeper relationship with God. Her process helps believers and non-believers alike make positive changes that equip them to live the life they were created to live.

There are only two paths we can follow in life. We can live a faithful life, or we can live a faithless life. There is no middle ground. But if we aren't intentional about how we spend our days, it is easy to drift onto the wrong path.

This episode discusses what it takes to live our lives intentionally and why we must do so. God will tell us exactly what we need to do to live out His calling in our lives, and if we listen, we can cease our striving and live a life of meaning, peace, and fulfillment. Are you living intentionally? Or are you going with the flow of the rest of this world? Listen and be encouraged to rethink how you are living life today.

Living our faith daily can be challenging at times. We know why we should, but sometimes knowing HOW to do it can seem daunting. In this SPECIAL EPISODE, we explore Vona's new book, Equipped for More.

Join author and coach Dana Lyons as she interviews Vona to give you an inside look at the book and discover the next right step in your faith journey.

Show notes

When preparing for Advent, we typically focus on preparing our homes by decorating, baking, wrapping gifts, and preparing meals. But how much time do we invest in preparing our hearts for the Advent of Jesus' return?

In this episode, we explore letting go of expectations and trusting God when things don't go as planned. You'll be encouraged to shift your focus to forgiveness, kindness, and patience to be prepared for Christmas and every day in the New Year. To look beyond the season and ensure you and your loved ones are REALLY ready for what comes.

Click here to check out the mini-audio course, Difficult Conversations.

The season of Advent is a beautiful time of year. Some conversations can be challenging as we celebrate with friends, coworkers, and family. It's an excellent time to remember that we reflect the light into the world and that we can turn those difficult conversations into meaningful ones.

Listen to this episode for tips on shifting conversations and shining the light, not just during the holidays but throughout the year.

Click here to join the Equipped for More waitlist.

Every sports fan knows you keep shooting shots on goal at every opportunity. When you think about it, it's that way with our faith, too. We love others, share our stories, and show kindness even if we occasionally miss the mark. We keep going even if we don't see the results we want.

In this episode, we make an unconventional comparison of hockey and our lives of faith. We keep taking the shots because we never know how many lives we'll impact when we finally hit the goal.

We are called to have conversations that speak the truth and to live in such a way that people will want to know Jesus after being with us. But it takes courage.

I love how today's guest, Rebecca Tabbert, calls herself a Former Overweight, Atheist, Corporate Girl Turned JESUS
Loving, Fiercely Fit, Entrepreneur. Years ago, she watched as two friends gave their lives to Christ despite her disbelief, and after seeing their transformation, she knew she wanted what they had.

It took courage to change everything about her life, but she did just that over time. She chose courage.

And you can too. If your or someone you know longs for more, listen in on our conversation and be encouraged to share your story with someone who needs to hear it. You never know who is watching or listening and wants a relationship with Jesus, just like you have.

Life's journey is full of ups and downs. This episode will inspire you to find beauty amid trials in life.

You will hear parts of a longer conversation. Though we specifically talk about breast cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is an opportunity to discover beauty in every challenge we face.

You will be encouraged to find how God can turn every situation into an opportunity for good.

Join the FREE Live Your More Community to listen to the full episode titled The Gift of Faith: A Conversation about how our faith helps us through breast cancer.

It can be frustrating when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want. In this episode, we discuss how that can be a good thing—that God may have something better in store for us.

Vona shares her greatest unanswered prayers and why she's grateful that God said "no." Learn how to better align with God's will so you can ask for what He wants to give you.

Sign up for the Live Your More Newsletter!

Life gets busy, and it's easy to get distracted. We can quickly end up off the path intended for us without realizing it, especially when we are doing important work.

Satan loves it when we get pulled away from the people in our lives and the work we are called to do. Don't let him get away with it. Let go of the things that distract you from your purpose, and choose the things that matter.

In this episode, we discuss how to strengthen our faith and trust God enough to take the next step, even when it doesn't make sense. Listen and find encouragement to slow down, regroup, and return to the basics in your life.

Join the Live Your More Community at vonajohnson.ck.page/links and click Get Connected!

Despite everything that separates us in the world, we have more things in common than most care to admit. We are all God's children, and we are all sinners.

It's easy to cast the first stone when we see wrongs happening in the world around us, but we are challenged to be gentle with those who oppose the truth. When we stand up for truth with kindness and grace, others see Christ through us.

In this episode, we discuss how we are challenged to stop judging and start treating everyone with compassion and understanding. It's not always easy, but it's a part of the journey of growing in faith.

Where are you on your faith journey? Take the quiz and find out. www.thefaithquiz.com.

Servant leaders don't look for accolades; they quietly do the work they are called to do and show God's love through their actions. In this week's episode, we honor a true servant leader in the emergency response field in Central South Dakota.

Watching the example of how she lived her life provides many lessons. The legacy she left behind is subtle but powerful, and we can all take something away from her example.

Listen and ponder how God calls you to be a faithful servant leader in this season of your life.

People tend to limit God by what we have experienced or seen. We distrust His promises and try to do things our way. We do this with both the big and small things in life.

In this episode, guest Melissa Rohlfs shares how if we have faith in the possibilities, we can surrender to God. She shows that it's in that place where we find healing, freedom, and peace.

Join us for this meaningful conversation, and you, too, will find freedom in surrender!

Plans in life often shift. When they do, we can either be disappointed and give up or look expectantly for God's promise to bring good into every situation.

In this episode, I talk about two examples of things that went wrong this week, but when all was said and done, both turned out better than I could have imagined. It's a matter of believing in the possibilities and not giving up when things don't work out. God WILL make it even better if we don't give up too soon.

Listen and be inspired to believe in the possibilities in your own life.

Don't forget to sign up for the Live Your More Community Newsletter here.

Too often, our expectations in life turn into disappointments. What if, instead of setting ourselves up to be discouraged, we shifted our focus and lived in expectancy of seeing God everywhere?

In this episode, our guest, speaker, author, and coach, Dana Lyons, shares her experiences as she learned to listen and look for God in all things and how letting go of her earthly expectations changed everything.

Listen and learn how you can let go and lean into God and all He has to offer you.

Emotions are high with the recent historic decision of the Supreme Court. Not only is the nation split on where they stand on the issue of abortion, but Christians are too.

In this episode, we discuss the enormous opportunity Christians have to speak in love and support of those affected by past decisions and those who struggle with where they stand on the issue.

It is more important than ever that those who support the life of unborn children speak out with kindness and acceptance.

This episode will help inspire and equip them to do so.

Listen and be encouraged to boldly step out in faith and share what is in your heart.

To reach true success in life, seeking the kingdom of heaven should be your primary goal. We are to delight in God's law and meditate on it day and night; only then will we prosper in all we do.

But contrary to the world view, we won't avoid failure or challenges. Instead, we learn they are essential to the journey to help us grow in faith and live in His will.

Listen to this episode and learn how shifting your focus of success will help you trust God with the outcome and discover how you can boldly live your faith!

The word love is widely overused and often under demonstrated. We love our favorite food, our work, and even the latest hit movie, but we sometimes struggle to love our neighbor as God calls us to.

This episode discusses how to show love through our words and actions. To shine God's love into the world, we need to love people even when it's hard. It's the only way some people will ever come to know Jesus, and it's the only way our hurting world will heal.

The definition of tolerance has changed drastically through the years. The attitude that people should celebrate, enable, and promote another person's point of view regardless of whether one agrees is damaging the core of our society by planting seeds of hatred and violence.

This episode explores tolerance and how God calls Christians to reevaluate how we view sin and interact with those we might tend to judge. It's a different view of the issue, but it's time to change our perspective and stand up for God's truth with compassion and love.

It will take courage, but we will not fight this battle to shift tolerance alone. God will guide each step we take.

The link to join the waitlist mentioned in the episode is https://bit.ly/LYMWaitList.

In a world where it's hard to know who to trust, we should be able to believe our church. But can we?

Scripture warns us about false prophets, but we don't know what we don't know, and it can be easy to fall into the trap of a church that does not follow God's plan.

Even though they may profess Jesus and point to the Bible, they may have rules and policies that do not align with God's true plan for His people.

In this episode of Longing for More, we have a conversation with a former cult member. She grew up in a community that twisted God's Word and then forbade her to question its rules.

This episode is full of wisdom and advice that we all need to hear to know the red flags to watch for so we can avoid being deceived.

Most people know we can be held in contempt of court if we bear a false witness when witnessing in court. Sadly, few are concerned about bearing false witness about the truth regarding God's Word.

Although most Christians own at least one Bible, less than half read it consistently, and fewer still treat it as a source for living their daily lives. It's no secret that the Bible has fallen from favor because it doesn't say what many want it to say.

In reality, it shows us how to love as Christ calls us to love. It truly is our guidebook for living, and if we don't follow it, we are at risk of falling for the lies of false prophets.

This week's episode explores how following God's plan without omission, embellishment, or alteration will fulfill His people and bring them peace.

Listen and find out how you can incorporate the truth of God's Word into your life today.

Do you ever struggle to know God's will for your life? We all do at some point.

In this episode, I share how God calls us to shift our focus to Him so we can align with His will. To do so, I read the chapter, The Heart Shift from my book, A Different View: Start Living the Life Your Soul Longs For, because it tells the story of a time when a tragic loss showed me God was stirring my heart and leading me to a new path for my life.

Listen and see if God stirs the waters of your soul with this message and helps you know His will for your life.

To learn more about the Grow In Faith Summit, click here.

In a world where it's difficult to know who to trust, it's alarming how easily we can fall into the trap of scammers. The world is full of people who will take advantage of others, and now, more than ever, we need to use discernment.

In today's episode, we learn about a new scam that even the most educated fall for. But it isn't just our money the imposters are after. Sometimes the deceivers are after our very souls.

Listen and find out if you, too, trust too much.

Playing make-believe as a child is a beautiful thing. But when we pretend as adults, life can get complicated in a hurry. We always have choices to make, and sometimes it can be a bit blurry as to which choice is the "right" choice when debating two good options.

In a world full of fake news, authenticity has become something we look for in the people we associate with both in business and our personal lives. We strive to be our authentic selves, but it's not always easy to do.

It's essential to be authentic when we consider our faith. But it's tricky. Listen in to this week's episode of Longing for More and explore where you might be pretending in your life.

Life doesn't always work out the way we plan. If we get far enough off track, we begin to doubt ourselves and even God. When this happens, we long for clarity.

If you're frustrated that life isn't going the way you planned, know that the clarity you receive may not look the way you think it will. Listen to this episode of Longing for More for help finding the lessons, the blessings, and the opportunities God gives during these times.

Join the the 'Live Your More Newsletter' to discover new ways to live your faith! bit.lyLYMNewsletter.

Are you a comparaholic? Do you find it difficult to stop playing the comparison game? Whether you consider yourself competitive or not, you may be in the habit of checking to see how you measure up against others. You may be causing undue pressure by creating expectations of yourself and others that aren't realistic.

Join guest Renee Vidor, author of Measuring Up: How to Win in a World of Comparison, and learn to be comfortable with the person God created you to be. It is a powerful conversation that will help you find your true identity. Only then can you stop stressing and turn your need to compare to your advantage.

Not sure if you're a comparaholic? Take the assessment and find out: www.reneevidor.com/comparaholic

We can get so wrapped up in our search for knowledge that we can lose sight of God's plan for our lives.

This episode discusses this cry for knowledge and how we can accept that we can't know everything, let go of the need to do so, and learn to trust God.

This is a crucial step in the Live Your More Process. To find out if you are Living Your More take the FREE quiz at https://bit.ly/livingyourmorequiz.

We celebrate notable occasions in our lives all the time. In this episode of Longing for More, we celebrate the successful launch of the book, A Different View: Start Living the Life Your Soul Longs For, with impactful interviews and the premiere release of the compelling book trailer!

Join guest host Neil Matthews as he helps author, Vona Johnson, celebrate the launch of this new book. Find out why A Different View has had such a significant impact on people's lives and how you can join the movement and begin to Live Your More!

The new year is an excellent time to evaluate where we are in life and make adjustments if we aren't where we want to be.

This episode of 'Longing for More' challenges you to evaluate whether you are fully living your faith and trusting God or trying to do life on your terms.

Despite what the world tells us, we can find freedom in letting go and trusting God. If you long for a simpler life, it may be time to shift your focus and look at life from a different view.

Listen to the episode, then take the 'Live Your MORE' quiz to see how you're doing. https://bit.ly/livingyourmorequiz

If your soul longs for more peace, hope, and joy, you will want to listen to this special episode of Longing for More where special guests, Yvette Walker, Elizabeth Meyers, and Vona Johnson visit with Jody Howe about these topics.

Each guest in this episode has recently released a book that will bring you peace, hope, and joy for the holidays and beyond. We pray you are blessed by this special Christmas episode and will share it with your friends whose souls are longing for more of the messages offered within.

Our search for peace, hope, and joy during the holidays can often get lost in a rush to fit everything in during this season of preparation.

This episode of Longing for More offers a short prayer to help you focus on the reason for the season and avoid losing sight of the focus of our celebration, Jesus Christ.

Don't let the distractions and disappointments of unfulfilled plans keep you from your true purpose during this holiday season or into the new year.

Check the show notes for links to the Voices of Peace, Hope, and Joy event and for information about the January 8, 2022, official online launch of A Different View.

Believers love Christmas because it helps us focus on Christ and the incredible gift He is to us. We use Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, to prepare for His coming--both by remembering His birth and looking forward to His return.

If that's the case, shouldn't we celebrate every day as Advent?

In this episode of Longing for More, I share the last chapter of my new book, A Different View, titled, The Gift of Light.

Listen and be inspired to look for Jesus in all aspects of life and live your faith every day.

Find the book in your favorite online bookstore, at the Alley Exchange in Pierre, or better yet, ask your local bookstore to carry it!

Scripture calls us to be thankful in ALL things. It's easy to be thankful for the good things in our lives. But what about the difficult things? Are we really supposed to be thankful for those too?

This episode of Longing for More challenges us to look deeper for the good in all things so that we truly can be thankful in ALL things. All the time.

Learn more about A Different View.

Are you living your more? Take the Live Your More© quiz to find out.

What kind of legacy will you leave? Will you have a positive impact on the people and the places you encounter during your life?

Today's episode, the first of the relaunch of Longing for More, dives into why it is important that we think about the impact we are making on the world and how we can be intentional about it.

Listen now to learn how you, too, can leave a legacy of faith.

Take the Live Your More Quiz!

Get the FREE 4-Part Live Your More© Mini-Course

Purchase A Different View on Amazon

As host, Vona Johnson begins a new decade in life; she has much to be grateful for!

In this special episode, guest host, coach, and podcaster, Kim Avery, interviews Vona about all the things she is celebrating and why she feels life keeps getting better!

Join the two for a fun yet meaningful conversation about how we can find peace in our lives, even amid struggle. Learn how we can find joy in even the worst situations and how God is filling the gaps for us all the time.

Sometimes life gets crazy and you just need a little extra help.

Whether you are growing a business, managing a household, running a ministry, or just trying to keep up with all the things, you can drive yourself crazy trying to do it all yourself.

Today's guest on Longing for More, Alyssa Avant, may be the answer to your prayers! In this interview, she shares how she started her company training Virtual Assistants and now has expanded to helping VAs and the people who need their services connect.

Whether you need help with clerical duties, writing, editing your podcast, marketing, or managing your email, she has the solution for you. Truly, there is someone out there who can do all those things you never get to (for hate to do!) and would love to help you whether it is for an hour here or there or 20 hours a week.

Listen today and find out how you can get your life on track. It's easier and more doable than you think!

If you have ever struggled to find the perfect planner, you are not alone. It seems each one has wonderful features, but few truly meet all our needs.

That was Sandi Lucas' experience too. At God's urging, she created one that met all of her needs to address goals in all aspects of her life. In today's interview with Sandi, she shares how we are called to be Christ's ambassadors and to live an intentional, on purpose, God-inspired life.

Listen to this amazing conversation that will inspire you to refocus your attention toward doing the work God created you to do. Be sure to also sign up and join us for the free upcoming Masterclass on using Sandi's proprietary Blaze Lighthouse Process. The process will help you use God's Word for planning your life around his will for your life.

You'll be glad you did!

It's been a year for the books. On the surface it looks as if it could go wrong, it did go wrong in 2020. In fact, many wish we could wipe our slates clean of this year altogether.

In this episode, however, I share why I am grateful for the year 2020. I am looking at the world from a different perspective as a result of the lessons learned through the coronavirus, a personal battle with breast cancer, and my own view of the chaos happening in the world.

I invite you to join me as I look at 2020 focused on the good it brought us and the opportunities that we still have. Further, I share why this is the last episode of Longing for More for the year and invite you to join me back here for a fresh start in January 2021 for another year ripe with new opportunities to learn and grow.

Grace is a gift we receive from God and from the people in our lives. Sometimes we may not notice it and other times it seems to flow freely.

God often uses our darkest days to show us that His grace is all we really need. In today's episode, we explore living a Grace-full life, and when we need to allow ourselves a little extra measure of grace. Especially when it feels undeserved.

There are times in life when you simply have to do what your soul is longing for, even if it means letting go of something you really love. Even if it feels risky.

This week I share how a health scare, a tv show, and more than a few nudges from God gave me the courage to do what I'd been wanting to do for a very long time.

And why, even when it seems contrary to everything the world tells you to do, you have to do what is right for you. Sometimes you simply need to give yourself permission to pause.

Friends are some of our most treasured gifts. They help us through life's joys and sorrows.

But in these times of social isolation, it is more challenging than ever to stay connected. Which is all the more reason to do so. God never intended that we do life alone.

In this episode we talk about the importance of friends and ways we can stay connected; now and possibly forever.

It's rare when we get the opportunity to honor a true celebrity in our midst. But this week, we pay tribute to my father, Don Bourk, for being inducted into the South Dakota Auctioneer's Hall of Fame.

You will get a glimpse of the man who forged a career out of a talent few others are blessed with. And we get to honor him for the work he continues to do after 60 years.

Join me as I focus the spotlight on my personal hero as he is recognized for living a life well-lived.

Anyone else long for a time when we truly will all be one with the Spirit? It feels a long way off, doesn't it?

But it doesn't have to be. We can all change our actions and live the faith we proclaim. We can trust that God is in control and do what He is calling us to. Even, maybe even especially, when it seems contrary to what our better judgment tells us to do.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we revisit the sixty's folk song, They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love and explore what that can look like in today's world.

Listen now, you'll be glad you did!

There is a shift taking place in the world. People who long for truth, peace, justice, and morality are speaking up.

As Christians, we can no longer hide our faith from those we care about. We can no longer fear those who disagree with God's truth. And we can no longer risk walking the wrong path.

Listen to this week's episode and be inspired to stand up and speak out against the sin and evil that threatens every aspect of our lives. It's time to find the courage to walk away from the hatred and lies and live your faith.

It's easy to get discouraged when we focus on the things that are happening in the world around us. In fact, we sometimes have a hard time remembering that God is in control.

But if we focus on God's response when Job questioned God's wisdom when everything in his world was falling apart, we are reminded that all is not ours to understand.

This week's episode highlights a dramatization of God's response by Pastor Sam Handschke. It's a powerful reminder that the God who created the universe and everything in it is still and always will be in control.

When you think of the horrors of sex-trafficking, you can’t help but ask yourself, “Where Was God? How can He allow something like this to happen?”

In this episode of Longing for More, the follow up to session 116: The Evil in Our Own Backyard, we talk to former victim of sex trafficking, Kelly Patterson, and ask her just that.

Her answer will surprise and inspire you. Listen as Kelly shares her personal story of how God protected her during her years of trafficking and how she is using the experience to help others understand one of the worst epidemics devastating our world today.

When you think of sex-trafficking, you may think of unspeakable things happening to unknown faces in far off places. That’s probably why you live where you do. You want to be surrounded by people who hold the same morals and values you have and protect yourself from such evil.

If so, you may be shocked to learn that sex crimes are perpetrated against children right here in our own backyard. And that it has been going on for years. You might also find it hard to fathom that there are organized groups of people committing heinous crimes against our children in communities we've always believed to be protected from the world.

It is time to educate ourselves and speak out against these atrocities. In this special episode of Longing for More, we talk to former victim of sex trafficking, Kelly Patterson, and the Executive Director of a local domestic abuse shelter in Central South Dakota, Sarah Reinhart.

They are going to share what to look for and what to do if you see any possible evidence of trafficking in your community.

Be sure to come back next week when Kelly shares her personal story of how God protected her during her years of being trafficked and how she is using the experience to help others understand one of the worst epidemics devastating our world today.

Sometimes God's answer to prayer isn't what we expect or want. No one knows this better than this week's guest of Longing for More, Dorenthea Nemeth.

She prayed God would deepen her husband's faith but was not prepared for how that would happen. Her husband was arrested, tried, and convicted of a crime and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. But this story isn't about that.

It's about how God carried Dorenthea through this storm and gave her a peace that surpasses all understanding. And then He gave her a platform to help her encourage and inspire others to trust God no matter what storm they encounter.

You will be blessed by her courage and her faith, I promise!

We all have unique gifts and talents. And we are all called to use them where ever we are from day to day.

This week's guest, Doris Swift, is an author, speaker, blogger, and the podcast host of Fierce Calling. She is using her gifts to impact the world for Christ and is inspiring others to do the same.

Our conversation will educate, inspire, and challenge you to consider whether you are taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intercept.

This is the perfect discussion to conclude the series focused on designing a life where you are living in peace and fulfillment. If you haven't already, be sure to download the guide that will walk you through the steps to help you stop walking through life full of fear or dread and start living a life of peace and fulfillment by taking one small step at a time. Get your free guide at https://bit.ly/LFMNew.

God wants us to get to know Him. Not as an acquaintance, but as in a true friend.

In this episode of Longing for More, Author Kelli Garms shares insights on why we all should study the Bible and how it can change our lives if we do.

This may be the most important concept you will ever learn. This powerful discussion on Scripture and why each and every one of us needs to be in the Word truly could change your life.

Listen now and then share it with your friends!

We live in a broken world. We see it all around us as well as within ourselves.

Internally, we struggle with the battle between our flesh and our spirit. Fortunately, there is beauty in our brokenness and it is a blessing to be reminded that God's grace is sufficient.

Amber Cullum, our guest this week, hosts the podcast, Grace Enough. In this episode, we talk about God's forgiveness, practicing Sabbath, the challenges inherent in studying God's Word, and waiting on God's promises.

Listen and be blessed by this conversation that is full of grace and wisdom for life.

As Americans, we place a lot of value on being independent and living out the freedoms we enjoy. But as Christians, we also have the responsibility to do so in a manner that will glorify God.

With the world divided on so many fronts and everyone being hyper-vigilant about their individual rights, it seems all we hear and see are negative comments and hurtful words.

Our freedom is a blessing and we should be able to share God's truth as well as our own truth. But to do so in anger or with harsh words, in any circumstance, turns that blessing into a curse. We must be intentional about our words and actions if we are to be respectful of others.

This episode of Longing for More explores why we as a society strive for independence and how we can balance that with our freedoms.

"Our world is desperately seeking empathy," says this week's guest, Neil Matthews.

To meet that need, Neil and his team have created a podcast called, Other People's Shoes. On the show, he has conversations with people to get a perspective of where they've come from, who they are, and where they hope to go.

It is his hope that by understanding, or empathizing with others, we can better love and accept the people in our world.

Neil's is not the kind of story just everyone would be willing to share. But Neil knows that God can and, in his case has, used his mistakes to bring good into his and other people's lives.

Listen and be inspired to see life from a different perspective so you, too, can begin to fill that basic need we all have inside of us.

Like coffee, sometimes our faith can be too strong for others to take. So we water it down.

But we need to be careful that we don't weaken it so much that it is no longer recognizable.

In this episode, we talk about living our faith and making meaningful connections with others. How sometimes we are as close to the face of God as some people will ever see.

Listen and learn how important being a good neighbor really is as we continue the conversation about creating a new normal as we return to our lives.

Be sure to download your A NEW NORMAL: Create a Life of Peace and Fulfillment Guide today at https://bit.ly/createanewnormal.

Seldom do we get the opportunity to start over again. Regardless of how many little things chip away our satisfaction in life, it's simply too hard to make the changes necessary to make a new start.

But now that our lives have been turned up-side down it's different. As we begin putting our lives back together again post Corona Virus, we can create a new life; a New Normal.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we begin a series that will help us look at our lives from many angles. We will explore how we can take this opportunity to let go of the things that have been holding us back from having the life we long for. And begin to create one we can love. One that will fill our soul with peace and fulfillment.

Listen and download the guide to help you create your New Normal at this link today. https://bit.ly/createanewnormal

And be sure to stop back over the next several weeks as we go deeper into this concept from a variety of angles.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/revivingyoursoul/107_-You_are_Blessed_to_be_a_Blessing_No_More_Than_Ever-_6120_7.56_PM.mp3 There are times we end up over our heads in life. We are at a loss as to whether we should go forward or backward and nothing we do seems to work.

It's frustrating, especially when we've been praying our way through the process and feel it should be easier. But easier isn't what we should be seeking.

In this week's episode, we explore how at times like this we need to double down and pray through the overwhelm. And then wait for the opportunity to learn and to grow while we wait for God's amazing response to our prayers.

As we begin the transition from stay-at-home orders to normal life, our world takes another turn. Fear of sickness has shifted to anger and rage in our country.

This episode of Longing for More tackles the issue of how Christians are called to look at life's challenges from a different perspective. One of love and service.

In a time when our instinct is to judge others for doing things differently than we would do them, God calls us to forgive and use kindness as a bridge to others.

Listen and find out how you are blessed to be a blessing to others, especially now.

There are times we end up over our heads in life. We are at a loss as to whether we should go forward or backward and nothing we do seems to work.

It's frustrating, especially when we've been praying our way through the process and feel it should be easier. But easier isn't what we should be seeking.

In this week's episode, we explore how at times like this we need to double down and pray through the overwhelm. And then wait for the opportunity to learn and to grow while we wait for God's amazing response to our prayers.

The ability to take a bad situation and find the good in it is a rare gift. Being able to share the experience in an inspiring story is even rarer. Motivational speaker and author, Michael Arterberry, has this gift.

Michael grew up in a home with a raging alcoholic and a mother who, though they had little, was committed to leaving a legacy of faith. God is using his life's story to help troubled teens and adults find the silver lining in their challenges in life and find peace in their situation.

Michael is this week's guest on Longing for More. Listen as he shares how you, too, can shake off the dirt in your life and rise above the problems that come your way.

You will want to listen to every experience and every lesson and then you will want to share it with a friend.

When we talk about leaving a legacy, we want to leave behind something that matters. In these uncertain times, it is especially important to be intentional about our words and actions to ensure we endow those we love with the gift of faith and not fear.

This episode of Longing for More reminds us of important conversations we need to have to ensure our loved ones receive the most important legacy of all.

Everyone knows someone who avoids the camera. They conveniently turn away, disappear, or make a face whenever a camera is pointed at them.

I get it. Most of us are uncomfortable having our picture taken. But it isn't always about us, is it?

This week's episode of Longing to More will challenge you to rethink your perspective and see the bigger picture of why you should allow those photos to be taken.

Guest, Michelle Maupin Barrett, shares her story and explains how tragedy completely changed her thoughts on portraits and why she thinks everyone should stop hiding from the camera.

Our lives are full of choices. Things we should do, things we shouldn't do, things we want to do, things we don't want to do, and a thousand things in between.

It's hard to keep track of it all and it's nearly impossible to keep from getting overwhelmed. But when we consciously make decisions based on biblical truths using practical tools, it can be so much easier.

In this episode of Longing for More, our guest, Christa Hutchins, shares a wealth of ideas and practical resources that will help you sort out all the thoughts swirling around in your head and help you to do the one thing that matters most.

Be sure to listen to find out how to access her idea capture system. You will also learn how she finds a balance between hustle and rest where we walk with Jesus and work with him to fulfill his purposes.

Join us. You'll be glad you did!

Laughter is a gift we can use to connect with people in a way that little else can. It can also heal us both physically and emotionally.

This is demonstrated beautifully by the work guest, Dave Ebert, founder of the Gifts for Glory Ministry and Well Verse Comedy, does. In this episode, Dave shares how comedy has changed his life significantly. He explains how he once used humor as a way to hide and how he now uses it to reveal who God is.

Dave's used comedy to help others improve their communication skills, self-confidence, and to tap into their creativity. He's even used it to help kids in shelters to forget the burdens and scars they've been carrying throughout their life.

In this world where things are so uncertain and life can be a challenge, it is important to use all the gifts offered to us; especially the gift of humor.

Listen today, you will be blessed. I promise!

We are called to share the hope we have in Jesus with the world. Some share as a ministry, others as a part of their work, and yet others simply by the actions they take.

A relatively new way to share the message is through podcasting. But you don't have to host your own show to use this platform. You can be a guest on a show or you can simply share an episode of your favorite show with those you love.

In today's episode of Longing for More, the host of the podcast, By His Grace, Misty Phillip, tells why she started a movement to spread the message of hope through podcasting by hosting a conference for Christian podcasters.

Her story will inspire you to look for ways Jesus might be calling you to step into His calling. Who knows? Maybe God will spark a flame in someone's heart by you simply listening to this one episode!

Many believers keep a clear separation of their faith from the rest of their life. The result can be anything but living in peace.

In this, the second episode of a two-part series on relationships and religion, we visit with coach, author, and podcaster, Tim Winders. In this candid conversation, we hear his unique perspective from discovering Jesus in the work world.

You will be inspired to deepen your relationship with Christ and hopefully will deepen your faith in His promises through this uncertain time.

Even in times of uncertainty we can find an amazing gift of joy and peace when we trust in God's plan for our lives. Through our suffering, He will bring us together and bless us if we reach out to Him and trust in His provision.

In this episode, Part 1 of Finding Peace in Relationship and Religion, we explore how our relationship with Jesus is reflected in how we interact with others. We also see how our church community can bring us peace in these times of sorrow.

It is important in times of uncertainty that we keep the right mental mindset and that we prepare for what could happen. Whether you are fearful of the Corona Virus pandemic, are struggling with impending disease diagnosis, or have a confirmed diagnosis, it important to have a plan.

Your plan can help you deal with the various scenarios of what could happen to alleviate the fears that can arise.

Listen to today's episode of Longing for More where our guest, Jeanette Carbajal, shares her insight as a life mentor to cancer patients and their caregivers.

In this show, she shares how to cultivate a human road map that allows each family to reduce the stress of any potentially threatening situation so the focus can be on creating a healthy outcome.

It's a scary time in our world, but it is also an opportunity for renewal.

It's time to stop and take a look at your life and see if there is room for improvement.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we talk about getting back to the important things in life and taking time to revive your soul.

It's an unsettling time in our world. It seems everything we've known to be true has been turned completely upside down in a very short time.

Fear and uncertainty reign and nations are scrambling with how to respond to all that has happened and could happen.

Although it's been devastating in some parts of the world, other areas are gearing up to prevent that devastation from spreading.

In this episode of Longing for More listeners are encouraged to keep these preventative measures in perspective and to help by being the calm in the storm.

Sometimes we forget that to have a really great life we need to start by taking care of the body we have been given.

This week's guest, Best Self Health Coach, Jen Sprague, shows us how to have a really great life by incorporating PLAY into our routine.

Listen as Jen shares some amazing tips and strategies for being your best self and living your best life!

You can find Jen at jensprague.com.

Observing the season of Lent appears to be fading from our Christian culture. Although some still give something up to prepare for Easter, the practice is becoming superficial.

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More to learn why it is important to continue to observe this season and how to make it more meaningful.

To connect with The Best Lent Ever series, go to http://bit.ly/2PFYLGY.

To learn more about the Living your Faith Mastermind Community go to http://bit.ly/2TegN5f.

Sometimes we don't realize that our pain and struggles are gifts until we look back on them years later. Jesus has much bigger plans for us than we can imagine. Sadly, we often cling to the familiar not realizing they are the very things that hold us back.

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More to learn how He blesses us by helping us to let go of the very things that hold us back from becoming the person He created us to be. Truly, He can bless us when it doesn't feel like a blessing at all.

Do you have a tendency to separate your faith life from our “real” life?

Do you guard how and when you disclose your true feelings about your beliefs out of fear or self-doubt?

Do you find your work unfulfilling?

If you responded yes to any of these questions, you may not be fully living your faith.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we explore what living your faith looks like and how you can gain encouragement and support to live a more faith-filled life. One that helps you live your purpose and allows you to gain more peace and fulfillment in all areas of your life.

There are many ways to respond when we have to wait for God's answer to our prayers. We can get angry. We can walk away from our faith. Or as in the case of this week's guest on Longing for More, we can write a book about our experience.

In her book, In God's Timing, Jamie Lauing shares her story of the heartbreak of infertility that has turned to an even deeper faith than many of us can imagine.

If you, too, are waiting for God to answer your prayer, whether it is infertility or something else, you will want to hear Jamie's story.

Listen and then share with her how her story has touched you at lauingoutloud@gmail.com.

You can purchase the book at https://amzn.to/2HfHhwg

Learn more about the Mastermind Community mentioned in the show at www.vonajohnson.com/mastermind.

In God's Timing

You know the story, but have you ever thought about the story behind the story and what lessons we can take from David facing Goliath?

In this week's episode of Longing for More we talk about:

how to prevent fear from stopping us from doing what we are called to do,
how God prepares us for our challenges in life, and
how we can use our time wisely while we are waiting for our true purpose to become clear.

Learn how you can step up and face your Goliath in life.

Interested in learning more about the Living Your Faith Mastermind Community? Go to vonajohnson.com/mastermind

We all have a calling or a purpose in life. The reason we were created and the thing we are meant to be doing.

That calling is to serve and honor God or live out our faith. The beautiful thing about it is that we can do that wherever we are in the moment.

Having said that, it can be difficult to live out our faith in the harsh realities of the world today. It is generally easier to fully live our faith when we have a community to support us in our efforts.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, an earlier episode about living in our purpose is repurposed and reframed to talk about community and getting support. Listen and see if you are living a life of purpose and meaning or if it is time to gather with community so you can better serve where you are called.

To explore the idea of joining the Living Your More Mastermind Community, go to www.vonajohnson.com/mastermind.

Decisions can be difficult to make. Especially when we have many options and all of them seem to be good. That's when it's helpful to have a coach help you sort through the choices available.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, Vona Johnson coaches her guest, Sarah Rethwisch, through a decision as to what her next step in her business should be. Please listen along as they explore the opportunities and Sarah finds the best next step to take in her business.

Let us know if you were inspired by the discussion to move forward with a decision you have been stuck on.

Also, please let us know if you are interested in being coached on a challenge you are having on a future episode. Contact me at vona@vonajohnson.com.

Have you ever considered travel to be an opportunity to get closer to God?

This week's guest is podcaster and travel expert, Sarah Rethwisch. She shares how she is creating a career out of showing travelers how to recognize and communicate the many wondrous works of God before, during, and after taking a trip.

In the interview, she shares some of the adventures of her travels and how you can access her new book, How to Travel with Christ-Like Intention, where she offers tools to effectively plan and execute your next trip.

Be sure to check out the interview and then visit Sarah's website at Christiantravelers.net.

Are you ready to reevaluate how you define success and failure and level up your life?

Are you ready to stop playing small and use the gifts God has given you to finally live in fulfillment and peace?

Listen to this week's interview with Christian based speaker, coach, and author, Royce Gomez-King, on how she turned her history of being a "serial entrepreneur" into a life she loves.

In the interview, Royce shares how we are to all use the gifts and talents we are given to become the leaders and influencers we are created to be.

You can find Royce at Roycetalks.com and her books, including her latest, Level Up: Visioning Your Leadership on amazon.

Level Up!: Visioning Your Leadership DNA

We hear it all the time: Life is Short. But have you ever contemplated that even if we have a hundred years to live, it is still just a series of moments that fly by?

As we enter a new decade, it is the perfect time to examine our lives to see if we are actively living out our purpose or if we are simply letting life happen.

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More to reflect on how you can make every moment of your life count. Truly, it's time to start living like you've only got a hundred years to live!

If you are ready to stop letting life pass you by and start Living Your More, go to vonajohnson.com and schedule a call today.

Life can be full of challenges; some are avoidable and some are not. Regardless, we get to choose how we respond to those challenges.

The good news is that no matter how big or small our struggles are or whether we overcome them or not, we are guaranteed a happily ever after in Christ.

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More for inspiration to help you stay the course so you can reach your happily ever after.

The Night I Met Santa is a heartwarming tale that reflects on the real meaning of Christmas, expressed in a conversation between Santa and a rambunctious young boy named Jeremy.

Santa shares a story with Jeremy that explains why he brings presents on Christmas Eve—even to little boys and girls who may not deserve them.

Author Lora Johnson makes your child’s dream of meeting the beloved Santa Claus come true! Listen to this enlightening story to your child, and your little one will feel as if they are sitting right on Santa’s lap.

In addition, the artistic talent of Christine Ann Edwards comes to light as she captivates everyone that enjoys the warmth and wonder of Christmas.

This Bonus edition of Longing for More is recorded so you might play it for your children. Be sure to listen to episode #83 by the same title to listen to the interview with the author and hear the events that led to this touching story.

To learn more about the author or to purchase your own copy of the book, visit NLJ Books at https://www.nljbooks.com/books/the-night-i-met-santa.

This story was recorded by Vona Johnson of Longing for More with permission from the author.

Christmas is about much more than the decorations, the gifts, and the cookies. It's about love and giving, and grace. Every once in a while you come across a story that beautifully reflects the true meaning of Christmas.

The Night I Met Santa is a heartwarming tale that does just that. It is expressed in a conversation between Santa and a rambunctious young boy named Jeremy. Santa shares a story with Jeremy that explains why he brings presents on Christmas Eve—even to little boys and girls who may not deserve them.

Author Lora Johnson makes your child’s dream of meeting the beloved Santa Claus come true! In a special episode of Longing for More, we interview Lora Johnson to hear the moving event that inspired the book. And then we share the enlightening story so your little one will feel as if they are sitting right on Santa’s lap.

So pull up a chair and a cup of hot chocolate, and be ready to be transformed by a story that captures the spirit of Christmas.

You'll be glad you did.

To learn more about the author or to purchase a copy of the book, go to https://www.nljbooks.com/books.

Nutrition has a profound impact on our overall health. In today's show, we learn how one little girl went from a diagnosis of attention-deficit to being on the honor roll as a result of changing her diet.

Join us as today's guest, Alyson Chugerman, changed her child's life by changing her diet and how she wants to help others do the same.

Listen as she tells of the choices they as a family made and the significant impact it had on her daughter's success in life.

I believe every child deserves this same opportunity. Please listen and then share with others you know who can benefit from this perspective.

You can find Alyson and learn more about the work she does at https://attaintruehealth.com/

Surely the people on Noah's time thought it was ridiculous that he built the ark on dry land with no water within miles of the site. But as the waters rose, they must have reconsidered how foolish it really was.

Likewise, many people today consider the church to be just as absurd as the ark, but in fact, it is today's equivalent. In today's episode of Longing for More, we discuss thoughts on the similarities between the flood and baptism and the ark and the church.

If you or someone you know has lost touch with your faith, this is one episode you won't want to miss. As we enter the season of Advent, it is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with your faith and find the community that will help carry you to safety.

Shifting the things we focus on over the holidays is key to our ability truly enjoy the season. Starting with actively giving thanks and then finding ways to incorporate peace and joy into our days will be a blessing to ourselves and the people we love.

Listen to this week's show for both practical tips to survive the rush and then ten ways to focus on the abundance that is ours through Christ.

If you are interested in learning more ways to incorporate peace and calm into your life through the holidays and beyond, visit vonajohnson.com.

When God says no to something we want in life, it's because He has something much better in store for us. It is hard to accept in the moment and sometimes it takes years for His promise for something more to come to be.

In this episode of Longing for More, I share how God can use every day things in our lives to remind us of His promises for more, both those from our past and those that are yet to come.

Every 30 seconds, someone becomes a victim of modern-day slavery. There are more slaves in the world today than at any other point in human history.

If you are shocked by this information, you will want to listen to this week's episode of Longing for More, where I visit with Becky Rasmussen, the Executive Director of Call to Freedom. She explains how a whole community is addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

She also explains how God called her to lead this organization and how He prepared her for this journey; one step at a time.

You won't want to miss even one minute of this powerful conversation. And when it's over you will want to share it with your friends, because education and awareness are crucial if we hope to help end this hidden tragedy.

After listening to this powerful interview, please go to calltofreedom.org to learn more about this amazing organization and see how you can help.

Connecting with the things that matter in life can make the difference between living a life with little meaning and living a life of fulfillment.

God gives us dreams and desires and it is up to us to go after them, or to live our More.

If we don't we may end up living with regrets.

When we do, we find that life has more joy and meaning and it is easier to bear the times of trouble that will inevitably come our way.

In this episode of Longing for More, we discuss an opportunity to reconnect with your dreams again so you can begin to live the life your soul is longing for!

Sometimes we resist the life our soul is longing for. We over think the decisions we have in front of us and follow the path that makes sense instead of following the plan God has in store for us.

This week's guest, Natalie Arent, shares how she has learned to relax into her best life. She tells how once she stopped trying to make things happen and started to follow the clues God had given her, she found freedom in surrendering.

Even when it did't appear to make sense to do so, Natalie shifted from a path to becoming a nutritionist to being a brand marketing and graphic design specialist. Looking back, she knows it was her path all along.

Listen to Natalie's story to see if God may be giving you similar clues to living your More!

To find out more about Natalie, find her at https://www.nataliearent.com.

For more information on the Connecting with Your More half day retreat, go to https://www.vonajohnson.com/retreat.

Much like many of the characters in the TV series Outlander, we are all strangers in a foreign land. Heaven is our real home and we are here on earth for such a short time.

God wants us to live our lives here in fulfillment and in peace. Something few of us are able to accomplish because the priorities in our two worlds conflict greatly.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we contrast how the popular TV series is similar yet different from our own experience. Listen to learn how to lessen the conflict and enjoy more peace in your journey.

Living in faith isn't always easy. God often calls us to do things that don't make sense. And sometimes when we muster up the courage to take the action, it seems like we must have misunderstood because He doesn't respond the way or when we thought He would.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, Justina Ford shares how she has been blessed time and time again by taking action when it made no sense at all. She's a best-selling author, an intuitive business coach and an inner healing practitioner whose path could have only been designed by God.

She is beautiful inside and out and you won't want to miss her amazing story. To learn more about Justina, go to justinaford.com.

Rarely is it a straight line from where we are to where we want to be in life. We wander on our journey, sometimes due to the choices we make and sometimes due to things beyond our control.

But just because we wander, it doesn't necessarily mean we are lost. In this week's episode of Longing for More, we explore how to know when we need to make a change to get back on our true path again.

To get the links mentioned in the show go to https://www.vonajohnson.com/blog/all-who-wander-are-not-lost/.

When her life went from perfect to losing her five-year-old son in four short days, Renee Natzke experienced the most devastating tragedy any parent can imagine.

With God's help, she has been able to take that extreme pain and turn it into an opportunity to bring healing to others. Join us for her powerful message of hope and inspiration in this week's episode of Longing for More.

In the show, she shares the story of Jack's death and how God was with her each step of the way to help her bring joy to her life and to others.

You can learn more about Renee at her website: www.reneenatzke.com

For links to her facebook page and her Youtube video, go to www.vonajohnson.com/Renee

Experiencing a miscarriage can be a lonely experience for family members suffering from the loss. Unless friends and loved ones have experienced a similar loss themselves, they don't know how to respond. Many times the family suffers their grief in silence.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, guest Sunny Sink describes how she has been able to turn her experience of multiple losses into the opportunity to help others through this grief.

Listen as she offers suggestions on what to say to someone who's pregnancy has ended prematurely and how she turned her grief into a beautiful experience.

You can find Sunny and the resources she offers at ssinkcoaching.com. You can also find links to her social media platforms on that page.

To receive a copy of her list of things to say and not to say to someone grieving a loss, go to vonajohnson.com/podcast

Most of us have had a love-hate relationship with food at some point in our lives. We've become obsessed with what, when, and how we eat as evidenced by the many people who struggle with dieting or an eating disorder.

This week's guest on Longing for More, Transformational Health Coach, Melissa Mauricio, shares insight into releasing the restriction and shame mentality. Instead, she explains why it's important to develop a healthy relationship with food. Listen today and begin to find freedom from dieting so you can get what you really want in life.

To learn more about Melissa, go to www.melissamwellness.com.

To download the ebook, The Top Four Reasons Your Feel Unfulfilled by Your Success, go to www.vonajohnson.com/unfulfilled.

The way we chose to respond to the events in our lives empowers us to create a positive outcome. Today's guest, Martha Bass, is a life coach and is the co-author of the book, Love Heals.

She has used the miracle of forgiveness to overcome a tragic event in her life. She then was able to help a client create a miraculous recovery from a debilitating stroke utilizing that same power of forgiveness.

Listen to her story in today's episode of Longing for More to learn how you, too, can use the healing power of forgiveness to change your life!

Find Martha at http://www.marthascoaching.com.

Find her book, Love Heals, here.

Love Heals

When we don't set boundaries, we can find ourselves living outside our God-given purpose. When that happens, we experience burn-out, overwhelm, or can feel like we are stuck in a rut.

Today's guest, Jen Guadet, is a brand new international best selling author of her newly released book, Over My Dead Body, the Art of Saying No. In this, her first interview since the release of the book, you will learn about her work with healthcare and wellness providers and how learning to set boundaries has changed hers and many of her clients' lives.

To learn more about Jen, her practice and her new book, go to jengaudetcoaching.com. You'll be glad you did!

When we are in alignment with God's purpose for our life, we experience the difference between working in flow versus trying to force things to happen. Stephanie O'Brien-Martin is our guest in this week's episode of Longing for More. She shares how taking aligned action and working in massive surrender changes everything in life.

Please listen to her story and be sure to pick up her book, The Messy Middle, by going to her offer page at https://www.movedbypurpose.org/themessymiddle/. You can also find her programs and contact information at movedbypurpose.net.

The relationships we have with the people in our lives are indicators of the success or lack of success we experience. In this week's episode of Longing for More, we talk with Transformation Coach and Relationship Strategist, Gina Marie Cassano, about relationships with co-workers, spouses, and teens and how vital it is to maintain healthy connections in all areas of our lives.

Listen in as I interview with this Founder and Owner of Mindshift Coaching Services as well as Teen Life/Teen Strong to gain insight on how to improve all of your relationships.

You can find out more about Gina and her programs at mindshiftcoaching.com.

Living in integrity with our values is a key factor in living our purpose in life. God gives us the desires of our hearts to help us to live out the purpose for which he has created us.

Some, like the individuals in my examples today, courageously step into that calling. Others are less willing to say yes to the challenge.

Listen to today's episode of Longing for More, so you, too, can answer your unique calling and live a life well lived.

Join the NEW Live Your More Community in FaceBook today!

So many of us wander through life feeling empty and unfulfilled. We hide the truth so we can protect ourselves from all the things that could go wrong, but doing so also shields us from all the things that could go right!

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we explore how to stop avoiding the very thing God calls us to do with our lives. I invite you to listen and see if you are ready to start Living Your More!

Please go to: https://www.vonajohnson.com/discover/ to schedule a conversation.

In a world where we are constantly seeking the attention of others, the idea of embracing obscurity seems counterintuitive. But what if we set side our need for the approval of others? What if we simply did what we are called to do and let God take care of the rest?

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More for insights from the book, Embracing Obscurity, and how we can refocus our attention toward God.

In this crazy busy world of ours, it is hard to find time to sit quietly. Especially for those who make time to serve others in addition to their normal routine.

The Bible tells the account of sisters, Mary and Martha, and how they each served Jesus in their own way.

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More to find out if you are a Mary or a Martha and which one you might want to emulate.

We all need support in life. Whether we admit it or not, we can not do this thing we call life on our own.

Many times our natural support systems serve us well. Other times we need a coach to help us to know what we really want and then help us through the steps to get it.

In this episode of Longing for More, I share the four things to consider before asking someone for help getting through your challenges of life.

The search for contentment is ongoing, It seems that no matter how much we get of the things we want, it never seems to be enough.

What if you could find the secret to living in contentment and give up this ongoing search?

In today's episode of Longing for More, I share the secret to being content and what you can do to obtain it. In just a few short minutes, you can learn how to completely shift your focus and finally find peace and joy in your life.

What if, in a world where everyone seems to focus on our differences, we began to seek the common bond with those we meet? Imagine what the world could be like if we treated everyone with respect and dignity.

Our nation's history is full of times when we overcame that which separated us and became a nation united.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, I give examples of how we, like our fathers and grandfathers before us, are called to love our enemies and live as one nation under God.

Four letter words get a bad rap. Sure, some of them deserve it, but others bring joy into our lives. One, however, seldom gets used anymore. In this episode of Longing for More, I expound on why this word should become a common household word. Listen in and see if you agree.

There are so many opportunities in life. Some seem so good it feels foolish to turn them down. But there are times when opportunities turn out to be obstacles to getting what we really want in life.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, I share insights into when a no can be the best yes. Listen and learn how you use this simple word to live the life your soul is longing for.

Life teaches us all kinds of lessons. As I approach my 40-year high school reunion, I reflect on my life's journey and the changes I have experienced as a person.

Listen to this week's episode of Longing for More for insights on what this older version of me wishes the graduating senior version of me knew back in 1979.

Regardless of what you think of the HBO series, Game of Thrones, you cannot argue that it didn't capture the attention of the world. By the end of the series, tens of millions of viewers saw each episode.

But what of the other game of thrones? How many people are watching as the real-life battle of good and evil continues to rage on?

In this weeks episode of Longing for More, I compare the vastly popular HBO series to the war that continues in our hearts each day.

I invite you to listen for a fresh perspective on the continuing game of thrones.

If you are raising your family, you are likely living in stress and overwhelm and can probably relate to the 70'a hit "Cat's in the Cradle."

We've all had times when we've been too busy to fully maintain the important relationships in our lives. In this week's episode of Longing for More, I contemplate whether Jesus doesn't feel like the father in the song if we get too busy for him.

Listen to learn how much better life can be if we slow down and be fully present in our lives. Both in the big moments and the everyday moments.

We make choices every minute of every day. Some seem to have little consequence, but all of our choices matter. If we are unhappy with life, we have the opportunity to make different choices and start a new path.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, I challenge listeners to say yes to God's calling on their life and go after their More.

If you want to stop living in overwhelm or boredom and are ready to live in fulfillment and peace, schedule a Discover Your More Breakthrough Session today at www.vonajohnson.com.

Being a mom is probably the most challenging job any woman can have. We all do it differently and hopefully we get it right at least some of the time.

Join me for this week's episode of Longing for More for an incredible conversation about parenting with my guest, health and life coach, Meg Chlebek. It is rich with nuggets for relationships, connecting with God, and being a great role model for kids.

Whether you are a parent or not, you aren't going to want to miss this powerful conversation about how one mom is living her More!

Our soul longs for the things of meaning for our lives. The things that satisfy our deepest desires.

Sadly we too often do not fulfill our true needs because we are too busy trying to pursue our wants.

In this week's episode of Longing for More, we discuss what it takes to be truly happy and how we often try to satisfy our needs with all the wrong things.

For a session the determine what needs nourishment in your life, schedule your free The First Step session at https://vonajohnsoncoaching.as.me/thefirststep.

Life is a balancing act. It is important that we be grounded, but we also need inspiration to keep us motivated to reach our full potential. In today's episode of Longing for More (formerly Reviving Your Soul), we equate the balance to filling a balloon with helium and then making sure it is tethered so it doesn't drift away.

Be sure to listen so you can find the balance and begin to live the life your soul is longing for!

When you are done, be sure to chick here to schedule your gift, "The First Step" appointment! https://vonajohnsoncoaching.as.me/thefirststep

To have our best life, we need to be prepared to make changes from the path we are on. Knowing when to stay the course and when to make a change can be difficult. In this week's episode of Reviving Your Soul, I describe a big change I am currently making and how I knew it was time to shift directions.

Easter means different things to different people. The meaning it holds evolves as we mature in age and in faith. It holds so much joy that we really shouldn't limit our celebration to one day a year.

In this week's episode of Reviving Your Soul, our second to the last, we discuss why we should celebrate every day like it's Easter!

We begin our lives full of the possibilities of what could be. But along the way we experience one disappointment after another. Eventually we become hesitant to hope.

In this week's episode of Reviving Your Soul, we discuss the promises we have in Christ and how He gives us reason to walk in hope again.

Are you haunted by the knowing that you were created for more? Does your heart long for the life you thought you would be living? It's never too late to discover what it might take to step into your purpose. To find out how, listen to this week's episode of Reviving Your Soul called Longing for More.

The tongue is very powerful. It can lift someone up or tear them down in seconds. In this episode of Reviving Your Soul, we discuss why we need to guard our tongue, speak truth, and use encouraging words when we speak.

Life is busy. And it's hard to fit in all the things that demand our time. But spending a piece of each day in Scripture is a worthwhile investment. In this week's episode of Reviving Your Soul, we find out why it is important to make time to be in the Word.

Sometimes we are so comfortable with what we have, we don't recognize there is so much more. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode of Reviving Your Soul, we explore how God wants us to stop clinging to the things that are holding us back and live the abundant life we were created to live.

Are you avoiding difficult conversations in your work life?

Do you find it easier to sit back and remain silent when touchy subjects come up?

In today's episode of Reviving Your Soul, we discuss how it may be time to stop going along with society and speak out in love and kindness on behalf of the Truth. A time to become a peaceful warrior.

Living in integrity with our faith in the workplace can be tricky. We don't want to come on too strong, but we also don't want to deny what we know to be true.

In this week's episode of Reviving Your Soul, we discuss ways to balance the two extremes and hopefully be an encouragement to others in the workplace.