Longing for More

Have you ever watched someone you love drift off the path you thought God had for them? It’s painful—but it doesn’t mean their story is over. In this crossover episode (from Courageous Retirement ) of Longing for More, Vona shares insight from Scripture and personal experience about what it means to trust God’s plan when life doesn’t look the way you expected. Discover how to walk in peace, even w...

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 embr...

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. Von...

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&apos...

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 st...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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 sometime...

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...

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...

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 appealin...

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...

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 m...

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...

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...

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...

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, kindn...

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 hol...

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 th...

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 disb...

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...

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...