Longing for More

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 ev...

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 tra...

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 ambassador...

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 breas...

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...

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...

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 epis...

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...

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 drama...

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...

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 th...

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 tha...

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 taki...

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...

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, pra...

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...

"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,...

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...

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&...

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 differ...

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 do...

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 troub...

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...