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 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,
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Vona Johnson Is Where Christians Podcasts
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178. Trust the Path: Praying Loved Ones Back to Truth
7:19
7:19
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7:19Have 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 yo…
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177: Forgiving the Unforgivable ~ A Christmas Story
9:55
9:55
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9:55Christmas 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 encour…
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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 …
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175: How is God Using You to Make an Impact?
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43:34
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43:34Do 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 Jessic…
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174: Are You Fulfilling God's Purpose For Your Life?
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33:11Join 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 engag…
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173: Walking In Obedience Through the Hard Seasons of Life
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34:12In 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 diff…
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172: Discovering Your True Identity in a World of Lies
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35:16On 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 understandin…
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171: Understanding the Part You Play in the Body of Christ
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51:59
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51:59In 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 l…
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170: Where Will Your Faith Journey Take You?
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19:26Just 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 explor…
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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,…
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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 lovin…
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167: Are You More Like Bold Peter or Doubting Thomas?
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11:10In 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, que…
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166: Biblical Rest–What if it looks different than we thought?
1:03:39
1:03:39
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1:03:39We 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 theo…
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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 circumstan…
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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 fro…
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163: Unvarnished Faith–Love with a Servant's Heart
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50:10
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50:10Our 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 bo…
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162: Finding Hope Through Faith–Overcoming Addiction
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50:42
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50:42This 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 Ros…
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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 exact…
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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…
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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 shif…
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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 an…
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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 a…
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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…
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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…
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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 g…
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153: Don't Be Distracted From the Things That Matter
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17:58Life 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 …
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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 kindne…
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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…
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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,…
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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 …
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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 l…
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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 stan…
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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…
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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. I…
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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…
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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 …
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142: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
9:42
9:42
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9:42Most 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. …
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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…
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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 …
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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 peo…
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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 …
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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 …
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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…
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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,…
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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 tr…
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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 b…
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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 disapp…
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131: A Different View of the Season of Advent
15:18
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15:18Believers 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 t…
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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. L…
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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,…
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