Shā Sparks is the CEO (Chief Excitement Officer) of Sparks of Fire International, a Certified Fearless Living Coach and Trainer, host of The Power of Investing in People Podcast, and Co-Founder of #FIRESTARTERS Book Project. Today, Shā shares how she spent much of her life without love and waiting to die, how she broke up with alcohol, and why she decided to pray for herself. Shā also tells us how God led her into her calling helping other as a coach. Her story reminds us that learning to receive love is an important part of the journey.

Listen to Shā’s story now!

Stories Shā shared:

• Spending many years wanting to die

Great quotes from Shā:

I was so giving that I forgot to give to myself.

I thought if I had needs, I was a bad person. The reality is we all have needs.

Love is what really surprised me.

When you are working to heal, you are working on your purpose.

Resources we mentioned:

• Shā’s website

Related episodes:

• Paul Sohn and Finding Your God-Given Purpose

The post Shā Sparks and Finding Purpose appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Chuck DeGroat is professor of pastoral care and Christian Spirituality at Western Theological Seminary and author of When Narcissism Comes to Church. Today, Chuck shares about dealing with anxiety his entire life, pursuing a life of influence, and how stepping back from that helped him find wholeness. Chuck also discusses the brokenness that so many pastors experience and how we can facilitate wholeness. Chuck’s story reminds us that honesty is the key to walking with the Lord.

Listen to Chuck’s story now!

Stories Chuck shared:

• Growing up on Long Island, NY

Great quotes from Chuck:

We all at some level have to reckon with our own dividedness.

We are all walking contradictions.

Resources we mentioned:

• Chuck’s website

Related episodes:

• Jeff Munroe and Stewarding Your Pain

The post Chuck DeGroat and Invitation to Obscurity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Cherlyn Decker is a best-selling author, speaker, and coach. Today, Cherlyn shares how she spent her life trying to achieve, how it all came crashing down when she lost her job, and the steps took through the spiritual desert. Cherlyn also tells us how she ended up with a spiritual director and how that helped her during a tough time. Cherlyn’s story reminds us that the Lord often takes away our self-made and protective identities to show us our true selves.

Listen to Cherlyn’s story now!

Stories Cherlyn shared:

• Growing up in Washington DC

Great quotes from Cherlyn:

I’m extremely mouthy with the Lord.

I never knew I was going to struggle with who I was.

God really does the best transformation work.

Resources we mentioned:

• Cherlyn’s website

Related episodes:

• Patrick Meyers and The Kind Initiator

The post Cherlyn Decker and Learning to Roar appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Janna Thompson is the creator behind Project Shine. Today, Janna shares some surprising moments when the Lord has spoken and worked in her life. Janna shares how the Lord met her when contemplating suicide, protected her during a horrific car crash, and provided for her needs. She also lets us into her prayer closet where we glimpse the intimate nature of her relationship with him. Sometimes that involves putting on her “sassy pants” and asking God some tough questions. Janna’s story reminds us that the Lord can handle them.

Listen to Janna’s story now!

Stories Janna shared:

• Growing up in a non-denominational, traditional church

Great quotes from Janna:

Being a parent is my greatest adventure.

Good, bad, or ugly, no matter what you describe about the spiritual realm, it sounds scary.

His pursuit of me was greater than my ability to misunderstand him.

Prayer was never meant to be a monologue.

Never fall for the trap that God has rejected you.

Resources we mentioned:

• Project Shine

Related episodes:

• Patrick Meyers and the Kind Initiator

The post Janna Thompson and Spiritual Sassy Pants appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Dr. Drew Moser is the Founder & CEO of TypeTrail, and enneagram-based coaching firm. He’s the author of The Enneagram of Discernment: The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, & Practice and is co-host of Fathoms: An Enneagram Podcast. Today, Drew shares about sensing a call to ministry, beginning marriage in a season of grief, and how discovering Enneagram gave him a better understanding of himself. His story reminds us that knowing ourselves is a key part of the journey with Christ.

Listen to Drew’s story today!

Stories Drew shared:

• Getting into and serving others through Enneagram

Great quotes from Drew:

Type is the trailhead.

Is the Enneagram Christian? No. Is the Enneagram anti-Christian? No

Resources we mentioned:

• Andrew’s website for TypeTrail

Related episodes:

• Suzanne Stabile and How Enneagram Helps Relationships

The post Drew Moser and Enneagram Type is Just the Beginning appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Sue Donaldson is an author, speaker, and podcaster. Today, Sue shares about doubting her faith in college, struggling with her singleness, and learning to lean on the Lord more than her husband. Sue is a master at creating great conversations and she tells us how that became part of her ministry. Plus, she reminds us that not being hospitible is really about pride, not personality. Her story will encourage you to just be a friend to make a friend.

Listen to Sue’s story now!

Stories Sue shared:

• Forgetting how much she enjoys speaking

Great quotes from Sue:

When you get to do God’s gift, it’s not a drag.

It’s okay to doubt. God is big enough for your questions.

When you study who God is, you can’t help but open your home.

Don’t be afraid to open your door.

Resources we mentioned:

• Sue’s website

Related episodes:

• Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Leading

The post Sue Donaldson and The Welcoming Heart of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Jay Bakker is an author and speaker at Revolution Church. If his name looks familiar, it’s because he is the son of famed televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Today,  Jay shares about growing up as his parents rose to fame and fell, how he ignored God for a season, and discovering the radical nature of grace. He describes getting sober and why he things of theology as art. Jay’s story reminds us that God accepts us as we are because he loves us.

Listen to Jay’s story now!

Stories Jay shared:

• Growing up as a televangelist kid

Great quotes from Jay:

So much of what I’d been taught, and the culture I grew up in was only part of the story.

Grace is anarchy. You don’t get an asterisk.

I’m not going to let someone’s political views make me hate them.

Resources we mentioned:

• Revolution

Related episodes:

• Jamie Rowe and Finding His True Home

The post Jay Bakker and Discovering Unbelievable Grace appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Amy Watson is a businesswoman and podcaster. Today, Amy shares her story of unbelievable trauma and the community the Lord used to help her heal. Amy tells us about being abused by a serial killer, finally sharing what was happening and getting help, and the moment she felt safe enough to fall apart. Amy has turned her story into the ability to minister to others with similar ones through her podcast Wednesdays with Watson and it’s making a difference. Her story reminds us that the Lord wastes nothing, even our most painful moments.

Listen to Amy’s story today!

Stories Amy shared:

• Growing up in Florida

Great quotes from Amy:

I have been an adult as long as I can remember.

Trauma does not have to be the end of your life.

The thing the Lord has used the most is his people who love me.

Resources we mentioned:

• Amy’s website

Related episodes:

• Mary DeMuth and Her Avenue for Healing

The post Amy Watson on Trauma, Healing, and Community appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Chaplain Colonel Charles Causey is an author, pastor, and chaplain. Today, Charles shares with us his story of resisting the call to ministry, how the Lord’s providence has cared for his family through the years, and why  he decided to become a writer. We also discuss his latest book Candor which is all about navigating difficult conversations with love and grace. Charles’s story reminds us that the Lord’s heart for us is always truth but also love.

Listen to Charles’s story now!

Stories Charles shared:

• Growing up in Leavenworth, KS

Great quotes from Charles:

Sometimes you feel lost when you’re not around those you love the most.

God has big shoulders.

Write for yourself.

Resources we mentioned:

• Charles’ website

Related episodes:

• Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures

The post Charles Causey and Chasing Candor appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Billie Jauss is an author, speaker, podcaster, and baseball wife. today, Billie shares how she sensed a connection to God as a young woman, when an atheist counselor advised her to go back to church, and how she as discovered the value of sharing herself with others. Billie writes and podcasts devotional material and hosts Bible studies which help many stay grounded in the Bible. She also gives us a peek behind the scenes of what it’s like living inside of baseball. Billie’s story reminds us that whatever your life is like, God is right there with you.

Listen to Billie’s story now!

Stories Billie shared:

• Getting into baseball and writing devotionals

Great quotes from Billie:

Baseball is a family. Fans are a family.

Home is where we all are together.

He is the way, the truth, and the life. To turn back to him is what

Resources we mentioned:

• Billie’s website

Related episodes:

• Gari Meacham and Hitting Life’s Curveballs

The post Billie Jauss and Home is Where We Are appeared first on Eric Nevins.