Lifesprings Podcast

In this final part of our "Kingdom Assignments" series, Brittany and Christa talk about what they have learned from interviewing all of our guests and what listeners can do if they feel like God is calling them to accept their own Kingdom Assignment. This conversation brings us full circle as Brittany points to some practices and spiritual disciplines (that were explored in our previous series) that can help us discern if it's the right time to jump into something new!

In our second-to-last episode of our "Kingdom Assignments" series, Christa and Britt talk to former Women's Ministries School instructor, Sandy Semenyna. Sandy shares tips on how to equip your self for a new role, as well as how to step down from one.

In this episode we are bringing you something a but different. The Lifesprings International executive team met in Canada this year so Christa brought her microphones and used this in-person opportunity to let our listeners get to know some of the women who have been part of the leadership team for the past few decades. Listeners will get to hear how they got started and where they are leading today.

In this episode Christa and Britt talk with "Lead, Develop, Care" trainer, Leanne Carter. Leanne shares about the work of shaping leaders...and why women may not see themselves in those roles. Leanne's own experience as a Christian missionary, church ministry leader, deacon, and mother has led to a deep passion for serving women and helping them to grow in their leadership, regardless of what stage of life they are in.

To learn more about Lead. Develop. Care. go to: https://www.leaddevelopcare.com/

To check out Leanne's leadership videos mentioned in this episode go to: https://www.youtube.com/@theeverydayprincess5057

To follow along with Leanne's ministry in Austria go to: https://d-t-n.org/

In this second part of our "Kingdom Assignments" series Britt and Christa talk to a former Lifesprings school student, Kae, about her experience discovering her own assignments. Kae talks about how her missionary and ministry work changed as she became a mother, and the advice she has for other women who are asking "what now" as their lives change.

This is the first episode of a new series called "Kingdom Assignments!"

Britt, Christa and returning guest, Janice Gutierrez, discuss where this term came from and how Lifesprings ministry schools brought this way of viewing serving from a practicum requirement into everyday Christian life. Janice, who is the former Executive Director of Lifesprings International, pastor and author, explains what G.R.A.P.E.S are and how they can help us discern the ways Jesus is calling us to be part of the mission to love others as He loves us.

Janice's book, "Searching for My Brighter Way: Lessons on Learning to Let My Light Shine," can be found on amazon.com.

In our last episode in the "Practices of Presence" series, Christa interviews Lifesprings Executive Director, Dianna (DU) Anton, about the Rule of Life.

As the Director of Lifesprings and a global missionary serving for over 2 decades, Dianna has personal experience with integrating the Rule of Life into her personal and vocational life. Anton helps us understand what this practice is, how it is a tool for spiritual formation and why it is better than New Year's resolutions!

To find out more, go to: https://lifesprings.org/developing-a-rhythm-of-life/ or contact us at: [email protected]

You can also check out this great website to see examples of how others have crafted their own version: https://ruleoflife.com/

We also recommend checking out Ruth Haley Barton's work on the Rule of Life: https://transformingcenter.org/2010/05/arranging-our-lives-for-spiritual-transformation/

In this episode, Britt and Christa talk about not talking - with silence and solitude being the 5th theme in our series.

Britt brings some personal experience and perspective on how Christians with disabilities can help us appreciate the impact of contemplative practices for our community.

Resource recommendations are:

"Spirit of the Disciplines" by Dallas Willard

"Celebration of Disciplines" by Richard Foster

"Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton

The "Year End Examen" developed by the LifeSprings team can be found here: https://lifesprings.org/examen/

In part 5 of our series on Practices of Presence, Britt and Christa talk to Author Tracie Bartak about Christian fasting. In this conversation, we explore what fasting is and what it is not, as well as some tips on how we enter into this practice.

You can find Tracie's book "The Fight for Family: Cultivating a Spirit Led Home" here https://www.amazon.ca/Fight-Family-Cultivating-Spirit-Led-Home/dp/1662887884 or wherever you get your books.

One of our podcast guests' book recommendations this month is the parenting books from Paul David Tripp, and Christa's mention was "The Justice of Jesus" by Joash Thomas.

In part 4 of our series, Britt and Christa talk with Dr. Carol Potratz about the gift and practice of "discernment." We ask Dr. Carol what exactly discernment in the Christian sense is, what the Bible has to say about it and how we can practice it together.