In this episode of the ‘only God’ Podcast, Stephanie L. Jones reconnects with Matt Ham, exploring their shared journey of faith, entrepreneurship, and the importance of family. They discuss the challenges and lessons learned through patience, provision, and the power of letting go. Matt shares his inspiring story of transitioning from a successful corporate career to following God's calling, emphasizing the significance of faith in everyday life and the impact of nurturing relationships with family. The conversation highlights the beauty of 'only God' moments in business and personal growth, encouraging listeners to embrace their own journeys with trust and humility.

Takeaways

• The journey of faith often requires patience and trust in God's timing.
• Generosity and gratitude are central themes in both Matt and Stephanie's lives.
• Letting go of control can lead to unexpected blessings.
• Family dynamics play a crucial role in personal and spiritual growth.
• Faith like a child can inspire creativity and entrepreneurship.
• Only God moments remind us of His provision in our lives.
• Success is often a result of collaboration and support from loved ones.
• Experiencing God through challenges can deepen our faith.
• Leadership is about serving others and being present in their lives.
• The importance of sharing our stories to inspire the next generation.

Chapters

00:00 Reconnecting and Shared Values

02:46 The Journey of Leaving Corporate Life

05:45 Preparation, Patience, and Provision

08:30 The Role of Faith in Financial Decisions

11:06 Family Dynamics and Spiritual Legacy

19:20 The Presence of God in Our Journey

21:43 Building Confidence Through Faith

23:57 Leading at Every Level

27:13 Father-Son Business Journey

30:19 The Power of Faith and Love

34:31 Lessons from the Nursing Home

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

Sometimes we don’t know what to say or what to share, but in those moments, God can show up in mighty ways. As Stephanie sat down to record this episode, she wasn’t sure what message she would share. But in that still moment, a simple miracle happened: a book she had been searching for for months appeared sticking out of the bookshelf beside her. The book, Dead Man Walking by Sister Helen Prejean, was signed by the author years ago when Stephanie heard her speak in person. It is a true story of Helen’s experience as a spiritual advisor to men on death row. The reason Stephanie was looking for this particular book? She is making a film about her friend who was shot and killed in the line of duty, which was tried as a death penalty case. 

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

In this episode, Stephanie L. Jones interviews Michelle Medlock Adams about her ‘only God’ story. Michelle shares some incredible stories of God showing up and using her for His glory. From a mysterious encounter confirming God’s calling on her life, to an inexplicably crazy ticket incident with her daughter, to writing about the Hoosiers 2025 football season - after hearing this episode, you’ll be saying, “only God!”

Michelle Medlock Adams: https://michellemedlockadams.com/

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

Why is prayer journaling so powerful? As we move into new seasons of life and new obstacles, we tend to forget the struggles we overcame in the past through Jesus. However, when we look back at prayer journals from the past, we can recount many ways God has been faithful in our lives. Sit down with Stephanie as she shares her experience of transcribing her many journals from years of handwriting her prayers. 

Thank you for commenting, sharing, and writing reviews! These are great ways to help other listeners hear stories only God could write.

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

Discover the inspiring story of Jon Nitta’s family who immigrated from Japan to the United States where they endured prejudice and extreme hardship during WWII. Although it is common for Japanese families to hold onto the religion of their ancestors and their community, Jon’s grandmother converted from Buddhism to Christianity, which helped her hold onto hope - even while being held in a camp for over two years with her twelve year old son right after the death of her husband. How did Jon’s family respond to the injustice and prejudice they faced? Did his grandmother’s faith in Jesus stay strong? How does this relate to modern times? Check out this episode to be inspired by resilience, strength, and faith in the face of adversity, right here on the only God Podcast - sharing stories only God could write.

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

In this episode of the ‘only God’ Podcast, Stephanie L. Jones shares a personal story about the power of connections and how God works in our lives over time. She reflects on her college experience, the friendships formed, and how those relationships can lead to unexpected opportunities. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of faith, hard work, and being open to new possibilities as she encourages listeners to trust in God's plan for their careers and lives.

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

In this episode of the ‘only God’ Podcast, Stephanie L. Jones and her friend Yemina share their deep connection through faith, art, and personal testimonies of God's intervention in their lives. Yemina recounts her journey as an artist, her experiences with evangelism, and the miraculous moments where she witnessed God's provision and healing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being open to God's calling, the power of prayer, and living a life dedicated to serving others. Through their stories, they inspire listeners to recognize God's hand in their lives and to be bold in their faith.

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

In this episode of the ‘only God’ Podcast, Stephanie L. Jones shares her journey of starting a publishing company out of frustration with the traditional publishing industry. She discusses her experiences in helping women publish their stories, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's call and the power of community in the writing process. Through her interactions with aspiring authors, Stephanie highlights how God orchestrates connections and provides support in their journeys.

Giving Gal Press: https://shop.givingyourbestlife.com/

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

In this episode of the ‘only God’ Podcast, Jeni Bolton shares her inspiring journey of giving and service. She and Stephanie L. Jones discuss how they met through community service ministries, the challenges and abuse Jeni faced growing up, and how she transformed her pain into praise by leading several ministries, including 500 Turkeys. Instead of allowing the difficulties to become excuses that keep her from serving, Jeni has learned how saying “yes” to God can lead to amazing miracles no matter who you are. She truly lives out the message Jesus gives in Matthew 25:35-40 about feeding the hungry and clothing those who need clothes. This episode is full of powerful stories of transformation and the impact of service on families in need, emphasizing that all of this is only God.

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/ 

In this episode of the ‘only God’ Podcast, Stephanie L. Jones reflects on Psalm 139, sharing personal stories about overcoming fears, particularly her phobia of dogs. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's presence in our lives and how He understands our struggles without us needing to articulate them. Stephanie encourages listeners to share their fears and challenges with others, highlighting the power of community and prayer. She discusses her experience of building a prayer team and the relief it has brought her, urging others to seek support in their journeys.

Let's Connect!

Instagram: @Giving_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GivingGal 

YouTube: Shine Forward Creative

Website: https://shineforwardcreative.com/