Spark Directory

Are you or someone that you know suffering through a grief that seems to linger on and on, especially during the holiday season?

In this episode, host Tina Yeager sits down with the talented singer-songwriter Grace Humphries, who opens her heart about navigating grief during the holiday season.

At just 18 years old, Grace Humphries has already touched countless lives with her soulful music and powerful message. She shares the inspiration behind her moving holiday ballad, "For Years," a song born from the loss of her beloved brother to brain cancer. Through their heartfelt conversation, Grace Humphries and Tina Yeager explore the complexity of grief—how it lingers, changes shape, and impacts not just individuals, but entire families. They discuss the challenges of childhood grief, the danger of comparison, and how important it is to honor every form of loss, from lost loved ones to lost dreams.

This episode isn't just about sorrow, though—it's about the hope and healing that come when we confront grief openly, lean into faith, and find creative outlets like music. Grace Humphries shares her journey through isolation, the support of her family, and how songwriting became a lifeline. Whether you're facing your own grief or supporting someone who is, this episode offers comfort, understanding, and a reminder that with time, things do get better.

Inside This Episode:

• The Story Behind "For Years": Grace opened up about losing her brother to brain cancer at just eight years old, and how that loss continues to color her holiday memories. Her vulnerability shines in her new song, written to comfort anyone who feels lonely, misunderstood, or sorrowful during this time of year.

• Different Faces of Grief: Tina Yeager and Grace Humphries discuss how grief comes in many forms—lost loved ones, unfulfilled dreams, even the ache of waiting for the right relationships. They unpack the myth that grief has a timeline, reminding listeners that "it gets more bearable every year" but never magically disappears.

• Supporting Each Other Through Loss: Grace shares insight into grieving as a child and feeling isolated at school, but also highlights the power of a strong support system at home and the healing found through music and faith.

• Music as Medicine: Hear how songwriting became an outlet for healing and self-expression for Grace, and how her Christian faith helped her move forward through anger, doubt, and loneliness.

• Messages of Hope & Empowerment: Grace hopes her listeners find comfort, knowing they're not alone. She encourages everyone to face grief head-on, reach out for support, and remember that even if things don't get "better" overnight, healing is possible in time.

Connect with Grace: You can listen to "For Years" and more on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or anywhere you stream music. Follow her journey on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or visit GraceHumphries.com for all the latest updates.

Staff Pick: Grace's favorite track (besides "For Years") is "I Couldn't"—a boss-girl anthem about saying no and standing up for yourself.

Final Thought: If you're struggling this season, take heart. As Grace says, "Keep going… in the right timing, it'll happen." Give yourself grace, and remember you're not alone.

We're thrilled to accompany you on this journey of faith, growth, and transformation. As always, we appreciate your support! Please subscribe and share this episode. We can't wait for you to join us for future episodes of Flourish-Meant.

To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/

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In this episode of Conversations with Christians Engaged, host Ben Quine continues our FPA: Building a Movement series with a powerful and timely discussion on the biblical relationship between the church and government.

Joined by Greg Baker, Founding Director of the Church Ambassador Network, and Brian Allen, Director of Operations, Ben explores what Scripture teaches about God’s design for family, church, and government — and how believers can faithfully navigate these institutions today.

Rooted in Romans 13:1, this conversation introduces the Shepherd to Shepherd model, which connects pastors and government leaders as fellow servants under the authority of Christ. Greg and Brian share how relational ministry, prayer, and biblical truth are transforming hearts inside state capitols across the country — not through politics, but through the gospel.

Listeners will hear:

• Why separation of church and state is biblical — and why it matters
• How pastors can engage government leaders without compromising the church’s mission
• Real-life stories of prayer opening doors for gospel conversations
• How the Choose Well program equips churches to steward the vote biblically
• Practical ways everyday Christians can pray, support their pastors, and engage faithfully

This episode is a compelling reminder that civic engagement is a mission field — and that God is still at work through faithful presence, humility, and truth.

Scripture referenced: Romans 13:1; John 10; 1 Timothy 2; 2 Timothy 2:24–26

Learn more about the Church Ambassador Network and connect with leaders: https://thefamilyleader.com/about/

Connect with Family Policy Alliance: https://familypolicyalliance.com

Join Christians Engaged as we equip believers to pray, vote, and engage for the glory of God and the good of our nation.

Learn more, support, and get involved:

• christiansengaged.org
• christiansengaged.org/donate
• christiansengaged.org/pledge

In this special episode, we revisit Bunni Pounds’ powerful remarks on America Reads the Bible—a national movement calling believers back to Scripture as the foundation of gratitude, renewal, and hope for our nation.

Originally shared at the Pray Vote Stand Summit, hosted by Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council, Bunni casts a compelling vision for America Reads the Bible 2026—a once-in-a-generation effort to unite believers in every state to read the entire Bible aloud, from Genesis to Revelation, in Washington, D.C. and across the nation as we prepare to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

This holiday season, as we pause to give thanks, Bunni reminds us that true gratitude flows from God’s Word—and that returning to Scripture is essential to rebuilding the spiritual foundations of America.

She also highlights how God is weaving together ministries and leaders—Family Research Council, Family Policy Alliance, Candace Cameron Bure, members of Congress, and over 100 national ministries—to declare with one voice: God’s Word still speaks, and truth still matters.

Learn more & get involved: https://americareadsthebible.com
✝️ Join the movement. One Week. One Nation. One Book.
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SUMMARY:

-Faith roots: Grew up in a large Romanian Christian family (with Syrian Christian heritage); accepted Christ at 7; faith deepened after her aunt’s death from cancer.

-Calling to law: Loved advocacy and public speaking; passed the bar after intense study; landed her dream role as a federal prosecutor in San Francisco.

-Health crisis: Fell acutely ill in week two on the job with a rare, under-researched neurological vertigo disorder; tried ~30–150 therapies and ~38 medications (often worsened symptoms); bedridden for three years on a bedpan; ultimately resigned her post.

-Ongoing illness: Continues to experience constant spinning sensations; multiple tentative diagnoses, no definitive cure; learned to walk again despite worsening symptoms when upright.

-Spiritual wrestle: Initial confusion turned to seasons of bitterness and anger (more than depression); felt misunderstood by some believers when she sensed God calling her to accept ongoing suffering.

-Acceptance and surrender: Believes God spoke that she would not be fully healed on this side of eternity; fasting exposed idols of health, marriage, and career; moved toward surrender and trust.

-Meeting Matt: Church acquaintance (youth leader) who reached out during her bedridden years; he had suffered childhood cancer and was later diagnosed with terminal cancer; they formed a deep bond through shared suffering.

-Marriage and loss: Married despite her illness and his terminal diagnosis; experienced “joy in grief” through ministry and creativity; Matt died a year later; Lara testifies to God’s peace and preparation through the loss.

-Joy amid grief: Practiced finding “sprinkles of joy” (comedy clips, music, niece’s smile, devotionals); launched The Silverman Show (YouTube: comedy, music, theology); organized jazz fundraisers, including $13K raised for Haiti.

-Theology of suffering:

-Identity transformation: Early identity tied to achievement and “gold stars”; illness stripped these; learned identity in Christ, not performance; challenged by Matt’s loving rebukes about pride and usefulness.

-Honest struggles: Jealousy when others receive “basic blessings” (marriage, children, health); wrestled with God’s statement “I know what’s best for you”; learning to believe God’s wisdom without having micro-level reasons.

-Church’s role: Encourage sound theology of suffering, eternal perspective, and the call to “joy in grief”; avoid equating God’s love solely with earthly blessings.

-Memoir: Wrote her memoir from bed over eight months, capturing God’s “receipts” (journaled answers, provisions, and lessons); aims to comfort sufferers with biblical reasons for suffering and stories of God’s nearness.

-Hope redefined: Realistic hope is anchored in eternity (John 11:25); freedom from fear of death empowers purposeful living now.

-Key scriptures referenced:

-Core takeaway: God provides “streams in the desert.” Open your heart to receive and choose joy in the midst of grief; joy and sorrow can coexist, and God will redeem suff