Spark Directory

PODCAST INTRO:

Liz and I agree that grief changes you in countless ways and as much as we may want things to go back to the way they were, they never will. How can they? We’ve lost a significant portion of our life.

Liz and her first husband, Ryan met when she was 22, fell in love and married in 2014. They wanted a family and were blessed with their first daughter. But sadly, they would only have 6 1/2 years together. Ryan, at 39 years of age unexpectedly passed away at home, alone on his treadmill.

To add more trauma to her shattered heart, Liz discovers that she’s pregnant one day after Ryan’s funeral. Not traumatized over being pregnant, but heartbroken that Ryan will never meet his daughter, nor will she meet her daddy and being a single parent was never in her life plans.

One of the significant motivators of transformation for Liz was the realization that she could stay bitter or get better. She chose, get better. She engaged the hard questions, evaluated the cost of living angry and despite the pain, she pushed forward to discover that she isn’t afraid to draw new boundaries, set new standards and start new businesses. She’s exploring life, options, opportunities and breaking ground (personally/professionally) in countless ways.

Liz has an encouraging perspective on finding her way through the pain, embracing new revelations of who she is as she grows through the various challenges and pain points with personal discoveries in all the many facets of her life.

Listen in to find out that widowhood is not the final chapter in her story, my your story and even your story.

Liz’s example gives us the courage to discover that there is even more to life because God is the author of our stories. He always has a plan and fulfilling your purpose has only begun.

You’ve heard me say many times before…keep your eyes on God because He’s writing a much bigger love story, an overarching love story with you as the unique person He created you to be and Liz, with the life she is choosing to cultivate is a beautiful example of that.

Let’s listen in and be encouraged today!

Live Loved and Thrive! @alifeofthrive.com

Here are some additional podcast episodes and/or blogs that pertain to finding God in our pain:

CONNECT WITH LIZ:

Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In this episode, host Doris Swift welcomes back her friend and returning guest, Rebecca George—author, speaker, and founder of the Radical Radiance podcast community. Doris and Rebecca dive into themes every woman can relate to, including living in that “in-between-almost-but-not-yet” season, and the struggle of waiting on God’s timing in a world telling us to hurry up, because we’re falling behind.

Rebecca shares insights from her newest book, You’re Not Too Late: Trusting God’s Timing in a Hurry Up World, and opens up about how longing, comparison, and even resentment can creep in, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Together, Doris and Rebecca discuss faith and trusting God with hopes, dreams, and that thing we’re longing for. They also talk about the importance of community, the dangers of the prosperity gospel, and how to cultivate spiritual resiliency in our everyday rhythms of waiting.

Whether you’re waiting for a breakthrough, struggling with unmet desires, or simply looking to find more joy right where you are, this episode promises wisdom, encouragement, and a reminder: it’s not too late for you. Join us as we lean into God’s timing, celebrate kingdom work, and find inspiration for your own fierce calling!

How does God turn worship leaders, teachers, and everyday believers into bold voices for truth in our culture? In this episode of our summer series recapping the 2024 Christians Engaged Conference, hear powerful testimonies from Anika Reeves, Jonathan Reeves, Anita Scott, Justin Bezner, and Susan Cordre—ordinary Christians who said “yes” to God’s call and stepped into extraordinary roles of civic engagement and spiritual leadership. Discover how:▪️A worship leader became a bold voice for biblical justice▪️A dad went from complaining to winning a city council seat▪️A principal lost a school board race but gained a call to policy▪️A husband and wife team sparked revival in their county▪️One woman’s yes led to hundreds finding their place in the missionThese stories prove that when believers pray, vote, and engage, communities are transformed. Subscribe for more stories that inspire Christians to live their faith in public life. Join us August 8–9 for our 2025 National Conference in DFW: https://christiansengaged.orgWe exist to awaken, educate, and empower believers in Jesus Christ to:▪️ PRAY for our nation and elected officials regularly▪️ VOTE in every local, state, and national election to impact our culture ▪️ ENGAGE our hearts in civic education or involvement for the well-being of our local communities and our nation Learn more about Christians Engaged: christiansengaged.org Support our mission: christiansengaged.org/donate Take the Pledge to PRAY, VOTE, & ENGAGE: christiansengaged.org/pledge

Are all kids tech-obsessed these days? Maybe—but some young minds are uniquely wired to build, create, and tinker. Today’s episode shares how to connect Tech Obsessed Kids to God's Word. Expert guest Allen Brokken joins host Tina Yeager to show us how to reach and disciple kids who might otherwise feel left out in traditional church settings.

Here are some highlights and practical takeaways from the conversation:

Understanding the Tech-Obsessed Child Allen shares from his personal journey as a lifelong “technology kid,” explaining how classic Sunday school—full of singing, listening, and sitting—often feels alienating for kinesthetic learners who need to use their hands and engage deeply with how things work.

Biblical Crafts & Hands-On Faith Did you know the Bible is full of design blueprints and craftspeople? From the Ark to the Temple, scripture is teeming with detailed constructions and creative talents. Allen suggests inviting kids to sketch, build, or even 3D print biblical objects, helping them see themselves in God’s story.

Not Just More Screen Time While we often link technology with screens, Allen encourages us to broaden our definition of tech engagement. Let kids craft, sew, tackle puzzles, or model biblical artifacts—offering them tactile, service-oriented projects that echo examples like Dorcas in the New Testament.

Resources for Parents & Leaders

• Free projects & workbooks: Allen’s website, towersoflight.net, offers free resources and a blog series with hands-on activities to align with scripture.
• Tech tip: For screen-loving kids, try Bible-based builds in Minecraft or digital Lego tools like BrickLink Studio.
• Homeschool curriculum: Check out multimedia language arts units combined with hands-on projects and audiobook learning for kids.

Intentional Inclusion Catch subtle cues—like glazed eyes or restless fingers—that signal a disengaged child. Simple strategies, such as leading questions during scripture reading or collaborative design projects, can transform frustration into inspiration.

Get Connected Find more project ideas, curriculum details, and Allen’s award-winning children’s fiction at towersoflight.net/subscribe. You’ll also receive their free newsletter with regular, creative ideas for engaging tech-minded kids.

Let’s inspire every child to find their place in God’s story—not just as learners, but as creators, problem-solvers, and world-changers.

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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