SPARK the Podcast

It can be easy to define ourselves by our careers or the roles we play in life.  Wife, daughter, sister, mom, wedding photographer, student, believer.  If we are sons and daughters of Christ, how do our roles differ from our identity?  In this episode, Caroline Shea talks us through her life full of change! Over the last few years she has been a professional wedding photographer, gone to ministry school, become a mom, and is currently studying her childhood passion, theater. Caroline shares how she saw God leading her down each of these paths.  Even with so much change, Caroline's identity is not in her career or her roles.  Caroline is a loved child of God, and that is more than enough.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5

Right now we are in the middle of COVID 19.  In the US alone millions of people have lost their jobs.  We have lost loved ones, our health.  It is easy in a time like this to feel lost. Knowing where our true identity lies brings hope. Our lives are not random or by accident.  We were made by a creator with intention!  In this episode of SPARK the Podcast, Mekina and Amy dive into how being a child of God changes everything.  Even if we lose our earthly titles, (wife, mom, photographer, friend)  even if they are stripped away, we will always be children of God, loved by God. 

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”. -Psalm 139:13-16

Cinnamon accepted Jesus into her heart when she was young, but her relationship with God really grew while walking the hills of Seattle in her early thirties!  Cinnamon openly shares about seasons of feeling far from God and seasons of closeness.  God’s goodness and timing in her life are encouraging and full of hope, and we can’t wait for you to hear her testimony!

In this episode of SPARK the Podcast, Mekina and Amy chat with Nadine about finding eternal hope in God through difficult diagnosis during and right after all three of her pregnancies.  She shares how God has asked her to hold her children with an open hand and trust in Him.  Nadine’s hope and love for God through challenging times is beautiful.  We hope you will find this conservation as encouraging as we did!

"Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you. I will hold you with my right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

It can be difficult to find hope in the midst of anxiety and physical pain.  On this episode of SPARK the Podcast, Cassady Adams shares where her joy comes from and why she chooses to focus on hope over hurt.  "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." -Isaiah 40:31

In this episode, Stephanie Herrera shares the story of her pregnancy journey and the loss of her baby boy.  Stephanie explains how she saw God come alongside her, and dives into the "well" she has been digging and drawing from during this challenging time. 

Stephanie shares, "We are told in this life you will have trouble, you will experience hard things, but it’s what you make of those really hard things that matters most. We pray this story will give you hope and bring awareness to miscarriage. To those walking through it right now and to those that have been there. We see you, we feel your pain and we offer you hope. You are not alone."

 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10

Hope can be hard to find when we look to the world.  As nice as it sounds to “live your best life, believe in yourself, and achieve all you can achieve, these goals often leave us searching for something more.  This month on SPARK the Podcast, Mekina and Amy will be talking about where we find true hope, eternal hope in our Savior.  Deuteronomy 31:8 says “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  In this life we will face many challenges and we will carry many burdens, When navigating through difficult life situations, let’s turn to the One who gives us true rest. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Our first testimony on SPARK the Podcast!  Amy and Mekina chat with Cassi Claire about how she came to know God when she was 19 years old. Cassi openly shares about how she went from being a self proclaimed atheist to being “on fire” for God and sharing about His love and radical life changing ability with everyone she knew.

In this episode of SPARK the Podcast, Amy and Mekina chat with Deborah Ryan about how to find community right where you are.  They talk through where community is successfully modeled in the bible (dating back to the very beginning with Adam and Eve) and what God’s plan is for community in our lives.

This week on SPARK the Podcast Mekina and Amy chat with Jenna Shotmeyer about what God says about community!  “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:4-6.  In this episode we look at the importance of coming together and using the different gifts God has blessed us with to live out a life that brings others to Him.