Longing for More
181 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 22 ratingsThe Longing for More podcast with Vona Johnson is where Christians come to strengthen their faith, revive their soul and learn to live their lives with a sense of fulfillment and peace. Listen to learn how to incorporate your faith into your daily activities, stop wandering through life feeling empty and unfulfilled, and begin to live your More!
This show was originated under the name, Reviving Your Soul,
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Episodes
176: Re-engaging Words of Encouragement
August 08, 2023 09:30We're taking a little trip down memory lane as we bring back some of the good stuff from the early days of our podcast. Today's rerelease is from episode 45 when the show was still called Reviving the Soul. It is titled 'Words of Encouragement.' The show is full of golden nuggets that are more applicable today than when it first aired. It is worth a listen, whether you've heard it before or not, as it emphasizes the importance of engaging in wise and respectful conversations. It shares...
175: How is God Using You to Make an Impact?
July 25, 2023 09:30 - 43 minutes - 59.8 MBDo you long to make an impact in the world? Do you question whether God can use you? In this episode of Longing for More, special guest Jessica Klassen shares her journey of creating a unique approach to making an impact, and we'll dive deep into how God has guided her to fulfill His purpose. We'll also take a closer look at the Ripple Boxes Jessica has created, the challenges she's encountered, and how she has learned to trust God along the way. She explains how each Ripple Box impacts a...
174: Are You Fulfilling God's Purpose For Your Life?
July 11, 2023 09:30 - 33 minutes - 45.6 MBJoin host Vona Johnson and her guest, Dr. Bren Williams, as they explore fulfilling God's purpose in life. Discover the obstacles that hinder destiny, embrace daily opportunities, and strengthen your faith. Dr. Bren shares insights from her book, Breaking Forth 2 Destiny: Arising from where you are to where God has destined you to be. In this engaging conversation, you will hear personal stories that will help you understand the power of prayer, the impact of small acts of kindness, and ...
173: Walking In Obedience Through the Hard Seasons of Life
June 27, 2023 09:30 - 34 minutes - 47 MBIn this amazing episode of "Longing for More," we visit with the wonderful Jodi Howe, host of the podcast Air That I Breath, speaker, Worship Leader, and new Author. We talked about in this time when Satan is actively impacting every area of life, it is even more important than ever that we live a life of purpose, trust in God even in the most difficult seasons, and incorporate scripture in our daily lives. In this conversation, where we discuss the hard topics of our day, Jodi emphasized...
172: Discovering Your True Identity in a World of Lies
June 13, 2023 09:30 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBOn this episode of Longing for More, Vona Johnson and guest Elaine Briefman discuss the issue of "identity abuse" and how it can impact people's lives. Elaine shares her personal struggle and how she overcame it with the help of God. The episode covers topics like forgiving those who have hurt us, aligning our identity with Christ, and understanding the laws of nature and free will. Listeners will learn about the impact of identity abuse and how to recognize lies from the enemy. The episod...
171: Understanding the Part You Play in the Body of Christ
May 30, 2023 09:30 - 52 minutes - 71.4 MBIn this episode, guest Marty Mitchell shares how to connect more deeply with the Holy Spirit and experience holiness in our lives. He challenges listeners to see past denominational lines and to focus on what unites Christians rather than what divides us. The conversations devels into exploring the importance of Scripture, humility, and genuinely listening to understand others. Mitchell discusses his book, The Capillaries of Christ, which helps individuals determine and understand their r...
170: Where Will Your Faith Journey Take You?
May 16, 2023 09:30 - 19 minutes - 26.7 MBJust like everyone's DNA is different, everyone's faith journey is different. We have diverse experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds. We get to choose what course we will take, and our choices impact our path. It's an incredible gift that we can all end up in the same place with entirely different experiences as believers. In this episode, we explore where there are similarities in our paths and, as a result, how we can encourage and support one another along the way. Join us as we discu...
169: Don't Ever Give Up
May 02, 2023 09:30 - 16 minutes - 22.2 MBDo you ever get discouraged, feel like your work has little value, and begin to doubt if God can use you in your current circumstances? You're not alone. We all waver between certainty and doubt at times. We want to walk in God's will, but when things don't turn out, it's easy to think we're on the wrong path and doubt our purpose. In this episode, we explore how sometimes God's definition of success differs from ours and how He wants us to continue in His plan, even when we don't see t...
168: Shining Our Light in the Darkness
April 18, 2023 21:28 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBThe world can be a dark place. Too many focus on our differences and respond to the things we disagree on in unkind ways. Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, including those who aren't easy to love. As conservatives, we often hesitate to get involved in stopping the corruption we see around us; when we do, we don't always do so in a kind and loving manner. In this episode, we dig into what it means to be zealous for Christ without being a zealot. We, who want to make a positive change, c...
167: Are You More Like Bold Peter or Doubting Thomas?
April 04, 2023 09:30 - 11 minutes - 15.3 MBIn this episode, we explore the age-old question of whether we are more like bold Peter or doubting Thomas. Through stories and reflections from the Bible, we examine the moments in our lives when we take risks, step out of our comfort zones, and demonstrate courage like Peter. At the same time, we also delve into the times when we have doubts, question our beliefs, and struggled with uncertainty like Thomas. But as we delve deeper, we discover that these two seemingly opposing traits are ...
166: Biblical Rest–What if it looks different than we thought?
March 21, 2023 09:30 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBWe know God rested on the seventh day after creation. But what if the word rest has a different meaning than we thought? What if Jesus offers something deeper than physical rest, inviting His followers to experience satisfaction and peace by understanding and following God's will? Guest Gregory Hall, the author of Rethinking Rest, explores the theology of rest in an accessible and appealing manner in his book and in this conversation, where we dig into the concepts of rest, Sabbath, and S...
165: The Only Thing That Matters
March 07, 2023 10:30 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBTrusting in God and focusing on Jesus in difficult times is challenging, but when you layer the death of a loved one and a parent with Alzheimer's, you quickly learn it's the only way to get through it. You realize how important it is to remain patient and open to God's plan, even when things don't come together as we want. No matter the circumstances in our lives, it helps to remember that our faith grows during trials and that we can develop a closer relationship with Jesus during trying t...
164: Look for the Good in Everything
February 21, 2023 10:30 - 9 minutes - 12.5 MBTrusting God is easy when our plans come together the way we want. But when things don't go our way, we tend to focus on the negative and doubt God's plan. Like Peter, we begin to falter when we take our eyes off Jesus and look at the storm around us. In this episode, I share how I lost sight of this and how a perfectly timed devotion and words from a friend brought me back and helped me focus on the good in the situation.
163: Unvarnished Faith–Love with a Servant's Heart
February 07, 2023 10:30 - 50 minutes - 68.9 MBOur faith intersects with life experiences every day. This conversation with author Bill Yoh emphasizes how faith should be embraced and how it can serve as a guide to having great relationships. In it, Bill encourages us to pursue service and connection with those around us and to strive for unity rather than division. Bill shares how his first book, Our Way, was inspired by his father, and his second book, the newly released Unvarnished Faith, was inspired by an unexpected journey of the...
162: Finding Hope Through Faith–Overcoming Addiction
January 24, 2023 10:30 - 50 minutes - 69.6 MBThis discussion focuses on how leaning on our faith in God to avoid alchohol helps us to cope with difficult situations. Rose Ann Forte shares some key takeaways on how to stay mindful of risks associated with alcohol while also finding alternative and healthier coping mechanisms such as prayer, gratitude, and faith. In this episode, we discuss Rose Ann's book, The Plans He has for Me, which has helped people from all walks of life develop a deeper relationship with God. Her process helps ...
161: Are You Living Intentionally?
January 10, 2023 10:30 - 14 minutes - 19.7 MBThere are only two paths we can follow in life. We can live a faithful life, or we can live a faithless life. There is no middle ground. But if we aren't intentional about how we spend our days, it is easy to drift onto the wrong path. This episode discusses what it takes to live our lives intentionally and why we must do so. God will tell us exactly what we need to do to live out His calling in our lives, and if we listen, we can cease our striving and live a life of meaning, peace, and f...
160: Equipped for More
December 20, 2022 20:55 - 48 minutes - 66.6 MBLiving our faith daily can be challenging at times. We know why we should, but sometimes knowing HOW to do it can seem daunting. In this SPECIAL EPISODE, we explore Vona's new book, Equipped for More. Join author and coach Dana Lyons as she interviews Vona to give you an inside look at the book and discover the next right step in your faith journey. Show notes
159: Are You REALLY Ready?
December 13, 2022 10:30 - 15 minutes - 20.9 MBWhen preparing for Advent, we typically focus on preparing our homes by decorating, baking, wrapping gifts, and preparing meals. But how much time do we invest in preparing our hearts for the Advent of Jesus' return? In this episode, we explore letting go of expectations and trusting God when things don't go as planned. You'll be encouraged to shift your focus to forgiveness, kindness, and patience to be prepared for Christmas and every day in the New Year. To look beyond the season and e...
158: The Gift of Light
November 29, 2022 10:30 - 12 minutes - 17.3 MBThe season of Advent is a beautiful time of year. Some conversations can be challenging as we celebrate with friends, coworkers, and family. It's an excellent time to remember that we reflect the light into the world and that we can turn those difficult conversations into meaningful ones. Listen to this episode for tips on shifting conversations and shining the light, not just during the holidays but throughout the year. Click here to join the Equipped for More waitlist.
157: Keep Taking the Shots
November 15, 2022 10:30 - 10 minutes - 15 MBEvery sports fan knows you keep shooting shots on goal at every opportunity. When you think about it, it's that way with our faith, too. We love others, share our stories, and show kindness even if we occasionally miss the mark. We keep going even if we don't see the results we want. In this episode, we make an unconventional comparison of hockey and our lives of faith. We keep taking the shots because we never know how many lives we'll impact when we finally hit the goal.
156: Courage is a Choice
November 01, 2022 09:30 - 39 minutes - 53.8 MBWe are called to have conversations that speak the truth and to live in such a way that people will want to know Jesus after being with us. But it takes courage. I love how today's guest, Rebecca Tabbert, calls herself a Former Overweight, Atheist, Corporate Girl Turned JESUS Loving, Fiercely Fit, Entrepreneur. Years ago, she watched as two friends gave their lives to Christ despite her disbelief, and after seeing their transformation, she knew she wanted what they had. It took courag...
155: Finding Beauty Along the Way
October 18, 2022 13:17 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBLife's journey is full of ups and downs. This episode will inspire you to find beauty amid trials in life. You will hear parts of a longer conversation. Though we specifically talk about breast cancer in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is an opportunity to discover beauty in every challenge we face. You will be encouraged to find how God can turn every situation into an opportunity for good. Join the FREE Live Your More Community to listen to the full episode titled The Gift...
154: When God Doesn't Answer Our Prayers
October 04, 2022 12:32 - 14 minutes - 148 MBIt can be frustrating when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we want. In this episode, we discuss how that can be a good thing—that God may have something better in store for us. Vona shares her greatest unanswered prayers and why she's grateful that God said "no." Learn how to better align with God's will so you can ask for what He wants to give you. Sign up for the Live Your More Newsletter!
153: Don't Be Distracted From the Things That Matter
September 20, 2022 09:30 - 17 minutes - 27.5 MBLife gets busy, and it's easy to get distracted. We can quickly end up off the path intended for us without realizing it, especially when we are doing important work. Satan loves it when we get pulled away from the people in our lives and the work we are called to do. Don't let him get away with it. Let go of the things that distract you from your purpose, and choose the things that matter. In this episode, we discuss how to strengthen our faith and trust God enough to take the next step...
152: Are You Quick to Judge Others?
September 06, 2022 09:30 - 11 minutes - 18.7 MBDespite everything that separates us in the world, we have more things in common than most care to admit. We are all God's children, and we are all sinners. It's easy to cast the first stone when we see wrongs happening in the world around us, but we are challenged to be gentle with those who oppose the truth. When we stand up for truth with kindness and grace, others see Christ through us. In this episode, we discuss how we are challenged to stop judging and start treating everyone with...
151: A True Servant Leader
August 23, 2022 09:30 - 6 minutes - 12.1 MBServant leaders don't look for accolades; they quietly do the work they are called to do and show God's love through their actions. In this week's episode, we honor a true servant leader in the emergency response field in Central South Dakota. Watching the example of how she lived her life provides many lessons. The legacy she left behind is subtle but powerful, and we can all take something away from her example. Listen and ponder how God calls you to be a faithful servant leader in thi...
150: The Freedom in Surrender
August 09, 2022 09:30 - 30 minutes - 44.1 MBPeople tend to limit God by what we have experienced or seen. We distrust His promises and try to do things our way. We do this with both the big and small things in life. In this episode, guest Melissa Rohlfs shares how if we have faith in the possibilities, we can surrender to God. She shows that it's in that place where we find healing, freedom, and peace. Join us for this meaningful conversation, and you, too, will find freedom in surrender!
149: Believe in the Possibilities
July 26, 2022 09:30 - 7 minutes - 12.9 MBPlans in life often shift. When they do, we can either be disappointed and give up or look expectantly for God's promise to bring good into every situation. In this episode, I talk about two examples of things that went wrong this week, but when all was said and done, both turned out better than I could have imagined. It's a matter of believing in the possibilities and not giving up when things don't work out. God WILL make it even better if we don't give up too soon. Listen and be inspi...
148: Letting Go of Life's Expectations
July 12, 2022 09:30 - 38 minutes - 56.2 MBToo often, our expectations in life turn into disappointments. What if, instead of setting ourselves up to be discouraged, we shifted our focus and lived in expectancy of seeing God everywhere? In this episode, our guest, speaker, author, and coach, Dana Lyons, shares her experiences as she learned to listen and look for God in all things and how letting go of her earthly expectations changed everything. Listen and learn how you can let go and lean into God and all He has to offer you.
147: A Time for Boldness
June 28, 2022 09:30 - 14 minutes - 22.3 MBEmotions are high with the recent historic decision of the Supreme Court. Not only is the nation split on where they stand on the issue of abortion, but Christians are too. In this episode, we discuss the enormous opportunity Christians have to speak in love and support of those affected by past decisions and those who struggle with where they stand on the issue. It is more important than ever that those who support the life of unborn children speak out with kindness and acceptance. Th...
146: Shifting the Focus of Success
June 14, 2022 09:30 - 11 minutes - 16.7 MBTo reach true success in life, seeking the kingdom of heaven should be your primary goal. We are to delight in God's law and meditate on it day and night; only then will we prosper in all we do. But contrary to the world view, we won't avoid failure or challenges. Instead, we learn they are essential to the journey to help us grow in faith and live in His will. Listen to this episode and learn how shifting your focus of success will help you trust God with the outcome and discover how yo...
145: The Love Shift
May 31, 2022 09:30 - 12 minutes - 17.8 MBThe word love is widely overused and often under demonstrated. We love our favorite food, our work, and even the latest hit movie, but we sometimes struggle to love our neighbor as God calls us to. This episode discusses how to show love through our words and actions. To shine God's love into the world, we need to love people even when it's hard. It's the only way some people will ever come to know Jesus, and it's the only way our hurting world will heal.
144: The Tolerance Shift
May 17, 2022 09:30 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBThe definition of tolerance has changed drastically through the years. The attitude that people should celebrate, enable, and promote another person's point of view regardless of whether one agrees is damaging the core of our society by planting seeds of hatred and violence. This episode explores tolerance and how God calls Christians to reevaluate how we view sin and interact with those we might tend to judge. It's a different view of the issue, but it's time to change our perspective and...
143: Is Your Church Leading You Astray?
May 03, 2022 09:30 - 55 minutes - 76.8 MBIn a world where it's hard to know who to trust, we should be able to believe our church. But can we? Scripture warns us about false prophets, but we don't know what we don't know, and it can be easy to fall into the trap of a church that does not follow God's plan. Even though they may profess Jesus and point to the Bible, they may have rules and policies that do not align with God's true plan for His people. In this episode of Longing for More, we have a conversation with a former cu...
142: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
April 19, 2022 09:30 - 9 minutes - 13.8 MBMost people know we can be held in contempt of court if we bear a false witness when witnessing in court. Sadly, few are concerned about bearing false witness about the truth regarding God's Word. Although most Christians own at least one Bible, less than half read it consistently, and fewer still treat it as a source for living their daily lives. It's no secret that the Bible has fallen from favor because it doesn't say what many want it to say. In reality, it shows us how to love as Ch...
141: Shifting Our Focus to God
April 05, 2022 09:30 - 10 minutes - 15.6 MBDo you ever struggle to know God's will for your life? We all do at some point. In this episode, I share how God calls us to shift our focus to Him so we can align with His will. To do so, I read the chapter, The Heart Shift from my book, A Different View: Start Living the Life Your Soul Longs For, because it tells the story of a time when a tragic loss showed me God was stirring my heart and leading me to a new path for my life. Listen and see if God stirs the waters of your soul with t...
141; Shifting Our Focus to God
April 05, 2022 09:30 - 10 minutes - 15.6 MBDo you ever struggle to know God's will for your life? We all do at some point. In this episode, I share how God calls us to shift our focus to Him so we can align with His will. To do so, I read the chapter, The Heart Shift from my book, A Different View: Start Living the Life Your Soul Longs For, because it tells the story of a time when a tragic loss showed me God was stirring my heart and leading me to a new path for my life. Listen and see if God stirs the waters of your soul with t...
140: Do We Trust Too Much?
March 22, 2022 09:30 - 23 minutes - 31.9 MBIn a world where it's difficult to know who to trust, it's alarming how easily we can fall into the trap of scammers. The world is full of people who will take advantage of others, and now, more than ever, we need to use discernment. In today's episode, we learn about a new scam that even the most educated fall for. But it isn't just our money the imposters are after. Sometimes the deceivers are after our very souls. Listen and find out if you, too, trust too much.
139: Where Are You Pretending
March 08, 2022 10:30 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBPlaying make-believe as a child is a beautiful thing. But when we pretend as adults, life can get complicated in a hurry. We always have choices to make, and sometimes it can be a bit blurry as to which choice is the "right" choice when debating two good options. In a world full of fake news, authenticity has become something we look for in the people we associate with both in business and our personal lives. We strive to be our authentic selves, but it's not always easy to do. It's esse...
138: The Clarity Your Soul Longs For
February 22, 2022 10:30 - 7 minutes - 11.2 MBLife doesn't always work out the way we plan. If we get far enough off track, we begin to doubt ourselves and even God. When this happens, we long for clarity. If you're frustrated that life isn't going the way you planned, know that the clarity you receive may not look the way you think it will. Listen to this episode of Longing for More for help finding the lessons, the blessings, and the opportunities God gives during these times. Join the the 'Live Your More Newsletter' to discover ...
137: The Comparison Game
February 08, 2022 10:30 - 28 minutes - 40.4 MBAre you a comparaholic? Do you find it difficult to stop playing the comparison game? Whether you consider yourself competitive or not, you may be in the habit of checking to see how you measure up against others. You may be causing undue pressure by creating expectations of yourself and others that aren't realistic. Join guest Renee Vidor, author of Measuring Up: How to Win in a World of Comparison, and learn to be comfortable with the person God created you to be. It is a powerful conver...
136: The Endless Search for Knowledge
January 25, 2022 10:30 - 8 minutes - 11.8 MBWe can get so wrapped up in our search for knowledge that we can lose sight of God's plan for our lives. This episode discusses this cry for knowledge and how we can accept that we can't know everything, let go of the need to do so, and learn to trust God. This is a crucial step in the Live Your More Process. To find out if you are Living Your More take the FREE quiz at https://bit.ly/livingyourmorequiz.
135: Celebrating A Different View
January 11, 2022 10:30 - 51 minutes - 71 MBWe celebrate notable occasions in our lives all the time. In this episode of Longing for More, we celebrate the successful launch of the book, A Different View: Start Living the Life Your Soul Longs For, with impactful interviews and the premiere release of the compelling book trailer! Join guest host Neil Matthews as he helps author, Vona Johnson, celebrate the launch of this new book. Find out why A Different View has had such a significant impact on people's lives and how you can join t...
134: Are You Living Your More?
December 28, 2021 10:30 - 10 minutes - 14.8 MBThe new year is an excellent time to evaluate where we are in life and make adjustments if we aren't where we want to be. This episode of 'Longing for More' challenges you to evaluate whether you are fully living your faith and trusting God or trying to do life on your terms. Despite what the world tells us, we can find freedom in letting go and trusting God. If you long for a simpler life, it may be time to shift your focus and look at life from a different view. Listen to the episode...
133: The Voices of Peace, Hope, & Joy
December 24, 2021 18:47 - 59 minutes - 82.5 MBIf your soul longs for more peace, hope, and joy, you will want to listen to this special episode of Longing for More where special guests, Yvette Walker, Elizabeth Meyers, and Vona Johnson visit with Jody Howe about these topics. Each guest in this episode has recently released a book that will bring you peace, hope, and joy for the holidays and beyond. We pray you are blessed by this special Christmas episode and will share it with your friends whose souls are longing for more of the mes...
132: A Christmas Prayer
December 14, 2021 10:30 - 7 minutes - 11.6 MBOur search for peace, hope, and joy during the holidays can often get lost in a rush to fit everything in during this season of preparation. This episode of Longing for More offers a short prayer to help you focus on the reason for the season and avoid losing sight of the focus of our celebration, Jesus Christ. Don't let the distractions and disappointments of unfulfilled plans keep you from your true purpose during this holiday season or into the new year. Check the show notes for lin...
131: A Different View of the Season of Advent
November 30, 2021 10:30 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBBelievers love Christmas because it helps us focus on Christ and the incredible gift He is to us. We use Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, to prepare for His coming--both by remembering His birth and looking forward to His return. If that's the case, shouldn't we celebrate every day as Advent? In this episode of Longing for More, I share the last chapter of my new book, A Different View, titled, The Gift of Light. Listen and be inspired to look for Jesus in all aspects of life...
130: Thankful in ALL Things
November 16, 2021 10:30 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MBScripture calls us to be thankful in ALL things. It's easy to be thankful for the good things in our lives. But what about the difficult things? Are we really supposed to be thankful for those too? This episode of Longing for More challenges us to look deeper for the good in all things so that we truly can be thankful in ALL things. All the time. Learn more about A Different View. Are you living your more? Take the Live Your More© quiz to find out.
129: Launching a Legacy of Faith
November 06, 2021 17:07 - 8 minutes - 11.3 MBWhat kind of legacy will you leave? Will you have a positive impact on the people and the places you encounter during your life? Today's episode, the first of the relaunch of Longing for More, dives into why it is important that we think about the impact we are making on the world and how we can be intentional about it. Listen now to learn how you, too, can leave a legacy of faith. Take the Live Your More Quiz! Get the FREE 4-Part Live Your More© Mini-Course Purchase A Different Vi...
128: Life Just Keeps Getting Better!
June 04, 2021 09:30 - 34 minutes - 48.3 MBAs host, Vona Johnson begins a new decade in life; she has much to be grateful for! In this special episode, guest host, coach, and podcaster, Kim Avery, interviews Vona about all the things she is celebrating and why she feels life keeps getting better! Join the two for a fun yet meaningful conversation about how we can find peace in our lives, even amid struggle. Learn how we can find joy in even the worst situations and how God is filling the gaps for us all the time.