Hope Along The Journey

You will enjoy the remarkable story of the eight Cammileri Sisters and how God is using their music to bless the hearts of thousands. They never dreamed that God would take their music and use it the way He has in the last few years. Their songs and testimonies exalt Jesus Christ, showing Him to be the hope of the world!

Matt and Joy share a grace-filled testimony of how God supported and took care of them during a serious auto accident and battle with cancer. Through it all, God has shown Himself to be faithful and true.

Pastor Jay Kim shares important insights from Paul's letter to the Colossians and how this letter stresses the tremendous importance of understanding who Jesus Christ truly is. He is the author of a 40-day study on the book of Colossians that shares the message of unity among the followers of Christ; a message of thanksgiving and spiritual fullness in a broken world; a message that shows us how to live as the people who are made alive in the one true Christ.

God wants to do a new thing in your life this New Year. Please listen as Mark Cravens shares from Isaiah 43 how God longs to do a new thing in your life. We must remember the greatness of our God, refuse to live in the past, recapture God's promise to do a new thing, and rest and rejoice in God's power to bring it to pass!

Author and licensed family and parent education, Lori Wildenberg, shares how life changes when our children grow up and leave home. Holidays are especially impacted, and if we are unable to adjust, it can create drama and problems for our children and their families. Together, Lori and I share some observations and practical ways of dealing with the "empty nest".

Laurie Christine is an author, podcast host, certified Biblical Parenting Coach,  wife, and mom of four wild, loud, adventurous boys. Her podcast, Redeeming the Chaos, invites moms of boys to join her on the wild, wonderful adventure of raising courageous boys and connecting them with Christ.  In addition to hosting a podcast, Laurie writes devotions and Bible stories for families. Her new devotional book for pre-teen boys, Rise of the Enemy—Book One in the Dragon Slayer Bible Series, was released on Amazon on November 2nd.  

Though raised in church, Paul strayed from the God of his childhood and wandered into a life of drugs and alcohol for years.  This led him to a life of theft and imprisonment. Then, in 1977, he found Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Later, the Lord led Paul to start a ministry called “We Care”, and “We Care Recovery Home” for women. Today, he leads a life-changing ministry called "One80 Recovery Resources" which is ministering to men, seeking recovery.

Though raised under wonderful Christian influences, Michael drifted away from God as he pursued the American Dream and lived the "good life". Then, without warning, his entire life was turned upside down upon receiving the news that he had stage four cancer. Michale shares how this "wake-up" call in his life caused him to turn his life around and pursue a life lived for God.

Lonely and bullied as a student while in school, Jonathan Arnold's life was filled with hopelessness and despair. Then, through the providence and grace of God, he began reading the Bible, discovering the way of faith in Jesus Christ. Not only was he released from hopelessness and despair, but Jesus Christ enabled him to break the stranglehold of pornography addiction. Today, he is a church pastor and the founder and president of Holy Joys.

Heartaches will come to all of us in life. In this episode, author and writer, Julie Sunne, shares the many heartaches that came her way, and how God relentlessly pursued her and drew her to himself. Though she endured five miscarriages and one precious, special needs daughter, she was able to find peace and joy, learning to trust God's faithfulness through it all.

Lori Wildenberg is passionate about helping families build connections that last a lifetime. As a licensed parent-family educator she is professionally equipped to encourage and empower moms and dads to become the parents their children need. She is the author of The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections and Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home. Lori co-founded the 1st Corinthians 13 Parenting Ministry, a resource site for parents and those who work with families. She's the lead mentor mom at Moms Together Facebook Community and a freelance writer for Christian parenting magazines.

Special Fathers Day Edition. Dr. Mike Avery shares a powerful message on how much a father impacts a child's image and understanding of God. He respectfully, yet transparently, shares how his own father impacted many of his misconceptions of God.

Do you understand the "big picture" in your child's education? Listen as Peggy McMillan, former homeschool mom, shares important insights for all parents who desire to provide their children with a Christian, biblical worldview. Her emphasis is on educating your child with a purpose and mission in mind. What do you want your child to know by age 18? What resources do you need to incorporate to insure you reach the goals you have for your children? These and other important topics are discussed in this podcast interview.

Chaplain Don Davison shares with us three important "rules for the road" when it comes to listening. We discuss the importance of listening and how to implement these important rules are for becoming a good listener.

Award-winning author and international speaker, Karen Whiting, shares the challenges, joys, and struggles associated with being a mother on this special Moter's Day edition.

The battle of the mind is one of the greatest battles each of us deals with in life. Numerous thoughts each day pass through our minds - some of them are true and many are lies. So many people are held captive in life by "stink'n think'n" that is contrary to God's word. What are the lies we believe and the truths we need to replace them with?

Chuck Chapman discusses his new book, It is Written, A Field Guide to Spiritual Warfare, and the importance of recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare in our lives. Chuck provides insight into how we are to confront the attack of Satan in our lives and the incredible importance of the word of God - "It Is Written"!

For eighteen years Karis Meier has battled with ongoing pain and illness. Through her suffering, God has taught her to find "Peaceful Expectation" in the midst of it. Instead of separating her from God, it has only drawn her closer to him because of her daily, desperate need for His help and presence. Find her wonderful book, Suffering Redeemed, on Amazon.

Have you secretly ever felt like walking away from it all? Have you ever been to a place in your journey where it seemed like hope had evaporated and your faith was left holding on by a mere thread? Maybe, that's where you are now. Much like the two disciples on the Emmaus Road, you are wrestling with unresolved questions, perplexing circumstances, and a pang of aching sadness in your soul. If so, then this podcast is for you or for someone you know who needs to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus.

Monte Stetler and Mark Cravens share the incredible impact that David Brook's book, The Second Mountain, had on their lives and the insights they gained from it. In his book, Brook uses the metaphor of the mountain to illustrate the difference between our early-life pursuits that too often revolve around achievements and status and what should mark our second-mountain. Life, marriage, vocation, and relationships are all discussed in this podcast.

When a senior in high school, Heather's mother was diagnosed with brain cancer, resulting in Heather's faith to be put through the fire.  On the outside, hardly anyone was able to detect that her inner world was collapsing. However, over the next few years, God took her on an unforgettable faith-building journey, moving from a life of doubt and confusion to one of renewed hope in God.

Raised in the projects of Chicago, Nancy was raised in a highly dysfunctional family.  In her later teen years, alcohol and drugs became a way of life. Even though she attended church and was baptized as a young child, she drifted away from the faith of her childhood, running further and further from God.  But through the years - years filled with alcohol, drugs, abuse, and incarceration, God never quit pursuing her.  Listen as Nancy shares how God has transformed her life into the woman she is today. 

In this episode, I share an enjoyable conversation with two Gen Z's and one Millenial who were privileged to visit Asbury College during the recent revival. Zach, Darya, and Allysa share how being in attendance strengthened their faith and how the spirit of revival continues to impact their lives, afterward.

It is estimated that 80% of those who put their faith in Christ will walk away from faithfulness to Christ within a short period of time.  Grant Edwards believes that the answer to this epidemic is to quickly start discipling these new believers and get them grounded in the faith.  Grant is the founder of Discipling Another, and the author of First Steps Conversations,  a one-on-one discipleship method that focuses on the first three months following conversion. It is also helpful for older Christians who have not been through foundational discipleship.  

In this episode, Marilyn Muir shares her year-long journey through cancer treatment, and how Jesus walked with her. Without hesitation, she shares how this journey was not all about her, but about Jesus Christ who led her every step of the way, answering prayers and opening doors she could have never opened on her own. 

Tim and Becky Keep share the remarkable story of how their wayward daughter ultimately found he way back to God. With honesty and transparency, they share how, despite their pain, they were able to find the great heart of God.  A remarkable story of answered prayer and redemption.

Do you long for a more intimate and meaningful life of prayer?  If so, listen as Charolette Frederick and I share a conversation about her life of prayer and the disciplines and practices she has put into place to create intimacy with God.

Author, Bible Teacher, and podcaster, Jodie Niznik, shares her personal journey toward developing a meaningful prayer life.  Believing that God has so much more for all of us, she stresses that it will not take place unless we make adequate space for God in our lives.  Together, we discuss the relational aspect of prayer and how to use Scripture meditation in prayer.  

Do you struggle to have a praying life? Why is it that it is often so hard to pray or to keep a consistent prayer life going? Do you long to have such a life of prayer, but seem to always be failing?  In this episode, Mark shares with us eight reasons why he believes we often struggle to have a prayer life, offering insight into these reasons that often hinder us.

Raised in a broken and dysfunctional home, God's grace intervened in Jon's life.  In spite of poverty, tragedy, and loss as a child and youth, he found Christ as his Savior.  Jon also shares about the influences that God brought into his life and how those influences enabled him to become the man he is today. 

Pastor, Nick Jaymes, shares about his recent, overseas mission trip with The Timothy Initiative.  Nick not only shares the vision of passion of The Timothy Initiative but how this mission trip impacted his life and ministry.  Listen and catch the vision of reaching the unreached people groups with the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Three billion people still lack access to the gospel, but there is hope!

Podcast host, Mark Cravens, wants to encourage you not to cast aside your confident trust in the Lord - no matter what is happening in your life!  He shares a number of things that may come our way in life that may challenge our confident trust in God, but, regardless, we need to walk by faith, realizing that God has strength and hope for us along life's journey.   Please take a few moments to send me an email at hopealongthejourney@gmail.com.

Brian set out on a mission to disprove everything that his Christian relatives believed in.  He read everything he could get his hands on, but then finally turned to Bible. Once he got to the Gospels, his life was never to be the same as he encountered the story of Jesus, the Son of God.  Thinking he would become an agnostic or an atheist, instead, he became convinced of the validity of the Christian Faith.  By God's grace, he was set free from the powerful addiction that had enslaved him and a new desire was given him to fully commit his life to Jesus Christ!

Life Coach, Rebecca Woods, shares about her new ministry for that 50 plus of age.  However, listeners of all ages will benefit from what she has to share about the challenges they face and opportunities that need to be discovered.  There is a great segment on Grief and Loss that is also very insightful.  Share this with others who would benefit from it as well!  Below is a link to her website and how to contact Rebecca. 

Are you currently going through a storm in your life?  Do the trials and heartaches of life feel overwhelming and impossible?  Do doubts seem to be overtaking you while hope appears to be ebbing away?  If so, then today's episode of Hope Along the Journey is for you!  Today, Mark shares from Matthew 14 the story of Jesus rescuing his disciples during a life-threatening storm and how it applies to each of our lives. 

With October being Pastor Appreciation Month, I've invited Pastor John Manley to discuss the negative and positive aspects of ministry, especially pastoral ministry,  John has been in pastoral ministry for nearly 30 years, and has a great love for people and for the ministry. 

Catherine is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and host of Christian Parent/Crazy World, a Life Audio podcast about raising Godly kids in an ungodly world.  In this episode, she shares about her miscarriage and how God brought them hope after such a devastating loss.  Catherine will also share several important steps to take that may enable us to find hope and redemption after loss. 

Danny Watters was formerly an alcoholic and drug addict whose life was spiraling downward.  Then Jesus Christ not only broke the power of the addiction in his life but ultimately brought him salvation - the greatest deliverance of all!  While in a coma from a motorcycle accident, Danny felt himself slipping into hell until the voice of Jesus said, "Take my hand and run the race I have for you."  From that day forward, his life has never been the same!  Today, he and his wife, Martha, lead a Celebrate Recovery ministry. 

Do you ever feel like you need a "spiritual reset"?  Then listen as Will Sprunt and Daniel Becerra share their testimonies of God's redemptive and restoration "reset" in their lives and about an exciting and transformative ministry they are leading with the men of their church called "RESETS". 

Anxiety is an issue that a number of people deal with in their lives. For some, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issue that may need medical treatment. But for many, anxiety is an emotion that all of us have to deal with at times and there are steps we can take to help us overcome it. Listen as Christian Counselor, Ruth Darland, shares her insight on how to deal with anxiety in our lives.

As a child, Kristin's childhood was filled with pain and loneliness. Searching and hungering for a family, she became very close to a family that had an unhealthy family secret, a secret that she would sadly come to know.  After two years of sexual abuse, Krisin't life continued to spiral downward and further abuse would become part of her heartbreaking story.  Trying to numb all the pain in her life, she plunged into a life of drugs and alcohol. Thankfully, Kristin came to know Christ and his transforming power at work in her life. Today, she is a Christian counselor who has a heart and passion to share with others the truth that God is a restorative God!

What do you see when you see others in need?  Too often, I fear that we only see the things that displease or disappoint us rather than seeing the hurt and hopelessness that grips the lives of so many. The unforgettable parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that what we see when we look at those God places in our pathway, we can either move on with apathy and indifference or become involved by showing love and mercy.

In her fifties, Carolyn completely lost her sight. However, in spite of the initial sadness and grief associated with losing her sight, she was able to learn how to live life with meaning and purpose, overcoming the paralyzing fears that threatened to hold her life in bondage. God prompted her to begin writing devotionals to encourage others to trust in God's faithfulness in spite of life's setbacks and struggles. Today, Carolyn is a Christian author, teacher, and speaker whose life is filled with joy and purpose. 

In 2011, Wendy Wallace contracted necrotizing fasciitis which put her in a coma. As the disease progressed, both her hands and feet had to be amputated in order to save her life. As a quadruple amputee, Wendy's life as a wife and mother would never be the same. But life was far from over for Wendy! Because of the wonderful grace of God and the prayers and support of family and friends, today she is enjoying a rich and full life. In her blog, One Exceptional Life, Wendy shares her beautiful story of God's grace and is reaching out to minister to others who are in need of hope and encouragement.