In this episode of the I Witness Podcast, we uncover the inspiring story of Stephanie Flohr, an unlikely servant of God who, amidst profound grief, found herself in a dark place, even planning the date she would take her life. Through unwavering courage and a renewed trust in God, listen to how she discovered her true worth and purpose.
Stephanie Flohr is an unlikely missionary, but she follows God’s call anyway. On May 4, 2020, her husband unexpectedly passed away, and her desires, dreams, and goals went along with him.
Stephanie has traveled to a dark place, planning her own time to meet Jesus in heaven, but God had other plans. Through her unique ministry of encouragement and compassion, she spreads the transformative message of Jesus’ love, offering hope to those who need it most.
Stephanie is determined to share her uplifting story of faith, resilience, and obedience to help others come to know their beautiful worth in Jesus.
“I can’t spend a lot of time dwelling on what I am leaving behind, the tears start to flow and the heart hurts. Yes, I will miss so many people. But I know beyond any doubt where the Lord is leading me, allowing me to go and He has a plan and purpose for my life.”
-Stephanie Flohr
Bible Verses for Encouragement
Psalms 147:3, NKJV: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Are you inspired by Stephanie Flohr’sstory but not sure how to reconnect with God in a difficult time?
I have a resource to help you walk with God in your own unique way.
The Stillness Prayer Journal is a printable prayer journal with over 100 customizable pages all dedicated to simplifying your walk with God.
The journal has cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques combined with Bible verses and Christian-based encouragement to guide your time with Him in a simple, thoughtful way.
Stillness Prayer Journal Includes:
A one-page daily journal for simple goal-setting and reflection
In this episode of the I Witness podcast, we explore why it’s so easy to doubt God. We dive into 1 John chapter 5, a scripture that shares the unwavering assurance found in God’s testimony. We explore the challenges believers face in their faith journey with a short story and discuss the eternal promise we have in Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ existence is the physical and spiritual confirmation of God’s testimony.
Jesus is strong in us when we are weak.
Everyone sins and doubts at some point in their lives.
We have assurance through our relationship with Jesus in prayer
We can lean into the assurance provided by God’s testimony of Jesus Christ
Bible Verses for Encouragement
1 John 5: 11-13, NKJV: And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
Matthew 11:28-30: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Resources for You
Do you struggle with doubt and feeling unworthy?
This 7-day devotional takes you through women’s stories of heartbreak, death, disease, and more, with Bible verses to remind you of God’s promises.
You don’t have to earn God’s love. All you have to do is accept it
In a deeply moving episode of the I Witness podcast, K.L. Gilchrist unveils her transformative journey from profound heartache to unwavering faith. As she recounts the tragic loss of her teenage daughter, K.L.’s testament to the sustaining power of faith offers a beacon of hope to everyone navigating life’s storms.
Listen as K.L. shares her story of unwavering faith through loss, heartache, resilience, and the consistent embrace of Jesus, even in her darkest hours.
K.L. Gilchrist is an author of contemporary Christian fiction for women who want to be entertained, challenged, and inspired by true-to-life stories.
A graduate of Temple University and Palmer’s Eastern School of Christian Ministry(ESCM), K.L.’s career as a technical writer led her back to her first love: writing fiction books.
K.L. writes for women who enjoy reading about faith in the midst of life challenges. She lives with her family in suburban Philadelphia, PA, and is known to dance whenever and wherever she can.
– K.L. Gilchrist’s spiritual journey began when she discovered Jesus as an adult. She endured numerous challenges that tested her faith, and her journey from a technical writer to a fiction author showcases her personal and professional evolution.
Impact of the Pandemic and Personal Tragedy
– The mental health repercussions of the pandemic are vast and deeply personal for K.L., with the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter, Jordan. Yet, in such profound grief, her unwavering faith and relationship with Jesus Christ became her sanctuary, offering solace and guidance through the hardest moments.
The Role of Faith in Coping with Loss
K.L. stresses that her unwavering faith and relationship with Jesus are paramount in navigating pain. She emphasizes the necessity of daily prayer and immersing herself in scripture, highlighting the solace and connection they provide. She emphasizes the significance of complete submission to God’s will and the importance of dedicating alone time to foster a deeper relationship with Him.
Recommendations for Nurturing Faith
– For those grappling with grief, K.L. offers practical tips she embraced when walking the arduous journey. She advocates for complete trust in God in all circumstances and suggests getting into the Word of God. The Book of Job and Psalm 22:24 were comforting scripture references for her. Additionally, the book “Holding Onto Hope” by Nancy Guthrie is highlighted as a valuable resource, especially for grieving parents.
Authentic Communication with God
– K.L. promotes genuine and open communication with God, no matter how messy or broken you feel. She believes in being honest with God and talking to Him anytime or anywhere, even in the middle of a J.C. Penny parking lot.
Bible Verses for Encouragement
Psalms 22:24, NKJV “For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.”
The book of Job shows the tremendous losses Job endured and his unwavering faith during trials.
Resources for You
K.L. Gilchrist writes faith-filled stories with wonderful characters. You can find her complete collection on her website.
How far would you go for the wedding of your dreams?
Chablis Shields, a purple-haired Jesus chick with a line dance addiction, is engaged to marry her church’s most eligible young bachelor, John Gerald.
After dodging a drone in an unbelievable proposal, she figures she’ll breeze through six months of planning and celebrations and arrive at the altar Instagram-ready and shining like a black diamond.
But the road to marital bliss grows rocky when she discovers her fiancé is far from being a muscular yet picture-perfect Christian. His financial situation isn’t quite what she counted on, but his solution becomes even more difficult to handle.
And that future mother-in-love?
Well, she isn’t exactly on her side. Meanwhile, trauma from her past complicates her decision-making, and lingering issues from John’s dating history trouble their relationship.
With a tight timeline and a village of loved ones waiting for the big day, Chablis must decide: is she truly ready for a lifetime of sacrifice and commitment?
Engaged is a National Indie Excellence Book Award finalist! The book is available through all major online booksellers. You can also request this novel from your favorite local bookshop.
Can a married couple mend their relationship when past issues threaten to drive them apart?
Tracey and her husband, Dr. Brian Jones, have much to celebrate. They’ve been married for more than twelve years, their son is doing well in college, and a new baby is on the way.
However, small resentments still exist beneath the surface of their relationship.
When Tracey betrays Brian’s trust in order to provide emotional support to a family who helped her in the past, battle lines are drawn in their household. Will Tracey be able to hold on to her marriage and family when her past and present collide?
Holding On is available through all major online booksellers. You can also order this story from your favorite local bookshop.
A healing book for those in the wake of life’s devastating storms.
We can never plan for the unexpected turns of this life that sometimes lead to great personal suffering. Sometimes that suffering can overshadow everything and threaten to pull us under.
Nancy Guthrie knows what it is to be plunged into life’s abyss. Framing her own story of staggering loss and soaring hope with the biblical story of Job, she takes you by the hand and guides you on a pathway through pain―straight to the heart of God.
Holding On to Hope offers an uplifting perspective, not only for those experiencing monumental loss, but for anyone going through difficulty and failure. (Includes an 8-week study on the book of Job for readers who want to dig deeper into what the Bible says about dealing with suffering and grief.)
In this episode of the I Witness podcast, we are honored to have Kathy Brasby share her extraordinary journey of how she found hope in the midst of faith, love, and loss. Kathy navigates the complexities of life’s ups and downs, always steadfastly believing in God. Kathy bears her soul and tackles the challenging questions about God’s role in our suffering. Her narrative takes a painful turn as she recounts her endeavor to understand hope.
For women going through phases of grief and brokenness, Kathy’s story serves as a testament that you are never alone, even in your darkest hours. Tune in for an episode that promises to tug at your heartstrings and offer a glimmer of hope in the face of life’s most challenging moments.
When Kathy was a little girl, her aunt confronted her mother: “Can’t you teach her not to ask so many questions?”
This is Kathy’s worst trait and her best: she is curious. She loves to learn and study.
She’s a former journalist and also has been blogging for a number of years. She published Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope in 2022 with stories about people – modern-day and biblical – who overcame hardships.
Her Christian faith is the foundation of all her work.
Her BA is in English, and she also holds an MA in Theological studies. She lives on a hobby farm in northeast Colorado and has six children and ten grandchildren.
A favorite theme in her stories is overcoming – and some stories are serious.
Connect with Kathy on her website or the following social media channels
Kathy Brasby touches on the power of faith in finding love and companionship, revealing how she met her husband at church after losing his first wife in a tragic accident. Kathy’s story serves as a testament that sometimes, even when we least expect it, new beginnings can unfold in unexpected places.
Opening up about the raw emotions of experiencing a miscarriage, Kathy talks about feeling hollow and wrestling with anger and distance from God. Her journey offers a candid look at the internal turmoil that comes with grief. The difficult feelings she grapples with are a reminder that it’s okay to be angry and to question your faith during times of hardship.
Kathy’s life takes a heart-wrenching turn when her husband becomes seriously ill and eventually passes away. Her experience grappling with this devastating loss while still holding onto her faith offers a glimmer of hope for women navigating their own personal tragedies. Even through intense pain, there can still be room for hope and spiritual connection.
Kathy’s view of God’s love as a relentless and unconditional “waterfall” serves as an uplifting message for women facing grief and brokenness. According to Kathy, God’s love isn’t conditional upon our readiness to accept it. It is ever-present and powerful, waiting for us even when consumed with sorrow or anger. This imagery could be a comforting reminder that you’re never truly alone in your struggles. God’s love is always there, waiting to envelop you when you’re ready to receive it.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Resources for You
We all want hope, but we aren’t sure what it is or even if it can be had. How does one find hope? Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hopeshares stories of people wrestling with hardships. When I asked each, “How did you find hope in these horrendous circumstances?” they told me. Discover with me how these people become overcomers. And how you can too.
In the latest episode of the I Witness Podcast, Kelly Jo dives deep with CJ Milacci into a compelling dialogue about faith, life challenges, and the transformative power of community.
Their candid conversation navigates CJ’s unique life experiences from the Disney college program to her spiritual immersion in Italy, shedding light on the significant role of faith in shaping her responses to life’s twists and turns.
A dark time had CJ questioning her purpose. She discusses how she battled loneliness and a loss of direction that caused her to drop to her knees.
Listen to Part 1 here
IW EP008 CJ Milacci Part 1
Listen to Part 2 here
Meet CJ Milacci
CJ writes stories for teens and young adults with heart-pounding action and hope. As a referee, she’s always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She’s passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope amid seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance.
CJ’s story touches on many different themes, such as overcoming isolation, the reality of faith in dark times, and being honest with God during life’s greatest challenges. Kelly and CJ offer insights into the blend of personal journeys.
The top takeaways that really encompass the themes of the podcast discussion between Kelly and CJ are:
Incorporating Faith into Everyday Challenges: Both Kelly and CJ discuss how their faith has been a guiding force in their lives. Whether it’s confronting isolation or handling the life challenges of unfamiliar emotions, CJ Milacci shares how faith plays a pivotal role in shaping her decisions. Their experiences emphasize the significance of faith in everyday life, not just during profound spiritual moments.
Community and Connection: The podcast highlights the importance of a religious community and the human need for connection. CJ’s contrasting experiences at Disney College and in Italy underline the significance of spiritual fellowship. Fellowship grounds and broadens experiences.
Empathy and Vulnerability: CJ’s interactions with young people from various backgrounds showcase the need for understanding and empathy. CJ discusses how the differences in upbringing and experiences of others shed light on the power of genuine connection.
God’s Guidance through Life Transitions: Kelly and CJ touch upon surrendering to God’s plan, even during life’s challenges. CJ’s shift from direct youth ministry to writing emphasizes God’s role in guiding individuals through various phases of life. CJ’s personal challenges have made a broader impact, and the same can happen for us.
Addressing Young Adult Issues: CJ gives a raw account of the issues facing young adults today, many fearing judgment and being shunned by the church if they share what’s truly on their hearts.
Struggling With Doubts: CJ shares how most of us struggle with doubt and question God. Thus, the enemy tries to isolate us, but she encourages us to reach out and talk about what’s happening in our lives. It’s okay to tell our problems to God, no matter how awful.
You’re not alone.
Bible Verses for Encouragement
Galatians 3:28, NKJV: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Luke 12:7: “But the very hairs on your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Psalms 139:14: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”
2 Corinthians 12:9: “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Resources for You
Check out CJ Milacci’s two-time, award-winning book Recruit of Talionis.
“Forget where you came from. Forget the life you knew. You are now recruits of Talionis!”
America has fallen.
Seventeen-year-old Bria Averton grew up in a small town of survivors near the ruins of Portland, Maine. It’s all she’s ever known — until she’s kidnapped along with hundreds of other teens and brought to the city of Talionis. A city no one knew existed.
The soldiers tell them the intense trainings are for the good of the survivors, and Bria resists being forced into a new life as a recruited soldier. But she soon finds the dangers in the city are greater than she imagined.
Escape is impossible, and Bria fears drowning in the evil of the city… and the guilt from her own past. But can she find hope, even here?
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