Reflecting Light with April Rodgers

This Moment to Breathe is brought to you by my new devotional guide, Resting in Jesus: A 30-Day Walk with Mary and Martha. Visit aprilrodgers.com to purchase your copy today.

Being married is fun! As we get to know each other as a married couple, we must remember to grow in our intimacy with God. When we find our full satisfaction in Him, it's then that we can have a marriage that thrives! Visit: https://aprilrodgers.com Follow: https://www.instagram.com/april_rodgers_ Like: https://www.facebook.com/reflectinglightbyaprilrodgers

Want to know how to win in life? Run that race that is unique to you and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Visit: https://aprilrodgers.com Follow: https://www.instagram.com/april_rodgers_ Like: https://www.facebook.com/reflectinglightbyaprilrodgers

When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, He had a choice to make. Would He take the cup of suffering and be crushed unto the point of death or would He allow the cup pass from Him? Join April Rodgers for this special Easter devotional.

Are you a believer in Jesus who longs to get in God's word and know more? Join April Rodgers, Katy Bolls, and Leslie Lamb in this honest conversation about how you can start diving into the scripture of the Bible and strengthening your relationship with God. The Reflecting Light Roundtable was created with YOU in mind--we hope to empower, strengthen, and disciple those looking to dive deeper into their personal relationship with the Lord. #aprilrodgers #katybolls #leslielamb #missionstatements #reflectinglightroundtable #walkwithGod #deeper #deeperfaith #reflections #purpose #heartofthefather #godsword #reflectinglight #reflectinglightshow #aprilrodgers #hope #subscribe #youtuber #youtubechannel #womeninmedia #christianity #christianauthor #vlogger #shareyourstory #trueidentity #madetoshine #scripture #bible #empoweringwomen #christianwomen

In this candid conversation, April Rodgers and Ty Shirey discuss how simply taking a step can completely change the trajectory of your life in both a spiritual and physical way. When asked how he lost 170 pounds, Ty simply responds with, “I went on a walk.” After making that a daily habit, coupled with reading God's Word, Ty was able to make strides in becoming the best version of himself. What next step is God prompting you to make? Take that step!

Have you ever experienced true love in your lifetime? God reciprocates our love for Him with this promise: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Are you a believer in Jesus who longs to go deeper in your walk with Him? Join April Rodgers, Katy Bolls, and Leslie Lamb in this honest conversation about how you can start to have a rich and meaningful relationship with the Lord. The Reflecting Light Roundtable was created with YOU in mind--we hope to empower, strengthen, and disciple those looking to dive deeper into their personal relationship with the Lord. #aprilrodgers #katybolls #leslielamb #missionstatements #reflectinglightroundtable #walkwithGod #deeper #deeperfaith #reflections #purpose #heartofthefather #godsword #reflectinglight #reflectinglightshow #aprilrodgers #hope #subscribe #youtuber #youtubechannel #womeninmedia #christianity #christianauthor #vlogger #shareyourstory #trueidentity #madetoshine

Patricia Cameron is an overcomer in the truest sense of the word. After losing multiple family members, she clung to God and her community. Patrica felt the Lord calling her to write out her story, and because of the act of obedience, she was able to find a deep rooted joy that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilRodgersReflectingLight Listen: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reflecting-light-with-april-rodgers/id1588261934 Visit: https://aprilrodgers.com Follow: https://www.instagram.com/april_rodgers_ Like: https://www.facebook.com/reflectinglightbyaprilrodgers

God never said that you would live a life filled with only rainbows and sunshine, but what He DID say is that you can take heart - even when He calls you to do hard things - because HE has overcome the world! So, the next time you are faced with having to do hard things, take heart!

Lisa Boullt shares with us how to let go of weight that we were never meant to carry. After the loss of her sister, Andrea, Lisa felt herself carrying the weight of grief and pain until finally she learned how to shed that weight and become the healthiest version of herself. Thank You to The Jeremy Barnhill Foundation for Christian Teens for helping to shine the light on this week's episode! The Jeremy Barnhill Foundation exists to connect the next generation with God. They do this by sponsoring youth to attend a specific event that focuses on growing their relationship with Christ, such as a Christian camp or mission trip. You can connect with The Jeremy Barnhill Foundation on Facebook or Instagram. Visit: https://aprilrodgers.com Follow: https://www.instagram.com/rodgersapril Like: https://www.facebook.com/reflectinglightbyaprilrodgers

Self care is important, but we can't forget to take care of our souls as well as our physical bodies. King David tells us, "You will make known to me the path of life. In Your presence there is fullness of joy." (Psalm 16:11) If we want our souls to be full of joy, we must seek out His presence. For more more enLIGHTenment from April Rodgers: Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilRodgersReflectingLight Visit: https://aprilrodgers.com Follow: https://www.instagram.com/april_rodgers_ Like: https://www.facebook.com/reflectinglightbyaprilrodgers

Debbie Bright-Chunn and Nikki Murphy were both educators who followed their dream of owning a horse ranch that could provide equine assisted activities for individuals with special needs. Thus Bright Star Ranch was launched four years ago and today they not only work with children who have special needs, but also branched out to provide a program to help children overcome various mental health issues. After listening to this interview, you will fall in love with the beauty of God's creation of horses…and you'll most likely fall in love with these two women and their beautiful hearts! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ When we simply acknowledge another human being and truly see them for who they are on the inside, it can make a difference in their lives and allow them to flourish. Doing so also holds a blessing for us. ️ Working with a therapy horse can help in areas such as depression, anxiety, long-term illness, and PTSD. Horses can teach trust, communication, healthy relationships and boundaries. It's also a fun way to work through these issues because it doesn't seem like “work.” ️ Horses are mirror animals and can be used to talk about how we rate ourselves. The goal is to raise self-awareness as well as self-esteem. ️ Horse riding provides a visual example of being able to guide both the horse and ourselves down a certain path. This serves as a reminder that we can also guide ourselves down a path of Light and that God gives us the strength to do so. ️ Just as the horse and the rider must exhibit trust in each other, we too must trust God if want to reflect His Light. As we develop our relationship with God, He will prove Himself trustworthy because He is faithful. About Our Guests: Debbie Bright-Chunn earned her Master's in Health Informatics from Louisiana Tech University and worked for 30 years in the hospital field, serving as Health Information Director for 20 years. Her love for horses and therapeutic riding caused her to open a facility in 2018 after she became certified through PATH and CHA. She states, "This job is by far the most rewarding I have ever had and has been my vision for many years." Nikki Murphy graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor's degree in Family & Child Services & a minor in Psychology in 2003. In 2004, she graduated from ULM in Monroe, Louisiana, with a Master's in Special Education and later added a certification in Early Childhood Education. As a former special education teacher of over 12 years, she has worked with individuals and a wide variety of disabilities. She brings that knowledge and love for helping others to our team. She says that, “Combining my love of horses & working with individuals with special needs makes this my absolute dream job.” Bright Star Ranch is a 501(c)3 non profit ministry which means that you can make a tax-deductible gift to further this amazing ministry! Visit them at https://www.brightstarranch.net/donate today.

Jeff and Libby Landry of Landry Vineyards understand that in order to produce quality wine there must first be strong work ethic. Come enjoy this conversation of how winemaking can relate to our spiritual lives and provide us with both joy and humility. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ A strong work ethic is important for small family farming as well as our everyday lives in order to produce a quality result. ️ Mistakes in relationships are inevitable, but asking for forgiveness is key. Just as God forgave us we can also forgive and receive forgiveness from others. ️ Uncertainty comes with starting a new endeavor, but when we pray for God's will to be done, we can walk forward in confidence knowing that He will direct our steps. ️ From a spiritual perspective, it is vital for us to be connected to the Vine in order to produce good fruit in our lives. Pruning removes our dead parts so that we can truly abide in God. ️ Wine is a living drink just as the blood of Christ is alive in us who are believers. About Our Guest: Jeff and Libby Landry are the owners of Landry Vineyards in West Monroe, Louisiana. Landry Vineyards was established in 1999 in Folsom, Louisiana by Jeff, Libby, and their four sons: Ethan, Kohen, Noah, and Micah along with the loving labor of family and friends. Visit them at landryvineyards.com to plan your next wine tasting.

From a young age, Trace Mayo was marked by Jesus for a life of evangelism. Even though life hasn't always been easy for him, Trace never doubted that God is real and he wants everyone he meets to know the miracle of salvation. You will thoroughly enjoy this conversation of how to boldly share the love of Christ. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Shame keeps us isolated, but oftentimes God has to reveal things to heal things. Two things that can foster healing are recognizing the truth of God's Word and getting professional help when needed. ️ Receiving freedom is like having a check that has been put in our pocket and all we have to do is take it to the bank and cash it. However, with freedom comes a choice. We now must choose to live by the Spirit and not by our flesh. ️ Because we are coheirs with Christ, we have a seat at God's table. We should not allow our feelings of unworthiness or even self-righteousness to keep us from taking our seat. ️ We can use whatever occupation/situation God has us in to share our faith. However, most people don't share their faith because they don't want to be rejected. Pray for a boldness to talk about Jesus with others. ️ There is a difference between loving Jesus and “falling in love” with Jesus. If we are in love with someone, we can't help but talk about them. If we are in love with Jesus, then we will undoubtably talk about Him with others. About Our Guest: Trace Mayo is a barber at Rumo's in West Monroe and is well known for his willingness to use his occupation as an opportunity to share about Jesus. He is 100% sold out for God and he can't NOT talk about Him. You can typically find Trace using his gifts inside the Christ Church youth and 99ONE ministries, or simply taking a friend to lunch to talk about the miracle of salvation. You can follow Trace on Instagram @tracemayo.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and who better to interview than a breast cancer survivor? Michelle Foster shares her story of how the Lord walked beside her in her darkest moments and ultimately healed her of breast cancer. However, Michelle also contributes a positive attitude as the catalyst in her journey to healing. If you or a loved one is currently battling cancer, there is hope and light. You are not alone. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Attitude is 99% of our battle. With a good attitude we can face the challenges that lie before us and be a blessing to those around us. ️ A good support system is necessary to get through life's toughest challenges. Taking a friend to a doctor's appointment can help comfort us and get us through the mental anguish that sometimes follows. ️ Keeping a journal through cancer treatments provides a way to keep God at the center and will help bring peace. Write it all down…prayers, hopes, fears, blood work results, etc. Then go back and write “answered” over the requests that God answered. ️ Prayer is often underestimated, but it can change everything! Find some praying friends and be honest about the hard days. We can combat fear by keeping ourselves busy and continuing with our prayer and positive attitude. ️ Don't ignore your body and get your mammogram!

Jill Dasher, author of the book SHALLOW, gives great advice of how to stop living as a shallow human being and replace it with a life of security and freedom. Jill also shares with us the story of how after years of desiring to adopt a baby, the Lord answered her prayer with an unlikely text and quite literally laid a baby on her family's doorstep. It is a great reminder of how there is beauty in the waiting. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ When we use our everyday life activities to glorify God, it not only blesses our lives but also helps us to relate to others right where they are. Sharing God's story through our lives is the best way to point others to Christ. ️ Those that struggle with perfectionism can develop a habit of covering and hiding the real parts of their lives in hopes that others will view them as “perfect.” We have to be willing to let God show us our imperfections so that we can live in freedom. ️ God is always leading us into the light, but we can choose to keep our blinders on. Asking God to allow us to see our areas of darkness changes us so that we can be different. ️ When we believe the truth that God speaks into our lives (even if it's painful), it leads us to a life of less anxiety and more joy. It's then that we can be transformed more into His image. However, it starts with us listening to the voice of truth. ️ Starting over with an adoption later in life can be the biggest blessing, especially if we're able to witness older children accepting their new sibling. It is a true picture of God's love. About Our Guest: Jill Dasher is the author of the brand-new book SHALLOW, drowning in the shallow end of people's approval. She is a writer and Christian speaker who is passionate about sharing the freedom that exists when you refuse to live in hiding & freely submit all of your fears, flaws, & failures to the God who made you. She resides in the mountains of NC with her husband and five children. Visit her website at jilldasher.com to order Shallow. Use code SHALLOW25 to get 25% off!

DeRon Talley knows a thing or two about being thrown significant curve balls in life. After college graduation, he had his plans in place and was ready to make his mark on the world. Yet through a series of curve balls and some unwise decisions, DeRon found himself at a literal crossroad and would have to decide if he would lay down his pride in order to walk upon the path of light and love. Come join us for this truly amazing story of how to trust God even when you can't trace Him in the moment. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ What we view as a curve ball in our plans can actually be God's way of moving us in a new direction. ️ Worshipping God in an unfamiliar place helps us to know that God is still with us wherever we go. No matter where we are mentally, emotionally, or spiritually He is there. ️ Even when we can't trace God, we can still trust Him. God will be faithful to show us remnants of hope and light. ️ God's hand, coupled with the prayers of others, can provide protection over us, even while making bad decisions. However, it honors Him when we realize His love for us and return to His path of light. ️ God is never lost and He is with us through every valley. When we lay down our pride/ego and allow Him to pave our way, it's then that we can find our purpose. About Our Guest: DeRon was born and raised in Folsom, Louisiana, and is a 2019 graduate of the Louisiana State University-Shreveport University (LSU-Shreveport) with a Master of Business Administration - Marketing, and a 2012 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, where he ran track for two years. DeRon is the owner of Key Marketing Solutions, and he is also a pastor and podcaster. He is married to Patience Talley and they have both a daughter and a son.

Jayme Stokes views her job as a Principal of Ouachita Christian School as both a calling and a ministry. With over 30 years in education, Jayme has a wealth of knowledge of how we can prepare our children for time and eternity. No stranger to pain, Jayme has experienced many challenges and endured much loss, yet she has allowed it to teach her to live with intentionality and lean on her faithful God. That is why her favorite hashtag is #teachmetonumbermydays! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ There is hope for parents who feel as if they have “messed up” with their children because God is working to make it part of their story for the Kingdom. When we willfully give our children to God, He will work it out for their good. ️ Look for the fingerprints of God. Not every situation is good, but what God will bring out of our lives will be good if we allow Him to heal us. ️ It is healthy for our children to struggle with the question of “is God real?” Keeping an open dialogue with them will allow them to come back to God when something falls apart in their world. ️ Everything that passes through our lives has already passed through God's hands and He is equipping us for it. Reading the Psalms gives us perspective on every facet of our lives, including anxiety and depression. ️ Our children want us to be a safe place for them. Letting them unload their emotions/feelings to us helps free them from their worries. About Our Guest: Jayme Stokes is married to Bobby (aka “Big Bob”) and together they have four children and nine grandchildren. She holds multiple degrees in education and currently serves as the Principal at Ouachita Christian School as well as a dual enrollment and online psychology instructor. Jayme enjoys reading, growing heirloom roses, and travel. You can follow her blog at www.shelteredingrace.com

There's never been a better time to be a girl in today's world or a to be a mom raising girls! Even though this generation has its share of challenges, young girls who find their identity in Christ will eventually find their purpose in this world. Amy Cate Smith and Lindsey Reed Curl give us great insight on how to minister to today's girl. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ We serve a God who is personable and seeks to partner with us to promote the Gospel to others. Be listening and He will speak. ️ Losing a loved one at a young age can result in a season of darkness, but with a child-like faith, we can allow the Father to shield and protect us. He is a perfect Daddy. ️ When we meet Jesus, He shows us our sin and pours out His mercy with tenderness. God never fails us. ️ We must be aware that there is an enemy who is pursuing us even as we are pursuing God. We have to know his tactics and stand on the Word of God. ️ Ministering to girls requires understanding their feelings. The goal is to teach her that her identity is in Christ and help her discover her purpose is in the world. About Our Guests: Amy Cate Smith and Lindsey Reed Curl are owners of the ministry Girl Talk, a Christ-centered community for girls and moms. Based out of Alabama, Girl Talk serves over sixteen communities and is now offering online Bible studies for middle school to high school ages. You can find Girl Talk at girltalkministries.info or on Instagram @girltalkministies_

Shantray Smith is a beautiful, professional woman who is full of amazing wisdom on how we can see ourselves as God sees us. After taking a good long look in the mirror, Shantray was able to forgive herself and begin the journey to healing and freedom. Now she views her life as a blessing that is less about herself, but more about how she can glorify the Lord. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Trauma can be the catalyst for resiliency and the desire for a better life. ️ If we have a true relationship with the Lord, we are allowed to have a question-based conversation with Him. Doing so allows Him to reveal the root of what may be holding us back from a life of freedom. ️ We can't change the past, but we can shift our perspective and change how we see it and how we view ourselves. ️ Forgiveness often begins with the hard work of forgiving ourselves. Forgiveness is something that the enemy can not counterfeit. ️ Our redemption story often requires us looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves as God sees us. We have to be willing to love ourselves if we are going to love others. About Our Guest: Shantray Smith is the Director of Counseling Services at Mercy Multiplied CWC and a graduate of University of Louisiana at Monroe. In addition to being a licensed professional counselor, Shantray is a daughter of the King and a minister of the gospel. She and her husband, Jonathan, live in Monroe, Louisiana.

Steven Keirsey is passionate about helping the next generation find their voice by pointing them to the Voice of Truth. After a long season of timidity, Steven was able to step into the light and fulfill his calling as a student minister. No matter if you are the parent of a teenager or a teenager yourself, you will be encouraged by Steven's insight on how to connect with and pray for America's youth. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Sharing our stories is a powerful and unique way to promote the gospel. If we are willing to testify to God's faithfulness, then we can reach others for the sake of Christ. ️ Timidity can lead to insecurity and self-depreciation, which is actually a form of selfishness. Light defeats the darkness and can allow us to find our voice and let go of our fear. ️ Moments of submission can lead to our greatest rescue…if we are willing to follow the voice of truth. ️ For today's youth, most of their communication is done digitally. We are wise to learn how to connect to their world, finding creative ways to use technology to promote the truth of God's Word. ️ Living authentic lives in front of our teenagers is the best thing that we can do to point them to Jesus. We need to let them see us having a real and raw relationship with Christ. About Our Guest: Steven Keirsey is the North Monroe Student Pastor. He is a North Louisiana native having been born in Monroe, raised in West Monroe, and attaining his B.L.A at Louisiana Tech in Ruston. He brings 7 years of camp/ministry experience to the table as well as 7 years of staff experience at North Monroe. Formerly, he worked as the Associate Summer Camp Director at Seeker Springs as well as holding many other positions there. Now a part of the North Monroe family, he serves the student ministry to help develop a sense of belonging and leading bible studies to help them become more like Christ. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

After receiving the diagnosis that her son, Jey, was autistic, Jan never gave up praying that she would one day hear her son speak. After years of consistent and desperate prayer, Jan and her husband experienced a modern day miracle when Jey spoke his first full sentence at 4 1/2 years old. You will be encouraged by this touching story of a mother's faithfulness to pray until the Light broke through! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ God has an interesting way of preparing us for what is to come. He gives us confirmations that allow us to prepare our hearts and minds for the future. ️ Comparison is a trap that every new mom must overcome, regardless of developmental delays. ️ God places friendships in our lives to give us the courage to seek help/diagnosis when the time is right. ️ When we pray without ceasing for our children, we can have the confidence that God hears our prayers. ️ We can be a blessing to others who are walking a similar path as us and shine the light that God has given us. That is what community is all about! About Our Guest: Jan is from Rayville, Louisiana. She is married to Josh and they have 2 children – Jey (7 years old) and Evy (4 years old) and an American Brittany dog named Belle. Jan owns an Interior Decorating / Home Design Company- Strickland Interiors where she decorates, remodels, and makes selections for new construction homes in Northeast Louisiana. She has been the lead designer for the Monroe, Louisiana St. Jude Dream Homes for the past 5 years and is now about to start on her 6th home as lead designer. On a personal level, Jan and Josh became very involved in the local Autism Society of North Louisiana and helped to get a bill passed a couple years back HB 317 to have an Autism designation printed on learner's permits and driver's licenses.

Mary Helen Blanchard is the author of Shirley's Story - The Heart Always Remembers, a beloved children's book about Shirley the Elephant and her reunion with a younger elephant she knew from years ago. Throughout this heart-warming interview, Mary Helen reminds us that, just like the elephants, we can find joy in the midst of grief and eventually allow our pain to bring us to a place of deep gratitude. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ If the Lord puts a dream in our hearts, then we can rest that He will be faithful to bring it to fruition. In the meantime, we delight in Him. ️ God's grace can be tangible when we most need it. Jesus is always enough and He is ever-present in our darkness. ️ Grief can be a gift because it can bring forth a closeness to God. However, we must surrender to our grief in order to heal. ️ We can use our pain to encourage others. Perspective is key for us to live with intentionally, embracing the fact that we are only on this earth for a moment in time. ️ Elephants can remember each other even after years of separation and they are known to trumpet at another elephant's passing. The parallel is that we can grieve with hope when we lose a loved one who has put their faith in Jesus. About Our Guest: Mary Helen Blanchard is an educator and author with over 40 years teaching and writing experience. As a young mother and teacher, she would take her 3 children and classroom students to visit The Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe, LA and there they would see lonely Shirley the Elephant, with her crooked leg and torn ear. When the story of Shirley and a younger elephant's reunion unfolded, Mary Helen knew that Shirley's story had to be told in a format for children. Mary Helen now resides in Mandeville, Louisiana where she continues to enjoy providing professional development for teachers, writing, and reading to her nine grandchildren. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Dr. Marty was diagnosed as an infant with cancer in both of his eyes, which over time has taken the majority of his eyesight. However, instead of seeing this diagnosis as a millstone around his neck, he resolved to use it as an opportunity to encourage others who find themselves in dark seasons of their lives. You will definitely be inspired by this interview with a man who desires nothing more than for God to get the glory He deserves! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Any hardship or accomplishment can be used to bring God glory. When we surrender the process to Him, we can see the beauty in any situation. ️ Leaning in to the Lord allows us to be sharpened so that we can see with spiritual eyes and not just physical. ️ When we are faithful to encourage others in the opportunities that God gives us, He will be faithful to elevate us to the next level. ️ We are called to wake up and pay attention to what God is calling us to next. When we live in the light, then we can reflect His radiance and encourage others to walk in their calling too. ️ Strongholds can be either good or bad depending on who we are putting our faith in. Jesus is the only one who brings true freedom to our fear and anxiety and can heal our past trauma. About Our Guest: Marty Carroll is a Professional Counselor in Sterlington, LA with special training and skill in assessing patient mental health and treating cognitive, psychological, and behavioral disorders using a wide variety of therapy techniques. Marty resides in Oak Grove with his wife Michelle and has most recently taken on the role hosting a show on the local radio station there.

Jennifer Clark is beautiful soul who knows what it means to delight herself in the Lord, but she also regularly experiences the Lord delighting over her. Within this warm conversation you will learn the art of delighting as well as hear the important role that summer camp plays in the lives of our youth. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Ministry can confront us with our greatest insecurities and also our greatest pride. The antidote to these two things is abiding and knowing that we are His beloved. ️ When we lay down our striving, we are free to delight ourselves in Him. Additionally, the Lord gives us gifts to show us that He sees us and that He delights in us. ️ Meditating on Scripture helps us change the narrative and erase feelings of being unchosen or unworthy. The Lord will redeem the memories and speak truth over our lives, calling us both His chosen and His beloved. ️ Leadership through the world's eyes is different than how the Lord views leadership. The Lord looks at the heart and is at work in unique ways within each of His children. ️ Summer camp can serve as a safe place for children to grow into their walk with the Lord. It also equips them to share the gospel with others. About Our Guest: Jennifer Clark is a woman who wears many hats. She is first and foremost a wife to Nolan and mom to Cullen and Austin. She is a speech language pathologist and teaches in the Speech Department at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Jennifer also serves with her husband as camp stewards of King's Camp in MerRouge, Louisiana, which serves hundreds of children each summer as they encounter the Lord. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Kila and Cesar Gonzales have an incredible story of how God brought beauty from ashes after the loss of their daughter to a rare disease. Through a series of God-orchestrated miracles, the Gonzales family is living proof that we can still praise a faithful God even after a season of despair. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Seasons of waiting can bring an intimacy into our marriage that produces a fertile ground for going deeper in our relationship with both God and each other. ️ Miscarriage and/or the loss of a child for a woman is emotionally painful, but it also affects the husband. ️ Desperation ushers forth a desire to be close to the Lord. It's in those moments that we can press in to Him and the result is often a spiritual closeness that is only found in the valley. ️ Even in moments of deep sadness, there are reasons to rejoice in the Lord's faithfulness. And eventually we can use our pain to comfort others. ️ New children don't replace the ones who are lost. We must give ourselves and/or others permission to grieve the loss. However, through the hope we have in Jesus we can live. About Our Guests: Kila and Cesar Gonzales are parents to five children. They have three living children, Maxwell (7), Mia (3) & Luke (12 months), and two babies awaiting them in heaven, Gabriella and Eva Katherine. Kila is a Registered Nurse who after enduring years of infertility and pregnancy and infant loss, including the devastating death of her newborn daughter, Eva, Kila found a fierce passion for supporting families experiencing the same heartache she faced. This passion is what compelled her to become a Certified Birth & Bereavement Doula and start the Non-Profit Organization, iwillcarryyou.net Dr. Cesar Gonzales owns New Hope Addiction Recovery, an outpatient addiction treatment center with locations in Monroe and Bossier City, Louisiana, and is personally and professionally committed to the treatment of Chemically Dependent individuals and their families. He is passionate about seeing his patients recover and live the lives that they deserve, free from the bondage of addiction.

Adams and April are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary and today they share their best marriage advice. They are by no means a perfect couple, but rather they are a real and authentic couple who are still daily working on their marriage. Life has not always been easy for Adams and April, and they have endured some serious seasons of darkness, but the Lord has been faithful to strengthen their marriage through it all. You are invited to hear their story of how they have been able to survive the pits and enjoy the peaks of marriage! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ View marriage as a triangle with God at the top and the two spouses at the base. If both spouses are always reaching toward God, then they will inevitably come together as one. ️ Marriage is a two-way street and we are better together than apart. We shouldn't focus on meeting each other 50/50, but rather 100/100. Go further than you think you should. ️ Some pits are brought our way due to external influences (such as grief or pain) and some are internal (i.e. pride). It's how we work through them with a teachable spirit that can produce healing for both spouses. ️ Some valleys of darkness that we will experience in our marriage is simply unfixable. However, it's an important distinction to know that our spouse is not our Savior, but he/she can point us to Him. ️ Spiritual leadership in the home starts with the husband humbling himself enough to serve his wife. Submission is actually a position of strength and when both spouses view it in that light, a marriage can truly thrive. About Our Guest: Adams Rodgers is the better half of April. He likes to say that he “married up,” but in reality, he is the one who has blessed April's life beyond comprehension. Adams is a girl dad to two gorgeous daughters, Addie and Ella, whom he adores and takes on dates regularly. He loves to fish and is an extremely talented drum player. Adams also runs a successful financial planning business and has consistently been selected by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Advisor.

The McBride Sisters have an amazing story of how God literally brought them from death to life as He healed both of them from their addiction to drugs and took them from the depths of darkness into His glorious light. You will love this story of how Brenda, the younger sister, prayed fervently for her older sister, Tonya, to return to her and she prepared a room for her even as Tonya was miles away in prison. BUT GOD rescued these two beautiful souls and now they are here to testify to His saving grace. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ No matter where we are in the birth order of our family, we can champion the cause to break generational curses. Sometimes it helps to get isolated with the Lord in order to receive the inner healing we need first before we can minister to other family members. ️ Extreme mercy comes when we least expect it, BUT GOD wipes us of our unworthiness. He is the Great Attorney and the Great Rescuer. ️ Addiction creates a dark hole that engulfs those who are in its grip. However, God who is rich in mercy can bring anyone back into His saving grace. No one has gone too far. ️ For those who have not grown up in church or reading the Bible, God can still meet us where we are and provide the deliverance we need. After that we need to stand on His Word and believe in His promises. ️ A renewing of the mind is a discipline that is necessary to beat addition and not return to the “familiar.” We can lean into living as tedeemed women or men of God, out of the darkness and into His light! About Our Guest: Brenda and Tonya McBride are sisters who live in West Monroe, Louisiana, and are co-managers of Blessings Bookstore alongside Sister Sarah Kelley. They are trained in deliverance and inner healing ministry and are attending Kingdom University. Stop by Blessings for your blessing today! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

James Doughty has a heart to serve God and his community. However, it's common for those in ministry to encounter discouragement from time to time. Yet if we are vulnerable about our discouragement, it's then that we can experience God showing up for us and He will be faithful to encourage us through our “doubt-filled faith.” Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️For those who are in ministry it is important to remember that “just because you work for God doesn't mean you're close to God.” We have to be intentional about spending time with God in order to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him. ️ When we start to feel discouraged, we need to get alone with Jesus and fill ourselves with Him first. Whatever stirs our affections for Jesus needs to be what we turn to for encouragement. ️ Sometimes we complicate following Jesus, but when get to the heart of it, simple devotion is all that is required. ️ If we find ourselves in a dry “desert moment” in our walk with the Lord, we need to keep showing up. Consistency is key. Remember to walk (not run) with the Lord. ️The Lord can handle our questions of “where are You?” When we lean into our doubt, He will meet us where we are and prove Himself faithful. About Our Guest: James Doughty is the lead pastor of First Monroe, located in Monroe, Louisiana. James is married to his beautiful wife, Kirstyn, and they have two children, Piper and Chapel. James loves fitness, bow hunting, and LSU football. You can learn more about James and his team at www.firstmonroe.com #jamesdoughty #firstmonroe #seminary #nobts #seminaryvscemetary #withgod #dangerouscalling #youthcamp #calltopreach #lsu #fraternitypresident #leadershipskills #highschoolsweethearts #fightingdiscouragement #beauthentic #breakingpoint #prayersofencouragement #aginstfilledworship #simpledevotion #ministersofthegospel #desertmoments #walkwiththelord #keepshowingup #consistencyiskey #dontgiveup #community #bealight #homeless #serve #datenight #fitness #reflectinglight #reflectinglightshow #aprilrodgers #hope #subscribe #youtuber #youtubechannel #womeninmedia #christianity #christianauthor #vlogger #shareyourstory #trueidentity #madetoshine

Kaylea Coates has been writing songs since she was in the 3rd grade. Little did she know that God would use her gift of music to help her worship her way through some of the darkest days of her life. Come enjoy this testimony of how trusting God leads to a life of surprise and delight! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Being “all in” for God doesn't mean that we are perfect, but rather that we are marked for God and His purposes. ️ There is a distinction between being “liked” and being the “light.” Shifting our focus from receiving approval through social media to living for an audience of One allows us to live with joy. ️ Just because we are following Jesus, that doesn't mean that we won't experience storms. When we sing through the storm and stand on His Word, He will show up for us. ️ When we are alone in the dark, it helps to pull out a journal and begin writing down everything that God has done in our lives. This is how we find our way back to the Light. ️ If we believe that we are writing our own story, then we feel the pressure to have our lives all figured out. But if we allow God to write our story, then we can trust Him in the waiting and our load is lightened. Trust Him! About Our Guest: Kaylea Coates is the Youth Pastor at Christ Church in West Monroe, Louisiana, and she also serves as a songwriter for Sadie Robertson Huff's ministry, Live Original. Kaylea is smitten with her new husband, Madison, and you can usually find her either with a guitar or a cup of coffee in her hand. You can follow Kaylea on Instagram: @kayleaholdthemayo #yourstory #worship #allin #marked #lightvslikes #livewithjoy #livefortheaudienceofone #hillsongcollege #collegeabroad #obedience #comfortzone #lonliness #lieoftheenemy #speaktruth #speaklife #holdontoscripture #compass #standongodspromises #singthroughthedark #iwillnotbesilent #inthemiddle #startingover #putoutchairs #purposedrivenlife #21dayfast #youth #studentpastor #losister #loworship #delight #heisinthewaiting #original #surpriseanddelight #godisincontrol #trustingod #mentorship #reflectinglight #reflectinglightshow #aprilrodgers #hope #subscribe #youtuber #youtubechannel #womeninmedia #christianity #christianauthor #vlogger #shareyourstory #trueidentity #madetoshine --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Jo Ellen Gilliland is a fitness expert who believes that it is important to not only train the body, but also the mind and the spirit. When we couple our workout with God's Word, then we are making ourselves stronger and can achieve more than we even thought possible. In this episode you will find encouragement to take a step to improve your physical health and your spiritual health too! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Fitness and spiritually go hand in hand. When we train the body to be strong, we need to train our spirit to be strong as well. Having a tribe (aka accountability) helps us achieve the goals we want to reach in both our physical and spiritual lives. ️ Exercise does not have to stop for pregnant women. They can achieve their fitness goals with proper training and be healthy for when the baby arrives. ️ Faith is like a muscle. When we take a leap of faith it actually increases our faith and gives us the strength to keep going. ️ Turning a dream into a business takes grit. Knowing we can do hard things in the gym translates into other areas of our everyday lives. ️ Proper nutrition is vital to fueling our body so that it can be strong. When we have a healthy view of food, then we can feed our temple properly and it also prevents eating disorders. About Our Guest: Jo Ellen Gilliland was born and raised in West Monroe, Louisiana. She taught 1st grade for 8 years at an elementary school while personal training on the side. The opportunity for her to train full time opened up, and she never wanted to look back with regret so she took a leap of faith. Twelve years later what once was just personal training has turned into an all women's gym called Tribe31 Training. Jo Ellen and her business partner, Taylor Jopling, have created a positive space for women to achieve their goals in a group setting. Their mission is to equip women with strength in all seasons of life through physical, mental, and spiritual training. They provide coaching, consistency, & community to women of all ages which has led to more confident & empowered women. #tribe31training #joellengilliland #personaltrainer #teaching #fitnessexpert #smallbusinessowner #leapoffaith #encouragementthroughmusic #heiswithus #loveandtheoutcome #timtebow #womenownedbusiness #tribe #equippingwomen #womenempoweringwomen #daughtersoftheking #nutrition #createdformore #eatingdisorders #bodyshaming #selfcare #justdoit #nextlevel #weighttraining #liftingweights #reflectinglight #reflectinglightshow #aprilrodgers #hope #subscribe #youtuber #youtubechannel #womeninmedia #christianity #christianauthor #vlogger #shareyourstory #trueidentity #madetoshine

Linda Trimble is a power-packed woman of God who models for other women how to find their true identity in Him. But before she became such a strong example, Linda had to overcome her fears of insecurity. In this episode, Linda gives us the formula of how to replace our fear with faith, as well as how to experience the love of God in a whole new way! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ Reading the Bible at a young age can give us the foundational knowledge we need in order to develop a deeper relationship with the Lord as we mature. The benefit is that as we read His Word, we fall more and more in love with Jesus. ️ When we live in a state of fear, it provides a breeding ground for feelings of insecurity and unworthiness. BUT when we study God's Word, then we can trust in God's love for us and believe that He is for us. ️ When others aren't there for us emotionally, we start to feel as if we can't trust them. The only thing that can bring us out of this darkness is to forgive as God has forgiven us. ️ Hold on to the promises of God when you are walking through a difficult time. As we continue to trust Him, He will increase our belief. ️ When we don't know how to pray, follow this formula: (1) identify the specific need, (2) pray the will of God, (3) meditate on the Word of God, (4) repeat as needed, (5) thank Him About Our Guest: As one of today's leading women mentors, Linda Trimble has a unique approach to helping women to become strong and influential in the home, church, and community. Linda is the founder of “Celebrating Women,” a ministry that honors women for their dedication and accomplishments in life, and “The United Fellowship of Women,” a sisterhood of women from various backgrounds, cultures, and age groups. Her book, Tru-An American Princess; A Fairy Tale Every Girl Should Read, will help youth and adults to understand purpose and identity. Linda has also compiled a book entitled Real Women Sharing Testimonies, to help women with practical wisdom on how to overcome any situation or circumstance in life. Connect with Linda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1532756616843032 #lindatrimble #godslove #overcomingfear #wordofgod #forgivingothers #faithoverfear #wordcometolife #experiencingtheloveofgod #trustwithinmarriage #marriageadvice #marriagegoals #prayersthatavailithmuch #powerofaprayingwife #howtopray #prayerformula #mentorshipofwomen #fellowship #saveourdaughters #strongactivevirtuouswomen #modeling #relationshipbuilding #sketchers #comfortableshoes #reflectinglight #reflectinglightshow #aprilrodgers #hope #subscribe #youtuber #youtubechannel #womeninmedia #christianity #christianauthor #vlogger #shareyourstory #trueidentity #madetoshine --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Ryan Lee and his wife, Miranda, experienced five years of infertility. Yet through all the struggles and pain, they were able to hold on to the Lord's faithfulness and lean on the prayers of those in their community. In this unique interview with a male's perspective, we encounter not only Ryan's love for his wife through the journey of infertility, but we also learn what it truly means to have the heart of a father. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ️ When resentment and anger start to creep in while we are walking through a valley, we should keep bringing our requests to God. It is ok to be honest with God; He can handle it. ️ Make community a part of the process! Allowing them to come alongside us in the journey and pray gives us the strength we need to carry on and keep the faith. ️ By being vulnerable enough to share our stories and shirk the sigma of infertility, we find out how many other people are in the same situation. It's then that we can see that God is faithful and He is the one who grants us the desires of our hearts. ️ When we get to the end of our “perceived control” and give God the autonomy to direct our paths, it's typically then that He reveals His greater plan. ️ Understanding that the Lord alone is the author and giver of life allows us to enjoy the benefits of modern medicine. As Creator God, He give us the inspiration to create new methods. About Our Guests: Ryan Lee is the Director of One Kingdom, a ministry that invests in leaders in their own nations and communities. Ryan has a business degree from Harding University, where he met his wife Miranda. He enjoys playing music, spending time with with family, and mentoring a local college group. Reach out to Ryan at www.onekingdom.org Get More EnLIGHTening Videos Each Week by Subscribing: https://www.youtube.com/c/AprilRodgersReflectingLight Visit: https://aprilrodgers.com Follow: https://www.instagram.com/rodgersapril Like: https://www.facebook.com/reflectinglightbyaprilrodgers Tweet: https://twitter.com/rodgers_april Leave us a COMMENT to tell us your favorite part about this video!

Matecki Nelson is a man who understands the deep things of God, but he boils it down to the fact that we must first love God and then love others authentically. There are many “golden nuggets” in this episode that will leave you feeling enlightened in your own walk with God and willing to love others just as God made them. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Joy is something that the world cannot give or take away. It is truly a gift from God and can be found even in seasons of grief. ⭐️ Authenticity means that we love God because He first loved us. When we understand that His love reaches beyond our own feelings, this better helps us love others. ⭐️ When we have the freedom to be who we truly are, we will be at peace with ourselves because we're not pretending to be someone other than who God made us to be. This also allows us to meet others where they are and not condemn them, just as Jesus did for us. ⭐️ Everyone has to have their own encounter with Christ for themselves. It's not up to us to judge or to criticize in the waiting. We don't know what God is up to in another's life. ⭐️ Just like a wet sponge, God saturates us with His goodness and mercy and we can drip that out into a dark and hurting world. Living as a Christ-follower allows us to offer hope, joy, and light. About Our Guests: Matecki Nelson was a firefighter for 29 years and now resides as the Chaplain for the Ouachita Parish Fire Department. He has been married to Almeater for 30 years and together they have 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. Matecki has served in the Marine Corps and National Guard, but what he most desires to be known for is his great love for His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Josh and Aly were high school sweethearts who married at a young age and were looking forward to starting a family when the unthinkable happened. Aly was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer that required sixteen rounds of chemotherapy and threatened to steal her life and her fertility. But the Lord had bigger and better plans than Josh and Aly could even conceive. Come enjoy this story of how God showed up with miracle upon miracle for this couple. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Healing is a process. We all want the miracle moment, but oftentimes it's the pain that will bring forth a disposition of thankfulness and appreciation. ⭐️ Praying Scripture with no physical evidence that His promises will come to pass requires an element of faith. However, when we trust His timing and commit to walk by faith, He will blow our minds with His goodness. ⭐️ The blessing of adoption allows the gospel to come alive because ultimately that is precisely how God feels about us as His sons and daughters. Adoption does not depend on a man's version of love, but rather the incredible love of God. ⭐️ God uses our stories to give other people hope. However, there is typically much work that is done behind the scenes before we are ready to testify. ⭐️ Life is sequence of light and darkness (hills and valleys), but the key is to keep our eyes on the Light even in seasons of darkness. Trust in God's vision and plan, even in the darkest moments. About Our Guests: Josh and Aly Taylor are creators of the Aly's Fight blog which led to a spot on the reality TV show “Rattled” by TLC. After experiencing cancer, adoption, and pregnancy, Josh and Aly have been able to travel the country sharing their story of healing, hope, and miracles. They strive to live each day abundantly as they raise their four miracle daughters and center their marriage and home around the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. You can follow Josh & Aly at www.alysfight.com

Randy Howell has an amazing story of how he won the Bassmaster Classic which involved being willing to listen to the voice of God and trust in His guidance. For twelve years Randy had tried to win the Classic to no avail, but check out what happened when the Lord orchestrated the impossible! God set up this supernatural success to make the greatest impact for His glory, but first Randy had to turn the boat around not once, but twice. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Going from good to great requires us obeying the instructions of the Lord, even when it feels counterintuitive. Randy had a “Moses moment” where he questioned the Lord, but he also acknowledged that when God wants to get something done, He will do it. ⭐️ Sharing our stories can allow those who don't have a relationship with Jesus to be attracted to His light without being “preached to.” ⭐️ When we seek first God's kingdom, He will be faithful to supply all we need…including a boatload of fish! ⭐️ Randy went through three major surgeries, and through that adversity he was able to experience a healing that only God could achieve. Randy encourages us to trust God and don't give up praying for a miracle. ⭐️ When we walk in step with the Spirit, trusting and obeying Him, God will make all things work together for good. About Our Guest: Randy Howell is a Major league fishing Bass Pro Tour angler and Bassmaster Classic Champion. Even before winning the Bassmaster Classic, Randy was known for sharing his testimony of how God healed him and allowed him to become a professional angler. Randy and his wife, Robin, are supporters of King's Home in Alabama, to which Randy gives away his boat/tournament rig each year to benefit the kids and ladies at the Kings Home ministry. When not on the road for a tournament, Randy, Robin, and sons Laker and Oakley, can be found worshipping on Sundays at Church of the Highlands. Read his full testimony on Randyhowell.com

Dr. Joneal Kirby is a wealth of knowledge in the world of marriage and family therapy, but her love for God and His Word is what really shines through in her everyday life. You will be blessed by this conversation of how sharing our hearts and lives leads to a greater satisfaction in our relationship with both God and others. Dr. Kirby also imparts her best practices regarding parenting. If you are in throes of raising children, or know someone who is, you will want to take notes from this enlightening episode. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Titus 2 gives women a biblical outline of how to share our hearts and lives. When we are obedient to walk in our calling, then other women are motivated to mentor/be mentored by other women. ⭐️ Infertility is often a painful time for women that can bring doubts about God's love for us. Finding counseling groups or other women who have been in similar situations can bring light to the darkness. ⭐️We can hold on to HOPE while waiting on God to fulfill His promises to us. He is in the waiting and He is faithful to give us the desires of our heart. ⭐️ Teach children while they are little to love and know God. God's spirit is inside the children and we can learn from their eagerness to know Him. ⭐️ Ephesians 6:1 instructs children to obey their parents. When we teach our children this command, then it become easier for them to obey God as an adult. About Our Guest: Dr. Joneal Kirby is the founding director of Heartfelt Ministries which has seen blessings of unprecedented growth over its dozen years of service. Heartfelt Ministries is a multi-generational mentoring program based on the teachings of Titus 2:3-5. Joneal is a wife, mother, and best known as “Honey” to ten grandchildren. You can follow Joneal at heartfeltministries.org --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The first time that I heard Katy Bolls pray my jaw hit the ground and I knew that I wanted a prayer life like hers. In today's episode Katy reveals to us the secret to her robust prayer life and she also shares with us how Jesus took her from a place of fear and filled her with His light and warmth. Katy's testimony is that Jesus healed her soul. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ When we don't know what to pray, we can call out, “Jesus, help me.” He will flood us with His presence and heal our souls. Desperation allows us to cry out to God and receive His light in a new way. ⭐️In order to have a robust prayer life, there is not a formula. It's simply about having a relationship with God, which is a two-way street. ⭐️God does not get impatient with our prayers. He loves to hear from us and wants us to enjoy a relationship with Him while here on earth. ⭐️ Learn to pray by reading the Book of Psalms and praying it back to Him. All of our struggles matter to the Lord and He oftentimes will show us a better way. ⭐️We can be bold in our prayers. Katy's secret to her prayer life is: Knowing God. Knowing what belongs to us in Jesus Christ. And feeling the freedom to pray authentically. About Our Guest: Katy Bolls is a California lawyer who was born in California and made her way to West Monroe, Louisiana, in order to establish roots and invest in the community in which she now lives. Katy and her husband have three boys and they are raising them to love the Lord just as they do. You can find Katy on YouTube for her public readings of Scripture.

If you've ever held a newborn, then you know that the gift of life is a miracle in its own right. But what if a woman finds herself in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy? Can a live birth still result in a miracle while in the midst of turmoil? Today's guest, Lyndsey Sikes of Life Choices, explains how making life-affirming choices can create a beautiful miracle even in the midst of brokenness. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ In an unplanned pregnancy, a positive pregnancy tests gives a woman tunnel vision. But when looked at with a wider lens and with the help of counselors, the woman can better make life-affirming choices. ⭐️ 8 out of 10 women experience post-abortion stress and 1 out 3 women have had an abortion by age 65. Lyndsey's team recommends the study “Surrendering the Secret” by LifeWay to help women who are dealing with past abortions. ⭐️There are miracles in the brokenness. The gift of adoption facilitates the healing for both the birth mom and the adoptive parent. ⭐️Our God is faithful and that's a fact. But sometimes God requires our faith in His abilities to provide in times of uncertainty. It's how we respond to His faithfulness that takes us to the next level. ⭐️ Mother Teresa said, “There are no great things, only small things with great love.” Lyndsey reminds us that where there is great love, there are always miracles. It's humbling to know that we can be conduits of His love and therefore usher in His miracles. About Our Guest: Lyndsey Sikes is the Executive Director of Life Choices, a Pregnancy Resource Center. Life Choices offers an alternative to abortion by providing free pregnancy tests, mentoring programs, and much more. They serve over 1000 women per year. Lyndsey is married to Alex and is known as momma to two precious children. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

We are kicking off Season 2 of The Reflecting Light Show with a real and raw conversation between April and Coach Jeff Fitzgerald of how he and his wife were able to come out of a season of depression and darkness and into God's marvelous light. Coach Fitz is a big believer in putting on the Armor of God every day and will explain how it's not much different from suiting up for a football game. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Putting on the armor of God is a daily practice that provides divine protection from the enemy. When we are aware of the enemy's schemes we can fight with confidence that the battle is already won. ⭐️ There is nothing that we can do to make God love us. We don't have to worry about approval or meeting a particular standard. It's just a benefit of being in the Light. ⭐️ The sword (God's Word) comes to bless and correct. God brings about the improvement inside of our lives when we pick up the sword daily. ⭐️ God can use other people to be the “Shield of Faith” in our times of darkness. ⭐️ Putting on our armor allows us to rest in Him as we walk through various trials. He gives us glimmers of hope to keep us pressing on. About Our Guest: Coach Jeff Fitzgerald is currently leading the charge for Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Northeast Louisiana. After coaching football for almost 22 years, Coach Fitz now is able to pour into the lives of youth by encouraging EVERY athlete. Jeff has also be instrumental in sharpening both men and women through retreat and lifegroup ministries at North Monroe Baptist Church. Jeff is married to his beautiful wife Kim and is the proud dad to two daughters.

Fasting is a well-known Biblical principal, but unless we understand why we fast, it just becomes another thing to do in the new year. But if we grasp that fasting unlocks the power of God within our lives, then we can be truly satisfied. Today April is joined by Pastor Jeffrey Kent, author of Satisfied: A 21-Day Prayer and Fasting Devotional through the Gospel of John. Listen in on this conversation between two seminary graduates to learn how you can be completely satisfied in 2022! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Fasting is different than a new year resolution in the way that we depend on God to satisfy our every need versus depending on ourselves to improve our circumstances. ⭐️ Limiting our fleshly desires allows our spirit to come alive and increases God's clarity and power within our lives. ⭐️ Don't give up if you happen to slip up within the fast. Remember that the goal to keep pressing in to God's heart. ⭐️ When we are intentional to consecrate the first part of the year to God, we can come with great expectation that God will reveal Himself to us. About Our Guest: Jeffrey Kent is a pastor at Christ Church. He has been teaching, preaching, and serving churches for over 20 years including nearly 3 years in China. Jeffrey received a B.A. in Religion from Louisiana College and a Master of Divinity from Liberty University. He is married to his beautiful wife, Abigail, and together they are raising two amazing kids in West Monroe, Louisiana.

God doesn't want us to be comfortable. He actually wants to move us out of our comfort zones so that we can make a difference for Him. Today April Rodgers welcomes Christy McIntyre to The Reflecting Light Show to share a missionary's perspective of how to get uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ One of the best ways to share the hope of Jesus in another country is to simply immerse ourselves into their culture and share our lives. ⭐️ Asking questions is key to building trust and community when witnessing to others. ⭐️ Grieving unrealized expectations are a part of life, but we can be certain that God is still with us every step of the way. ⭐️ Community involves vulnerability, authenticity, and dedication. ⭐️ Uncomfortable is God's norm. When we pour out our lives for Him, we honor Him with our lives. About Our Guest: Christy McIntyre is married to Ashton and they have two fantastic children, Luke and Anna Faith. The McIntyre family are missionaries with Willing to Go and they most recently served the people in Thailand where they built community through fitness programs. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

You've most likely heard the term “generational curses,” but it's rare that we spend time discussing “generational blessings.” Today April Rodgers welcomes her pastor, friend, and boss, Ryan Lowe, to The Reflecting Light Show and together they flip the script and focus on the positives of stepping into one's calling. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Unity ushers in the blessings of God. When we stand shoulder to shoulder, it allows us to grow in our spiritual gifts. ⭐️ When we operate in God's calling on our lives, we can thrive better than if we try to be someone else. God is always specific to grow us in each season to accomplish His plans. ⭐️ You can't know God as a Healer if you've never needed healing before. Our seasons of pain help us hear God's voice in a new and better way. ⭐️ Walking through difficult seasons is a two-sided coin…it helps us learn things about ourselves that we need to change, but it also allows us to learn new things about God. ⭐️ Character is different than integrity. We have to have integrity with ourselves and resolve that we will keep our word to ourselves. About Our Guest: Pastor Ryan Lowe is the executive pastor of one of the largest churches in North Louisiana. Christ Church hosts campuses in West Monroe, Ruston, and Sterlington, Louisiana. Ryan has two amazing kids, Willa Rae and Guy and together they enjoy exploring the great outdoors. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

April Rodgers welcomes her friend and fellow conference speaker, Mindy Lancaster, to The Reflecting Light Show. Mindy has a truly inspiring story of how God used other women to disciple her through some of the darkest seasons of her life. After allowing them to speak truth into her life, Mindy was able to let go of unhealthy labels by living in the light of God's Word. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Letting go of unhealthy labels is best done by applying God's to our lives and actively moving out of that space. ⭐️ Sometimes there are no “right words” to say when someone has lost a loved one. You just have to show up. ⭐️ The Lord can bring purpose and strength that breathes life into us after seasons of darkness. ⭐️ True discipleship means we allow other Christ-followers we trust to speak truth in love. Be teachable. ⭐️ Jesus does not expect us to be perfect, but rather He meets us as broken people right where we are. About Our Guest: Mindy Lancaster has a passion for women's prison ministry that was birthed out of the pain of childhood trauma. She is a Christian speaker and advocate for Heartfelt Ministries, a Titus 2 women's ministry. Mindy has been blessed with an amazing family that includes her husband, son & daughter-in-law, and daughter. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

April Rodgers welcomes Leslie Lamb of Mercy Multiplied to The Reflecting Light Show to share with us how experiencing shame and thoughts of suicide can be overcome with the help of the Lord and oftentimes the willingness a thoughtful friend to speak life. Leslie rewrote her story of trauma and pain into a beautiful ministry “for her.” Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Shame is tool used by the enemy to make us feel alone in our darkness, but God can completely break that off if we allow Him to remind us who we are in Him. ⭐️ Typically, those who are suicidal have the desire to escape their current reality while inflicting the least amount of pain onto others. The misconception is that they are just being selfish. ⭐️ Allowing the Lord to walk us out of the darkness is a climb that takes effort, but the hike is worth it because our healing is on the other side. ⭐️ Rewrite your story where trauma is not the overwhelming shame factor, but rather focus on the hope and truth that is found in our faithful God. When we share our stories, we begin a ministry “for her.” ⭐️ Sometimes God uses the obedient actions of others to literally save our lives. Perhaps God is prompting us to offer hope to someone else who is in a dark space. If you find this episode enLIGHTening, please subscribe and leave us a review.

April Rodgers welcomes Corey Taylor to The Reflecting Light Show to share with us his story of how he was radically transformed from a sports star (who was successful by worldly standards but walking in total darkness) to a man on fire for God (who now points everyone he meets to The Light). Throughout this conversation you will learn how to share your faith with a renewed passion. We cannot/should not/will not be ashamed! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Times of uncertainty teach us to draw closer to God and stand firm on His Word. ⭐️ Darkness is the absence of light. Accepting the invitation to follow Christ is all we have to do to start walking in the light. ⭐️ Discipleship helps us to learn how to love others to Christ, which is irresistible. The added benefit is that as we live in a community of believers, God's love trickles down into our homes and families. ⭐️ Once we come to the end of ourselves, the Lord's work can begin within us. We cannot be ashamed of the gospel and how it has saved us. About Our Guest: Corey Taylor is a Monroe, Louisiana, native who is well known in his community for his passion for Christ and God's ability to transform lives. He is married to his gorgeous wife, DeAnn, and together they have three beautiful daughters. Corey is a leader within the Men's Ministry at North Monroe Baptist Church and has been instrumental in retreat ministry throughout Northeast Louisiana. Please consider subscribing and leaving us a 5 star rating so that we can continue to shine His light!

April Rodgers welcomes her husband, Adams, to help her interview their friends, Holley and Jonathan Perry. After the loss of their infant son, Holley and Jonathan Perry were able to donate their son's organs which led to a wonderful friendship with the family who received John Clarke's heart and it ignited within them a passion for organ donation. This interview will warm your heart as we explore how our grief/pain can be used to comfort others, which ultimately ushers in our healing. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ God can use our pain to comfort others which can oftentimes lead to unlikely friendships birthed in love. ⭐️ Looking at loss as a miracle from God versus a tragedy helps us to focus on God's sovereignty and see the impact our loss can have on the lives of others. ⭐️ We have to make a choice to keep getting up so that God can work in and through us. ⭐️ God puts the “super” on our “natural” to invoke supernatural works, yet it starts with us stepping out in obedience. ⭐️ Doing a check and balance of our lives helps confirm if we are in the will of God or not. He will provide the confirmation we need to step out in faith. About Our Guests: Holley and Jonathan Perry are the founders of The John Clarke Perry Foundation that focuses on organ donation. They have given away over $60,000 and most recently have sponsored a PICU wing at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana. The Perry's home is filled with much love and laughter with their three daughters, Emarie, Ella, and Evie Clarke. You can visit The John Clarke Perry Foundation at johnclarkeperryfoundation.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who needs some LIGHT & HOPE. You were Made to Shine.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow knows a thing or two about finding hope in the midst of adversity. After losing her husband due to COVID-19 complications, Julia resolved to rise up for the sake of her children and the 5th District of Louisiana and serve them, even though she was still grieving. This resilient woman shows us that there can be purpose in the pain and that we should be intentional to make each moment count! April Rodgers welcomes her sister, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, to discuss how we can hold on to hope in the midst of adversity. In this real and raw conversation, The Barnhill Sisters tackle topics such as love, loss, favorite family memories, infertility, postpartum, professional disappointments/successes, and how Julia is now shining her light in the political world. Julia also flips the script and interviews her big sister with some enlightening questions! This is one interview that you don't want to miss. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Our failures are what produce times of growth within our lives. It's typically during the difficult times that God is preparing us for our next assignment. ⭐️ Seasons of waiting teach us how to be humble and allow us to put our trust in the Lord for our future dreams. However, the true blessing of life comes when we learn to be content in the moment. ⭐️ God brings forth beauty from ashes even in the midst of intense pain and loss. He gives us peace to rise up and serve others which helps with the healing process. ⭐️ Just like a tapestry looks messy from the side that is being woven, our lives can feel similarly on this side of eternity. But when we see Jesus face to face we will see the beauty of the finished product clearly and know that God was weaving together our story. ⭐️ We become relatable (even in the midst of perfectionism) by being vulnerable and sharing our stories. About Our Guest: Representative Julia Letlow holds the seat of the 5th Congressional District of Louisiana. After losing her husband, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, Julia resolved to carry on the dream that the two of them shared for the State of Louisiana. Julia holds her PhD in Communications and has been a voice for sibling grief. Julia resides in Start, Louisiana, with her two children, Jeremiah and Jacqueline. Please subscribe to the show and leave us a rating. You were Made to Shine!

Are you feeling closed-in or claustrophobic, trying desperately to get out of a dark place? Or perhaps your marriage is broken and you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Before you give up hope, allow the wisdom of someone who has been where you are to enlighten you. April Rodgers welcomes Keith Rushing to discuss how we can thrive in our everyday lives, no matter if things are going well or if we find ourselves in a broken place. There is hope at every turn! Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ When situations in life make us feel closed in, we can go to Scripture and know with certainty that God will bring us out of the darkness. ⭐️ From a male perspective, to love your wife as Christ loves the church requires a humble spirit, but it's the only way to have a lasting marriage. ⭐️ There is hope if you are in a broken marriage. First dive into God's Word and then seek counsel from a mature believer in Christ. ⭐️ Your relationship with your spouse will never be what it can be until your relationship with Jesus is what it ought to be. ⭐️The Bible is tried and true and can get us through every season of life. Ask Him for a supernatural love for it and He will be faithful to give it to you. About Our Guest: Keith Rushing is a self-proclaimed Jack of all trades, yet he is well-known in his community as a philanthropist, actor, filmmaker, and family man. Keith has been married to his wife, Shaundra, for 43 years and they have been instrumental in world of marriage ministry. They now have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Please take a moment to subscribe and leave us a review!

Bringing hope and light to those who have been victimized by sex-trafficking is not much different than bringing hope and light into our homes. It starts with asking ourselves who exactly Jesus is in our lives and then allowing The Redeemer to set us free! April Rodgers welcomes Lindsey Crawford to discuss how we can find true freedom in a sex-saturated culture. Below are some of our favorite takeaways from today's show: ⭐️ Women who are marginalized due to sex-trafficking have unique needs in order to deal with their trauma. Restoring dignity to them starts with us sharing hope and light. ⭐️ Today's youth are facing challenges in this sex-charged culture. Helping them navigate in a healthy manner is a challenge that is overcome by first taking a good look at ourselves. ⭐️ There is a beautiful design for sex and marriage within God's Word that is not simply a list of do's and don't's. ⭐️ There is a difference between knowing religion versus knowing the Redeemer. Jesus is a call-to-action God. About Our Guest: Lindsey Crawford is the Founder and Director of Freedom13 in Ruston, Louisiana. Freedom13 exists to to rebuild dignity in the lives of the women it serves. Her desire is to bring a perspective that is both unique and personal to her understanding of the current dynamics in a sex-saturated culture. You can visit Lindsey at freedom13ministries.com Please subscribe & review and then share this episode with a friend who needs some light in their lives!