Where Do You Find God?

"The place I find God is in the mundane & in the everyday". Lani Hanfiro works as a Graphic Designer at Rhema & in her spare time alongside her husband Fini run a youth ministry at their church. Lani talks of finding God in everyday moments and of how learning to recognize God in the small things in life has prepared her to hear his voice & recognise his guidance in the big decisions of her life. Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'He's gracious, he's merciful, he's compassionate. He extends his love to everyone'. Ana Ika is a Senior Social Policy Analyst/Advocate in the Social Policy & Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army of New Zealand. Ana is also one of the writers behind the Salvation Army's annual State of the Nation Report. Ana speaks from her heart and shares of how she finds great comfort in the work that she does. She also talks of her motivation in her vocation not only being for people's day to day needs but their eternal wellbeing. https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/research-policy/social-policy-parliamentary-unit/state-nation-2025/ Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'The heart of God is not to be absent and distance and mysterious, there's always going to be a mystery to God, but he wants to be found.' Ben Fielding is a GRAMMY award winning, multi-platinum, Australian songwriter and artist. A prolific song-writer, Ben has written many of the most sung and loved modern hymns across the Church globally. He is the only songwriter to have four songs reach #1 on CCLI as the most sung songs in the global Church: Goodness Of God, What A Beautiful Name, Who You Say I Am and Mighty To Save. Ben also wrote the certified Gold This I Believe (The Creed). Recently alongside Chris Tomlin he was involved with The First Hymn Project, which is the translation of an ancient text into a modern worship song. https://www.instagram.com/ben_fielding/Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘God loves us infinitely, in a parent kind of love’. Anna Paterson founded Everlasting Clothing back in 2017. It's a charitable trust that upcycles women's stylish preloved women's clothing at an affordable price and supports women through social services. Anna talks of having a busy life and wanting to make time for God but not quite having the time. She also has an epiphany in the middle of conversation realizing that the way she yearns to spend time with her young adult son is the same way God yearns to spend time with her. https://everlasting.org.nz/ Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘God has given us two ears and one voice and I think sometimes we need to listen more than we talk to him.’ Colin Bloom has spent more than 30 years in the business, not for profit and political worlds. He's held a number of senior roles in British politics and was responsible for creating the Bloom Review that looked at the British government's engagement with faith, people of faith and places of worship. Colin shares of his faith conversion in his teens and of the intentional ways he connects with God in his everyday life. Does government ‘do God?’ An independent review into how government engages with faith Barnabas Aid: Bringing hope to suffering Christians Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'The things that I can't fix, I hand over to him and he's got it and there's so much peace in that'. Renee Chopping is a programme director working with survivors of sex trafficking and an advocate of women’s rights and child protection. Renee, deals with gritty and sometimes overwhelming situations and talks of recognizing that the burden she sometimes feels is God's alone to carry. https://www.collectiveshout.org/spotify-removes-trafficking-coursesSupport Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'‘The practice of stitching and being still is a really helpful way for me to remember God is with me’. Miriam Jessie Fisher is a Theologian, Textile Artist, Poet, Performer and Lecturer at Laidlaw College. She recently completed a 6-year project called "Women's Word's where she stitched 8,999 words spoken by women in the Bible onto calico, creating a profound textile art project. In Where Do You Find God she talks of how stitching has grounded and centered her through challenging times and is one of the spaces she finds God in her life. https://miriamjessie.com/Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'For me it's deeply personal and I would really love that people understood that God can be their best friend'. Tim Sisarich has over 2 decades of working alongside humanitarian organizations, 3 decades in strategic communication and is married with 5 kids. Tim talks of his deep faith and the simple ways he connects with God and his desire for all people to understand that God can be your best friend. https://www.globallocals.org/ Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I experience God like the ground we stand on. It’s always there, it’s always supporting us. If you tune in you realise it’s been there the whole time’. Tianna Williams is a Sacred Artist from Saskatoon, Canada who paints the saints. She shares of her intimate relationship with Jesus and of how the paintings she journeys with impact her deeply. https://sacredartbytianna.com/Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I think we get these invitations from God in moments of crisis to let go and to trust'. Naomi Cowan is the CEO of Equip Mental Health Services she is also a lung transplant survivor. Naomi talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways she encounters God in her everyday life and of how this has changed since navigating her health crisis. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oQpb-QaWzs - to view Naomi's TV interview on Finding the Light TV with Lizzie Oakes. Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Last night I had trouble sleeping, so I just take in a breath and then (as I breathe out) “lovely Jesus” “Beautiful Holy Spirit”. It’s a nice calming way to quieten my own mind and quieten my own lips”. Tom O'Neil talks of being inspired by Smith Wigglesworth and of how he has personally developed a discipline of spending time with God each day, which started with putting aside 2 minutes a day. cv.co.nz Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The more I try and hold onto something in my own strength, I close myself off from receiving God's goodness". Former White Fern & Ex Policewoman Katie Perkins grew up with a dream to represent New Zealand in cricket. She shares stories of crying with joy of becoming a White Fern and of how after finishing her policing career she has now embraced a new path while continually to walk with God.Support Sanctuary Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=sanctuarySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"God loves that I'm able to love but then I'm able to know God to be a God of love". Bishop Te Kitohi "Kito" Wiremu Pikaahu is the Māori Anglican bishop for Te tai Tokerau he talked with Lizzie Oakes of learning from a young age that God is everywhere and of how he encounters God in his everyday life. Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“In my workplace everything that I was bullied for growing up is celebrated”. Film Professional Caitlin Head was working in tv but desperately wanted to get into the film industry. In January 24 an unexpected opportunity opened up and she was offered an internship in the directors department of on an international feature film – directed by Taika Waititi. Caitlin shares of working in an industry which she feels called to and how she finds God in this space. Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2024, revisiting our episode with Canon J John and his wife Killy. "He's everywhere and I'm a carrier of the presence of God, and every Christian is a carrier of the presence of God. Canon J John and his wife Killy chat with Lizzie about the ways they find God in their everyday lives. https://canonjjohn.com/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look across 2024, revisiting our episode with Matt Perry. What I’ve developed is a very personal practice of turning to God in the moments. I love at any moment of the day, in any situation, in any circumstance I just say “I turn to you Lord”. Matt Perry, FEBC talks of his personal practice of finding God in the everyday moments of his life. https://febc.nz/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2024, revisting our episode with Tanya Unkovich. "My God’s got a really good sense of humour, because the way my lessons come about sometimes you couldn’t make it up. New Zealand First MP, Tanya Unkovich, talks with Lizzie Oakes about the importance of encountering God in her role as a New Zealand Politician.Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look back across 2024 looking at our episode with Strahan Coleman. ‘When I was really at the peak of my ill years I‘ve had at least 2 seasons where I spent 80% of my time really just being able to sit in a chair or lying in bed’. Strahan Coleman is a writer, award-winning folk musician, spiritual director and founder of commoners communion. He’s also someone who has experienced chronic illness which has led him to find God in new and deeper ways. He shares some of his experience with Lizzie Oakes. https://www.commonerscommunion.com/ Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're taking a look across 2024, revisiting our episode with Andrew Curtis, where he opens up about how he struggled to receive God’s love but now that he has received it, he realizes his Christian journey is more about God finding him.Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking back across 2024 we revisit the very first episode of Where Do You Find God. Lizzie Oakes chats with Cathy Jenke who has worked with Rhema Media for over 45 years and is soon moving out of Auckland to Nelson and will be working part time broadcasting from there. Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I had a real encounter at the age of 19 and I thought that was enough, until I realized God is available for me to encounter every day'.  Rev Keri-Ann Hokianga, Maori Evangelist in Te Takiwa o Manukau talks with Lizzie Oakes of God calling her out of the corporate sector to work in evangelism.  She shares of finding God in all sorts of places including meeting with a group of women in prison.   https://manukau.tetaitokerau.anglican.org/users/the-reverend-keri-ann-hokiangaSupport Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'I really feel that God is always with us; the question is, are we are aware of him being with us?' Author Anna Harris of Not Abandoned  -(a story of how God's love and understanding your true identity overcome abandonment and rejection from trauma, adversity and rejection) - talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways she connects with God. https://definedbygod.com/        Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘And as I walked past this group, it was like I literally ran into a wall, the presence of God, the Holy Spirit, it was very odd and very unusual for me'. Bjorn Brickell has been a breakfast show host on the Morning Wake Up on Life FM for 13 years.  He talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways he finds God and has come to the conclusion that these days it's more about where God finds him.   https://lifefm.co.nzSupport Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Sometimes it's in the noise and the chaos or the big mountain top moments, but he does follow us down into the normality of life'. Davina West, born in Singapore and now living and working in New Zealand is a Producer/Broadcaster with Rhema Media.  Davina talks of having searched for God in all sorts of places but how now she is increasingly learning to recognize God in the everyday moments of life, whether it's spending time with her children or making healthy, tasty and nourishing food. Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I help those whose lives have experienced the heart of the Father - whose hearts cry: How do I authentically live this out in the context of my own life – without all the usual effort driven striving?” Mark Head, Spiritual Director of The Finding Home Journey talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways we can struggle to find God and how he helps people to connect with God in their own individual lives. To find out more visit: https://www.finding-home.net/ https://refocussing.com/ - as mentioned in the conversation Di Divett's practice of helping us to connect to God in our everyday lives. Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘The storms don't go away, the unfortunate times don't not happen, but if you open up your heart, he's there.' Broadcaster Sela Alo who once told Lizzie that his greatest super power is being vulnerable shared openly and honestly about the ways he finds God in his life in the good times and the hard times.   Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I would stay up late at night and binge watch Netflix and snack, and what I was trying to avoid was the next day coming with its stresses.' Francis Ritchie, Minister, Media Chaplain & Broadcaster openly and honestly shares of some of the struggles he and his family have been facing the last 4 years and is still currently working his way through.    Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘This thing that I fought for years, to try and start to receive, this love that God has for me if I could go to you and just unlock it, just click and bang, and it would just be the best, and I can't do it and I hate that'. Andrew Curtis honestly shares of how he struggled to receive God's love but now that he has received it, he realizes his Christian journey is more about God finding him.Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"He's everywhere and I'm a carrier of the presence of God, and every Christian is a carrier of the presence of God.   Canon J John and his wife Killy chat with Lizzie about the ways they find God in their everyday lives. https://canonjjohn.com/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I grew up thinking that maybe only the serious people could find God, you know the real holy ones who do things properly and all the rest and then I lived the life that I lived and, on my way, back through to the heart of God I found he is very near to the broken hearted'.  Captain Hana Seddon of Rotorua Salvation Army shares with Lizzie Oakes of finding God with her sleeves rolled up.   https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/centres/nz/central-bay-of-plenty/rotoruaSupport Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘It's not about achieving; its understanding what it's like to sit down and imagine God sitting down next to you on a park bench, on your good days and your bad days. When you're crying, when you're laughing'.  Counsellor Craig Gemmell talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways he used to struggle to find the presence of God compared to how he is now readily able to access the presence of God.    Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘I have the most profound moments with God when I realize that he's said something in scripture and then you get that moment, & they don't happen all the time, of revelational revealing'.  ‘It's just incredible how he works in your life and his kindness, and I think you get more in tune to that the closer you get to him'.    Luke Weston, newly appointed CEO of Rhema Media shares with Lizzie Oakes how important it is for him to find God each day in scripture.     Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Grief is horrible, and it hits you at times you least expect, and I find God there.  There's that passage of scripture that talks about the peace that passes all understanding.  I would encourage anyone who's in a grief situation to find that space of peace.  He's always there'. Jo Hood is the Visionary of Mainly Ministries. She shares some of her journey with Lizzie Oakes including how she has encountered God in grief, having lost her beloved husband six years ago.    https://mainlymusic.org.nz/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘As the years go by, things that would've freaked me out 15- 20 years ago, they don't freak me out because it's not my problem'.  ‘I've seen so many miracles over the last 20 years, that I have given up worrying'. Sue van Schreven, CEO & Founder of Orphans Aid International looks back over her  20 year ministry journey and reflects on the ways God has sustained her and the ways she encounters him in her everyday life.    https://www.orphansaidinternational.org/     Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'The place I really find God and find a tangible sense of his presence is at the end of me'.  Andrew Urquhart has been a broadcaster with Rhema Media for over 30 years & shares with Lizzie Oakes about the way he encounters God in his work.  Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘When I was really at the peak of my ill years I‘ve had at least 2 seasons where I spent 80% of my time really just being able to sit in a chair or lying in bed'.  Strahan Coleman is a writer, award-winning folk musician, spiritual director and founder of commoners communion. He's also someone who has experienced chronic illness which has led him to find God in new and deeper ways. https://www.commonerscommunion.com/ Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"One of the struggles I have is  a struggle around anxiety, so for me going to scripture is an absolute life line. It's not just the words on the page but it's the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through scripture which has held me when I'm really anxious".  Reuben Munn, Senior Pastor of Shore Community Church candidly shares with Lizzie Oakes about where he finds God and how vital it is for him to regularly connect to the presence of God.  https://www.shorecommunity.church/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The best place I find God is when I let God be a Father to me". Becky Bermingham, Broadcaster, Communicator, Lover of Jesus shares the ways she finds God in her life and talks of how knowing God as Father is everything to her.   Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"We were filming the dream of a satanic priest in LA.  He said, “You are the first Christians I've met who haven't judged me”.  The entire conversation with him I felt those Holy Spirit tingles. "Wherever we go now, whoever we meet, we just want to love on people.  And when we're loving on people, that is when I feel closest to God".   Filmmaker Fraser Grut , 10 000 Dreams, who's dream is to help make the world dream again, zooms in from LA to chat with Lizzie Oakes about the ways he finds God in his life.  https://www.10000dreams.org/ https://www.instagram.com/frasergrut/?hl=en  Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“When you're seeing reports of children dying, women dying at the hands of dysregulated men it's hard to find God in those spaces but if you look for God, for Atua you will find God”.  Mataio (Matt) Brown from She Is Not Your Rehab talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways he finds God in the work he does in the anti violence movement.     https://www.sheisnotyourrehab.com/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I don't have to agree theologically with everyone around the world; that's an impossible endeavour.  But I can love and respect everyone around the world". World Christianity Specialist Dr Gina Zurlo shares with Lizzie Oakes how she finds God within World Christianity. https://ginazurlo.com/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I grew up in an abusive situation and hated this region.  What I'm finding now, is the community where I felt so vulnerable and broken is now healing me”. Community Activist Donagh Booth advocates for the elderly in her community and along with her daughter Maddi set up The Shoe Booth, an initiative which provides free shoes, uniforms and ball wear to young people.  Donagh very candidly talks of the difficult childhood she experienced and how in moving back to Southland she has Found God in a way that has brought such depth of healing, it has enabled her to pour back into the community she once fled from.  https://www.facebook.com/theshoebooth/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“It's almost as if God is wanting to make himself known, almost as if God is wanting to touch my soul, I just have to pay attention & suspend my problem-solving brain”. Jeff Crabtree, speaker, author, researcher, filmmaker and multi award winning songwriter & music producer talked with Lizzie Oakes about the ways he finds God in his everyday life.  zebracollective.com   Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“When I can shut out the noise and focus in on what is in my hand to deal with, that's when I feel, if I could see God in that moment, that is where God would be”. Julia Grace, Musician, Public Speaker, Mental Health Advocate talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways she finds God in her everyday life.  https://juliagrace.co.nz/  Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What I've developed is a very personal practice of turning to God in the moments.   I love at any moment of the day, in any situation, in any circumstance I just say “I turn to you Lord”.  Matt Perry, FEBC talks of his personal practice of finding God in the everyday moments of his life.     https://febc.nz/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I seek his presence at that time of the morning  & I find that because my mind is open, my spirit is open, my heart is open I receive him and he comes to me there, he speaks to me, I experience his peace  and his love”.  Kaylene Subritkzy from Dove Ministries shares with Lizzie Oakes about her daily practice of Finding God at 4am.   https://www.doveministries.com/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dale Garratt, co founder of Scripture in Song shares the ways she finds God with Lizzie Oakes.  She speaks of how she received an incredible healing of her back by  finding God in his word.  Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"As the scripture says, he's not very far from us but we have to reach out.  It's like there's a connection that has to take place.  In a very real way God is always speaking to humanity but he's speaking and it's a two way thing, we have to respond". David Garratt, Co Founder of Scripture in Song speaks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways he encounters God in his every day life.Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I find God when I slow down, I find that God is closer than my breathe".  Jules Badger, Spiritual Director, Writer and co Author of When the Light Goes Out talks with Lizzie Oakes about the ways she encounters God in her every day life. https://shop.sarmy.net.nz/product?openform&pid=SBUS-CVC66E  Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It's the source of who I am.  To be able to do the busy, the many demands, it's a priority, to be with God". Alison Shaw author of There's A Dog In The Garden, shares with Lizzie Oakes the different ways she connects with the presence of God in her life. https://www.theresadoginthegarden.com/  Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"There's nothing like that time when the rest of the city or the the town is asleep, there's no one else moving, there's no one else up at the same time,  it's just you and God".  Gabe Chan, Senior Leader, Elim Dunedin shares about encountering God in spaces you wouldn't normally encounter him.    https://www.elimdunedin.com/Support Star Radio: https://donate.rhemamedia.co.nz/?brand=starSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.