A Cup of Gratitude

Latest Episodes:

Season 7 - Episode 18 - Finding Gratitude Turning Pain into Purposeful Action Apr 29, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Stacy Horst, a wife of 33 years, a mother of two, a Co-founder of Erin’s Hope for Friends, a Realtor for 20 years, and a Board member of Nassau Habitat for Humanity. Stacy's journey took a transformative turn when she and her husband founded "Erin's Hope for Friends," a non-profit organization born out of love and tragedy. The organization's namesake, Erin, their beloved daughter, faced the complex intersection of autism, bullying, isolation and ultimately succumbing to the weight of exclusion. In the face of such heartbreaking loss, Stacy and Darren channeled their grief into a force for good. Determined to prevent other families from experiencing a similar fate, this 501c3 stands as a testament to their unwavering commitment to helping teens and young adults with Level 1 Autism and their families by creating a safe place “E’s Club” where they can make lasting relationships through joyful interactions. Stacy's life story is one marked by resilience, empathy, and an enduring commitment to turning personal pain into purposeful action. In every role she plays Stacy stands as an inspiring example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of many. We take a look from her childhood up to the present to see the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode!

https://www.erinshopeforfriends.org/

Facebook.com/erinshopeforfriends

linkedin.com/ company/ErinsHopeforfriends/

instagram.com/erinshopefor/

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 17 - finding Gratitude in a Divine Detour Apr 22, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Lori Ann Wood, who lives with her husband in an empty nest in beautiful Bentonville, Arkansas. Having discovered a serious heart condition almost too late, Lori Ann writes and speaks to encourage deep faith questions along the detours of life. She has been awarded the Frederick Buechner Narrative Essay Award, and awards from the Evangelical Press Association as well as from Colorado Christian Writers. Her work has been published in several anthologies and numerous print and online venues, including The New York Times, The Christian Century Magazine, Just Between Us Magazine, Bella Grace Magazine, Truly Magazine, and Pepperdine University Press. Lori Ann’s first book, Divine Detour: The Path You’d Never Choose Can Lead to the Faith You’ve Always Wanted, was recently published by CrossRiver Media. It quickly became #1 New Release on Amazon in Christian Spiritual Growth and in Personal Growth & Christianity. The book has won four international book awards. We take a look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this inspiring episode!

Website: https://loriannwood.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/loriannwood/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DivinelyDetoured
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClsYrW5KIUqMBVvRxzNZG5Q
Free Resource, 5 Prayers & Promises When You Can’t Talk to God: https://loriannwood.com/hope/
More Info: Books Page, including book trailer and first chapter free - https://loriannwood.com/books/

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 16 - Finding Gratitude in the Pain and the Purpose Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Dr. Michelle Bengtson, a hope concierge! Whether as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, host of the award-winning podcast Your Hope-Filled Perspective, or the author of several award-winning books, including Hope Prevails and Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, her passion is to share hope and encouragement with others.Her newest release is The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms. She loves all things teal, spending time with friends and family, taking long walks, or sitting by quiet shores, and it’s a bonus when any of those are accompanied by sea salt caramel chocolate! You can find her and her hope-filled resources at DrMichelleB.com

For more hope, stay connected with me at:
Website: https://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com

Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/category/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/DrMichelleBengtson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Drbhopeprevails/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson

Podcast: https://apple.co/2madPRo or https://bit.ly/3ef2fvs

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3w64SHF

*Theme Music "Blessed Time" by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 15 - Finding Gratitude in Every Word of the Story Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Becky Antkowiak, a writer, speaker, editor, Compassion International advocate, and enthusiastic Grammar Floozy. A lifelong serial extrovert, Becky believes every stranger is a friend she hasn’t met. Fair warning: if you make eye contact, you may be friends for life.

She’s the Chief Encouragement Officer of 540 Writers Community—a free group for writers focused on studying craft, sharpening skills, and sharing encouragement for the writing journey.

When she’s not writing or finding ways to connect people, you can find her demolishing, rebuilding, and creating alongside Patrick, her best friend and husband of 20 years.In her spare moments, she binge-listens to audiobooks while eating salted caramel anything.

https://beckyantkowiak.com/join-the-540-writers-community/

Conference Links:
Carolina Christian Writers Conference March 8-9, 2024 (Special Day for Pastors – March 7) https://www.fbs.org/christian-writers-conference/
Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference May 26–30, 2024 https://www.blueridgeconference.com/
Write to Publish June 11–14, 2024 https://writetopublish.com/

***This is a coupon code for Write to Publish It gives the user $25 off and supports 540 - Use BLUE2024.***

540 Writers Community Link: https://540writerscommunity.com/
540 Writers Community Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/540writers

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 14 - Finding Gratitude Living Unhurried Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Megan Evans. She and her family live in Tennessee, where she serves as the women’s ministry director at her church. An author and blogger with a heart for discipleship, Megan writes, speaks, and teaches women about enjoying God in each busy day. Her writing has been featured on Proverbs31.org, Crosswalk, and is the new author of the book Permission to Walk: A 4O Day Journey to Unhurried Peace. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this incredible episode!

www.unhurrymyheart.com
https://www.facebook.com/unhurrymyheart
https://www.instagram.com/megan.m_evans

*Theme Music "Blessed Time" by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 13 - Finding Gratitude in a Joyful Perspective Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

This week I speak with Yvette Walker, the host of the Positively Joy podcast and founder of Positively Joy Ministries at positivelyjoy.com. She published the life lesson-filled devotional “Whispering in His Ear” and its companion study and discussion guide in 2021. She can be found on social media at Positively Joy Podcast. Yvette is an Opinion journalist and a former Dean of Students at the University of Oklahoma. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame. She has been a newspaper editor, a news ombudsman, a reporter, and a podcaster and has supervised online content management systems for two websites. She is a native of Chicago and now lives in Kansas City. We look at her childhood up to the present to see the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode.

www.Positivelyjoy.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/positivelyjoypodcast
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/positivelyjoypodcast/
Blog: https://ywalker.substack.com/

*Theme Music, Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 12 - Finding Gratitude Counting up to Christmas Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Jennifer Elwood, who hosts the Refuge Podcast and Bible Study Community, where women cultivate their faith in the shelter of God’s Word. This Yakima, WA resident is a lover of Jesus, wife of Tom, mom of three, and bonus mom and grandma. She’s a travel fanatic and coffee addict and enjoys nerding out on Biblical context when studying the Bible. Going to Israel for the first time in 2015 sparked her desire to write, and she has not stopped since. She’s the author of Counting Up to Christmas: Twenty-Four Gifts from the Gospel of Luke and Counting Up to Christmas: The Companion Cookbook.

Link to Life Changing Stories
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Stories-Faithfulness-Transforming-ebook/dp/B0CGGGR3J7/ref=sr_1_2

www.jenniferelwood.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Season 7 - Episode 11 - Finding Gratitude Cultivating a Deeper Walk with God Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

This week I speak with Kari Minter, a pastor’s wife, an author, and a bible teacher who is passionate about helping people cultivate a deeper walk with God. With over a decade of experience teaching in public schools and a Masters in Theological Studies, Kari is known for her deep theological insight delivered in a helpful and practical way. You can find her discipleship course as well as Bible studies and helpful resources on her website. Her latest Bible study will be released in January 2024 through Hosanna Revival. When she is not writing and teaching, you can find her supporting her three teenagers, planning outdoor adventures, or reading a good book. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life.

Link to Life-Changing Stories:https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Stories-Faithfulness-Transforming-ebook/dp/B0CGGGR3J7/ref=sr_1_2

Www.kariminter.com
Instagram: @krminter
Facebook: @cultivatingresources
Threads: @krminter

*Theme Music “Blessed Time”

Season 7 - Episode 10 - Finding Gratitude Going From Guilt to Grace Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

I speak with Dawn Ward, a speaker, writer, and biblical life coach. She founded The Faith to Flourish, a ministry that equips women to thrive by providing inspiring teaching, coaching and biblical resources to help them cultivate resilient faith, grow through adversity and live transformed lives. As part of the mission of The Faith to Flourish, she also ministers to women with loved ones struggling with addiction, mental health issues, and life-destructive behaviors. Dawn is the co-author of the book “Still Standing After All the Tears Workbook: Faith in the Battle Edition, a contributing author for the devotional Shepherd on Duty, and is currently in the process of writing her first solo book, From Guilt to Grace: Freedom and Healing for Christian Moms of Addicted Children (ETA third quarter 2024). Dawn has been married to her husband, Steve, for over forty years and is mom to three adult children. Her passion is to help all women grow in their faith as they learn to understand better the Bible and how to apply it to their lives. Connect with Dawn at The Faith to Flourish on most social media platforms.

Link to Life-Changing Stories:

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Stories-Faithfulness-Transforming-ebook/dp/B0CGGGR3J7/ref=sr_1_2

Social Media links:

HTTPS://www.thefaithtoflourish.com
HTTPS://www.Facebook.com/thefaithtoflourish
HTTPS://www.instagram.com/thefaithtoflourishblog
HTTPS://www.instagram.com/dawnr.ward
HTTPS://www.Twitter.com/faithtoflourish
https://youtube.com/thefaithtoflourishwithdawnward

Season 7 - Episode 9 - Finding Gratitude in Transformation Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

This week, I speak with Ronne Rock, who weaves themes of transformative hope into everything she shares on page and stage. She travels globally to cultivate stories of transformation with Orphan Outreach. Ronne is an author and speaker—offering road-tested wisdom about grace-filled leadership and discovering your God-crafted design and purpose. And as a teacher and mentor, Ronne offers writers and other creatives insight on how to safeguard your soul in a world that delights in demanding it from you. Her poignant stories are included in a number of anthologies, and she is the author of four books, including One Woman Can Change the World: Reclaiming Your God-Designed Influence and Impact Right Where You Are. An Oklahoma gal by birth, Ronne now lives in the Texas Hill Country with her family. We look at her childhood up to the present to see the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won't want to miss this captivating episode.

Learn more about Ronne by visiting her website or following her on Instagram.

https://ronnerock.com/product/one-woman-can-change-the-world/

Life Transforming Stories link

https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Stories-Faithfulness-Transforming-ebook/dp/B0CGGGR3J7/ref=sr_1_2

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