Lamplight

Kristi Thompson lost her parents at an early age and struggled for decades with the grief. She shares a moving account of a moment at a CFO retreat when she finally grieved the loss of her parents after 35 years. It was through the safety of the CFO community that she was able to process this long-held grief and begin to heal. Kristi learned that a loving Christian community can act as family, and provide the support we need when our earthly family is no longer present. This talk was recorded in July 2025 at Singing Hills CFO.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://cfonorthamerica.org/give Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Jenni Piatt has participated in many communion services. In this talk, she shares some personal, often humorous stories about the ritual of Communion. Jenni helps us see how the process of taking, blessing, breaking, and giving very much mirrors our spiritual journey as Christians. We are reminded that this process isn't perfect or sterile, but a real, sometimes messy experience. This talk was recorded in February 2025 at the North Florida CFO.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://cfonorthamerica.org/give Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

What does the word martyrdom mean to you? In today’s Lamplight story, Alex and Ashley Crane talk about martyrdom in everyday life. Might our "daily cross" be as simple as obeying God in the present moment? It is when we lay aside our own will and pride in loving obedience to God and what He’s asked us to do. Alex and Ashley remind us that God provides sufficient grace for the present moment - for the moments when we are laying down what we want so others get what God wants them to have right then. We are invited to be gentle with ourselves and gentle with others as together we learn to follow Jesus.This talk was recorded in June 2025 at Black Hills CFO.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here.Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Have you been challenged with unwanted thoughts? With fears that prevent you from moving ahead with your life? Nate Riley shares a candid testimony about his journey from being a "casual Christian" to deeply embracing his faith. He recounts his lifelong struggle with social connections, personal sins, and later, severe intrusive thoughts that significantly impaired his life. This talk was recorded in June 2025 at Black Hills CFO.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here. Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Chel Finn shares a humorous and personal account of her experiences from this past year. From the whirlwind weddings of three of her children in just five months, and her personal support of her friend battling leukemia and a fall on black ice sets her up to face unexpected challenges in everyday decisions. This talk was given in June 2025 at Shrine Mont CFO.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://cfonorthamerica.org/give Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Alex Crane shares a deeply personal reflection on the concepts of glory and homecoming through the lens of his own life experiences. Alex learned that true glory lies in serving God's kingdom and that home is found wherever God is present, even in challenging circumstances. This talk was given in June 2025 at Black Hills CFO.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://cfonorthamerica.org/give Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Brian and his wife had a deep desire to serve the Pine Ridge Reservation community. They extended an extraordinary invitation to a woman seeking a new life after jail. Their initial months together were a testament to faith and transformation. Their story also included the often overwhelming challenges faced by individuals with extensive histories of abuse and the significant emotional and psychological toll such situations can take on caregivers.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://cfonorthamerica.org/give

Rabbi Steven Galiley felt unqualified for going into ministry. It was not what he had planned for his life. When he submitted his application to seminary, he was also hoping he would be rejected. That would solve the problem. Steve didn’t have a full understanding of what lay ahead. Yet, attending seminary and the years of ministry that followed proved to be a crucible for living through numerous challenges. They changed how he viewed himself, and his purpose. Most importantly, these life experiences taught him the value of prioritizing obedience to God over everything else.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here.Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Have you ever thought about what characterizes humility? Is there a way we can live that makes life better for others? At the CFO Shrine Mont camp in 2024, Adam Maddock shared about his spiritual journey, which resulted in a stronger faith. Examining his life's social, theological, and personal influences, he concluded that following Jesus is less about achieving a specific outcome and more about embracing The Way He lived.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here.Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock

Please be aware that this episode discusses the sensitive topics of abuse and suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. If these topics are challenging for you, we encourage you to exercise caution or consider an alternative Lamplight talk.Have you ever wondered if your friendship matters? Kari Carroll, bravely recounts her journey through childhood trauma and the tragic loss of loved ones. Yet these experiences underscore her faith in God, which has provided her with unwavering strength. This story illustrates the profound impact friends can have and the importance of having a community. Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url Production team: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Nathan Rogers

Andrea and Dan use personal stories and insightful biblical interpretations to illustrate God's unwavering love and pursuit of all people, regardless of their flaws or circumstances. They emphasize that God's question, "Where are you?", is about the state of our hearts and our relationship with Jesus, urging us toward openness, vulnerability, and trust in His hesed love.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url Production Crew: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock and Nathan Rogers

Dan Terrones shares about the importance of trusting in God's plan. There was a pivotal moment of surrender in his life when he decided to follow God's leading, no matter where it took him. This decision took him on a journey of learning to lead in ways he had not expected. Dan’s story is a reminder that even when things don't go as expected, we must be brave and follow God's lead. It will always be best.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url Production Team: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock and Nathan Rogers

In this talk, Pam Morse explores the multifaceted nature of time, contrasting chronological time with opportune moments. When we seek God's guidance to recognize and act on Kairos moments, we are given opportunities for God's kingdom to manifest in our lives and others. Let’s listen as Pam shares about living with purpose.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visitCFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast bydonating here.Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock and Pam Morse

In today’s talk, Brandon Pierce reflects on the effect of the loss of his mother during his childhood. He describes how God's pursuit of him revealed the truth that even in his pain, he was never alone. God had not deserted him. This realization transformed Brandon's heart toward God and his understanding of God's love.Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url

In today’s talk, Scott Hobbs shares about his life and his discovery that there are two sides to our journey. Scott challenges us to consider where we find our fulfillment. Is it in what we are doing? Or in who we are doing it with? Instead of waiting for something - our waiting is given meaning when we realize we’re waiting for God to take us - wherever we’re to go next. Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url

In this talk, Cheryl offers a transparent glimpse into her life, from who she is to the challenges she and her family face daily. Cheryl shares how the highs and recent lows of having a son with autism, has shaped her faith, and her trust in God. Her experiences have shaped her, and her drive to live fully in the promises of God have provided the guidance she has needed in the dark days and years of questions with no answers. Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here. Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Cheryl Finnegan and Adam Maddock

In this talk, Chris Cooper explores the importance of acknowledging and remembering people who have been the face of Jesus for us. People who because they were in our lives for a time changed us. Chris shares about the creative force of the Trinity, and the surprising beauty of darkness. As you listen, consider what benevolence means to you. Might there be more meaning and purpose to grace and goodness than we often assume? Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VF2A36M8RWHY6&source=url

Are there times when doubt and fear have crept into your thoughts? How do you find hope when circumstances seem to predict otherwise? Brian Robertson was a man of hope. In this talk, he shares how in the midst of daunting situations, his posture of peacefulness came from trusting Jesus. Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here. Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Adam Maddock, and Brian Robertson

What does it mean to trust God with your future? What happens when your plans are not working out and it seems God isn’t hearing your requests? Bobbi Jo Hogue shares on Lamplight podcast how God has been changing her, from the inside out, impacting her perspective and her decisions. Song: No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus by Steffany Gretzinger Spotify YouTube (Lyric video) Apple Amazon Watch Bobbi Jo's talk on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g10tTli8H2U Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting this podcast by donating here. Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Michelle DeChant, Bobbi Jo Hogue, and Adam Maddock

We all have prayers that seem to go unanswered. It seems that God is ignoring them, or us. When there seems to be silence… and we’re desperate for something to change. Ashley Crane shares her story of how God used Time to unfold His plan for her while teaching her to trust Him when it seemed He wasn’t listening. Lamplight is a podcast from CFO North America. Please visit CFONorthAmerica.org to learn more about our retreats, and personal growth courses. Please consider supporting us. Contributors: Ayden Carpenter, Ashley Crane, Michelle DeChant, and Adam Maddock