The Flourishing Life with Tina Avila

We usually think of the prodigal as the one who leaves. But what if staying home is its own kind of lost? Tune into this episode where Tina explores the familiar story of the Prodigal Son with a deeper exploration into the self-righteous first son. Click HERE to read the blog version of this episode.

This blog/podcast sat in my drafts for AT LEAST 5 months because it was really hard to wrestle through some of the ugly inside me. Now that it's out in the world... let me know your thoughts or if you can relate!Click HERE for the reader's version including links to previous relevant blog post episodes. 

We'll be exploring laments today! Largely because of my personal experience. Here's my working definition of lament: An expression of heartbreak or grief because something you are experiencing does not line up with what you understand about God. Click HERE for the reader's version and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

It was around this time 7 years ago that we listed our home in Montreal in anticipation for setting a new course in life.In today’s blog + podcast, I share about the experience of uprooting my life to a new town, some of the internal struggles along the way, and what helped my troubled heart in the process.Click HERE for the reader's version, share your thoughts in the comments, and share with a friend too!

Why do bad things happen to good people? It's a tired question with no real answer. For some thoughts on the highs and lows of life, keep tuning in! And click HERE for the reader's version!

There are some things you really just have to experience for yourself to understand. Food, travel, love, parenthood... and following Jesus is one of them! Tune in to find out more.Click HERE for the reader's version!

On this Easter weekend, we'll dig into Philippians 2:5-11 as we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and discover what His resurrection means for us today! Click HERE for the reader's version and have a wonderful Easter! He is risen!

Many of you know about my recent struggles with anxiety… and social settings seem to be a trigger. Despite this, I feel SO strongly about the importance of Jesus’ followers to gather for fellowship and time in God’s Word together! So if you’re looking to be inspired in this, keep tuning in! I know what a hard season we’ve been through. I also know God has GOOD for us if we’ll seek it out. Let me know your thoughts in the comments! Click HERE for the reader's version. 

If you're into C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia then this episode is for YOU! Tune in to explore one of C.S. Lewis' most famous quotes and see how it can relate to us!Check out the reader's version by clicking HERE! 

Happy Ash Wednesday! It's the first day of Lent! I'm doing something a little different with this episode so if you're looking to do something meaningful during Lent, tune in to find out more! You can also find the reader's version by clicking HERE!

When I was a high school teacher, I hated to admit that I didn’t know the answer to answer a question. I would respond with the line, “that’s beyond my realm of knowledge” and hope to move on with my ego intact. But as the saying goes, “the more you know, the more you don’t know!”And I’m learning to make peace with that.Tune in for some thoughts on what IS important to know and a peek into what is currently my most favourite story in all the Scriptures.Don't forget to click HERE for the reader's version too!

This episode is titled, Isn't She Lovely - a small nod to one of my favourite songs by Stevie Wonder. But in this episode we'll explore the source of our loveliness and how this affects our day to day lives. Tune in to find out more! For the reader's version, click HERE!

“I don’t deserve this.” It’s a phrase many of us whisper—or shout—when life takes a painful turn. But Scripture tells a different story about suffering. In this post, we explore how God can work through the trials we’d never choose in order to bring about something far more lasting. Tune in for more!Click HERE for the blog version of the episode.

When you read the Bible, how do you know what really matters? In this post, we explore how repetition is used in Scripture to help us recognize God’s voice and uncover what he’s emphasizing for our lives today. Tune in for more!Click HERE for the blog version of this episode.

Ever feel like God is silent when you need him most? The book of Esther tells a story where God is never mentioned—yet his fingerprints are everywhere. In this episode, we explore how the “Silent Partner” is still at work in our lives, even when we can’t hear his voice. Tune on for more!Click HERE for the blog version of this episode.

Are you chasing freedom—or becoming who you were designed to be?In this episode, we unpack what it means to be chosen by God and called with purpose. You’re not free to become whoever you want—you’re empowered to become who you were always meant to be. Tune in for more!Click HERE for the blog version of this episode.

Are you leaving behind something sour or sweet?In this episode, I share the sweet legacy of a woman who carried Smarties in her purse—and what her quiet faithfulness taught me about intentional presence and leaving a sweet legacy. Tune in for more!

What does it mean to truly live free from comparison?This episode examines the tenth commandment, envy, and contentment by offering biblical insight into how satisfaction grows when God—not comparison—is at the center. Tune in for more!Click HERE for the blog version of this episode.

“They soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His plan to unfold.” (Psalm 106:13) This episode is about remembering, waiting, and trusting God when silence feels unbearable. Tune in for more!Click HERE for the blog version of this podcast.

There was life before the fire… and life after. Faith milestones can shape us—but they’re not meant to sustain us forever. In this episode, I wrestle with what it means to keep seeking God when the noise dies down and the feelings fade. Listen to After the Fire.Click HERE for the blog version of this episode.