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