In this episode of the Grace Grit Glory Show, host Jennifer Weiss introduces Judge Mark Russo, who shares his powerful testimony of transforming from a troubled childhood to a position of authority through faith and perseverance. Russo recounts his tumultuous upbringing including being voted most likely to be the garbage man in the 8th grade. His life was marked by family tragedies and personal hardships, including living in his car and physical abuse. Despite numerous setbacks, he discovered his faith in God, which guided him through various life challenges, including moving out at 14 and working multiple jobs to survive. Mark discusses how his journey from chaos to order was marked by moments of divine intervention and personal surrender to God's plan. He also shares his experience in politics and judiciary, emphasizing grace, mercy, and the importance of forgiveness. The episode concludes with a prayer for parents and children struggling with life's challenges, encouraging them to trust in God and find hope in His plan.

Grief and Grace––A Mother’s Journey

In this episode of the Grace Grit Glory Show, host Jennifer Weiss welcomes Lori Murphy, who shares the heartbreaking yet inspiring story of losing her daughter Olivia. Jennifer and Lori discuss the importance of recognizing mental health struggles in youth, the intense process of grieving, and how faith and community support can provide solace. Lori shares valuable advice for parents on how to be present for their children and the significance of surrender and trust in God during difficult times. They highlight Lori's nonprofit efforts to support grieving parents and emphasize the crucial message that our stories can bring light and glory to God. The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer for those struggling with loss and mental health issues.

Lori began a non-profit in Olivia’s honor www.joymom.org if you would like to contribute to the cause.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Prayer

01:53 Meet Lori Murphy

03:20 Lori's Daughter Olivia

04:48 Signs of Struggle and Mental Health

08:56 Coping with Loss

10:23 Faith and Trust in God

26:53 Supporting Bereaved Families

31:43 Closing Remarks and Prayer

Summary

In this episode of the Grace Grit Glory Show, host Jennifer Weiss and guest Diana Burks share a powerful conversation about overcoming tragedy and finding triumph through faith. Diana recounts her personal journey of loss, particularly the death of her brother, and how she processed her grief with the help of her strong faith and the support of her family. They discuss the importance of sharing struggles, the power of prayer, and the necessity of choosing joy and trust in God during difficult times. The episode culminates in a heartfelt prayer for healing and freedom, encouraging listeners to believe in God's love and power to transform their lives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Prayer
00:19 New Chapter
00:32 New Chapter 2
02:54 Diana's Journey and Ministry
06:02 Tragedy to Triumph: Diana's Story
12:15 Processing Grief and Finding Courage
18:13 Overcoming Fear and Panic Attacks
25:46 The Power of Scripture in Overcoming Fear
29:13 Recognizing Your Value in the Midst of Darkness
33:04 The Journey to Freedom from Fear
37:38 The Importance of Choices in Healing
40:41 Accessing Joy and Trusting God
46:13 Prayer for Healing and Deliverance
50:42 01 podcast grace grit glory.mp3

I support Diana's ministry and hope you will consider doing so as well. Please follow the link to learn more: https://www.godgirlsgreatness.com

This episode is sponsored by Dove Publishing House.

A special note from Diana:

Hi Grace Grit Glory Partners! although I might now know many of you, I wanted to say thanks for listening to the episode and introduce myself.

I’m Diana Burks, a child of God, also known as Mom, wife, author, female entrepreneur. My roots are in Colorado where I grew up. I lived in a perfect picture of God’s artistry and was blessed to spend many days in the mountains on a boat, on skis or on a motorcycle. I was taught to love His creation and His ways. I have devoted parents who invested selflessly into me. My mom made our home a place we felt loved and safe. She did the fun things before Pinterest was a thing… pancakes shaped like an L or dyed to match the holiday. We were given freedom to roam, play and experience childhood with parents who covered my sister and I in prayer. My dad was a successful builder and developer, but I can’t remember a dinner he missed. Life, as it always does, came with ups and downs, but my parents showed us how to navigate this with faith.

I left Colorado to study at University of Kansas (Rock Chalk! 🌾🌾🌾) and then from there to graduate school at University of North Texas … and I stayed. My path to real estate wasn’t straight, but it was full circle. My first job ever was cleaning my dad’s show homes and preparing them for the sales person/agent to show. From 14 years old through high school I worked for Jensen Homes during school breaks doing everything from marketing to accounting assistance. But the best was getting to go to appointments with my dad. Walking dirt that had just been broken, hearing about the plans for homes. Seeing my dads passion for this,

for people. So fast forward… and here I am… back to houses, back to people.

I am always SO grateful to those who trust me with buying and selling. It’s one of the biggest purchases people make in a lifetime and I take this seriously. I am excited for 2025 and cannot wait to help people - that’s what is at the heart of my job. So if you’re still reading this, 😅 thank you!! Lord, let all that I do in 2025 honor YOU!