In this episode, Shannon discusses the profound and challenging nature of biblical love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. The conversation emphasizes that true love is not about feelings but about becoming more like Christ. It critiques the current state of love among believers, highlighting the need for a return to sacrificial, agape love that reflects God's character. The host explores the importance of love in spiritual gifts, the futility of sacrifice without love, and practical applications of love in everyday life. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to embody love in their interactions and relationships.

takeaways

• Biblical love challenges and stretches us.
• Love is about who we are becoming, not just feelings.
• The world is watching how we respond to conflict.
• We need to repent for weaponizing our words.
• Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional.
• Without love, our gifts are just noise.
• True impact happens when God's love flows through us.
• Love shifts the focus from us to God and others.
• What does love require of me? is a guiding question.
• Love is the priority; without it, everything else is meaningless.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction to The Better Way

03:49 | The Challenge of Biblical Love

07:12 | Understanding Agape Love

10:01 | The Importance of Love in Spiritual Gifts

12:58 | Sacrifice Without Love is Meaningless

16:12 | The Heart of Love in Action

20:54 | Practical Applications of Love

23:44 | Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of the Everything Made Beautiful podcast, Shannon welcomes Christian music legend Babbie Mason. They discuss Babbie's impactful music ministry, her journey of faith, and the power of worship. Babbie shares her new book 'Each One, Reach One', emphasizing the importance of sharing faith with confidence and kindness. The conversation highlights the significance of personal stories in evangelism, the Great Mandate from Matthew 5, and concludes with Babbie's vision of a perfect beautiful day.

Takeaways

• The power of worship can transform a congregation.
• Sharing faith requires confidence and boldness.
• Kindness opens doors for sharing the love of Jesus.
• Every believer has a unique story to share.
• The Great Mandate calls us to shine our light.
• Mary Magdalene exemplifies the role of an evangelist.
• Worship is a full-body experience that connects us to God.
• God uses our gifts to reach others.
• Life is a journey of faith and obedience to God.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction and Personal Connection

09:11 | The Journey of Songwriting and Ministry

14:55 | Living Faith Out Loud: The New Book

23:49 | Discovering Your Unique Gifts

31:45 | Shining Your Light: The Great Mandate

39:57 | Mary Magdalene: The First Evangelist

Links
Babbie's website: https://babbie.com/
Babbie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babbiemason/?hl=en
Babbie's book: https://shop.davidccook.org/products/each-one-reach-one-babbie-mason-david-c-cook

In this episode of Everything Made Beautiful, Shannon discusses the theme of sacred choices, focusing on the significance of small yeses and no's in our lives. This episode emphasizes that even the smallest acts of obedience can lead to profound changes and that God delights in our faithfulness, especially in unseen moments. Shannon shares biblical examples and personal reflections on how small beginnings can shape our character and prepare us for greater assignments. This episode encourages listeners to embrace their small yeses and recognize their eternal significance.

keywords
sacred choices, small beginnings, obedience, faithfulness, spiritual growth, unseen yeses, character development, God's will, private obedience, ripple effect

takeaways
Small beginnings can lead to significant changes in our lives.
God delights in our small acts of obedience.
Preparation seasons are essential for character development.
Overnight success can be a dangerous illusion.
Private faithfulness is honored by God.
Listening for God's voice requires a heart of surrender.
Every small yes contributes to a greater story.
Obedience is a response to the grace we've received.
Small yeses can have ripple effects beyond our understanding.
Our sacred choices reflect our relationship with Jesus.

chapters
00:00 | Introduction to Sacred Choices
01:59 | The Power of Small Beginnings
04:08 | The Dangers of Overnight Success
06:30 | Preparation Seasons: A Path to Resilience
08:47 | The Impact of Unseen Yeses
10:44 | The Ripple Effect of Small Acts
12:53 | Quiet Yeses in the Lives of Biblical Figures
15:30 | The Value of Private Obedience
17:12 | Listening for God's Voice
18:57 | Navigating Sacred Tensions
21:24 | The Cost and Joy of Obedience
22:51 | Embracing Small Yeses in Daily Life
25:19 | Conclusion and Reflection on Sacred Choices
27:13 | New Chapter

Reflections Worksheet

In this episode of Everything Made Beautiful, Shannon explores the theme of God's no, emphasizing that it is not a rejection but an invitation to trust in His goodness. The conversation delves into the purpose behind God's no, highlighting three primary reasons: protection, redirection, and preparation. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, Shannon encourages listeners to view God's no as a part of a greater plan, fostering spiritual growth and deeper faith.

takeaways

• God's no is an invitation to trust and grow.
• Even painful no's have a purpose in God's plan.
• God's protection often comes through His no.
• Redirection can lead us to better opportunities.
• Preparation through waiting is essential for growth.
• Trusting God's timing is crucial in our journey.
• God's no can shield us from unseen dangers.
• Our relationship with God is rooted in love and trust.
• Waiting is part of the blessing, not a punishment.
• Every no from God is a step towards something beautiful.

links
Sacred Choices Reflection Worksheet

In this episode of the Everything Made Beautiful podcast, Shannon introduces a new series titled 'Sacred Choices: The Beauty of Yes & No in Every Season.' The discussion centers around the significance of saying yes and no in our lives, drawing parallels to the journey of the Magi and the day of Epiphany along with emphasizing the need for obedience and trust in God. This episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own sacred choices and the impact these decisions have on their spiritual journey.

takeaways

• Sacred choices reflect our trust in God and His will.
• Every yes and no shapes our journey of faith.
• Bold yeses can lead to significant changes in our lives.
• Saying no can be an act of obedience and trust.
• Waiting seasons require discernment and patience.
• Our yeses and nos can change based on our life seasons.
• Sharing our sacred choices can inspire others in their faith journey.

Sound Bites

• "The goal is progress, not perfection."
• "Your sacred choices are acts of worship."
• "May you pause before your yeses and nos."

Chapters

00:00 | Welcome Back and Reflections on the Holidays

04:09 | Introducing Sacred Choices: Yes and No

06:31 | The Journey of the Magi: Choices and Obedience

09:26 | The Power of Yes: Embracing Bold Decisions

14:02 | The Importance of No: Setting Boundaries

15:28 | Waiting Seasons: Trusting God's Timing

17:22 | Reflection and Sharing Sacred Choices

Sacred Choices Reflection Worksheet
Share your story of a sacred choice with us! Email us at: info@shannonsuzannescott.com

In this heartfelt conversation, Shannon Scott and guests Lisa Harper, Christy Nockels, Allison Allen, Laura Cooksey and Masi Willis explore the themes of Advent, the tension between joy and grief, and the importance of community and connection during the holiday season. They discuss the theological significance of waiting and how personal stories of loss and hope can inspire and uplift others. The conversation emphasizes the beauty found in the in-between moments of life, encouraging listeners to embrace both the struggles and the joys of the season.

takeaways

• Advent is a time of waiting and longing for Christ's return.
• Living between two advents means experiencing both joy and grief.
• Grief can be a gift that helps us understand God's character.
• Community plays a vital role in navigating the holiday season.
• The tension of waiting can lead to deeper faith and understanding.
• Personal stories of loss can resonate and provide hope to others.
• The already and the not yet of faith is a common experience.
• Advent encourages us to reflect on God's faithfulness.
• Waiting on the Lord can reveal His creative power in our lives.
• The beauty of the season is found in the quiet and the struggle.

Chapters
00:00 | Living Between Two Advents

10:27 | The Already and the Not Yet

19:17 | The Role of Grief in the Advent Season

31:25 | Finding Hope Amidst Loss

40:24 | Celebrating in the Midst of Singleness

44:55 | Navigating Singleness in a Relationship-Centric World

50:49 | The Distinction Between Being Alone and Feeling Lonely

52:58 | Legacy and the Impact of Loss

57:28 | Blooming in Seasons of Suffering

01:04:28 | Waiting in the Liminal Space of Life

01:13:31 | Intercession and Community Support in Waiting

01:22:47 | Embracing the Advent Season

Links
Christy Nockels' Website: www.christynockels.com
Lisa Harper's Website: www.lisaharper.org
Laura Cooksey's Website: www.tentwosixmusicgroup.com
Masi Willis' Website: www.themasoneffect.com
Allison Allen's Website: www.allisonallen.net
Shannon Scott's Website: www.shannonsuzannescott.com

In this episode, Shannon explores the profound theme of gratitude, especially in the context of Thanksgiving. She emphasizes that true gratitude is not about denial or pretending everything is perfect, but rather about recognizing God's goodness amidst life's challenges. The conversation delves into reframing difficult situations, the role of gratitude in grief, and how it serves as a form of worship. Shannon provides practical steps for cultivating a habit of gritty gratitude, encouraging listeners to express their thankfulness actively and to seek lessons in their struggles.

keywords

gratitude, Thanksgiving, faith, resilience, worship, grief, reframing, thankfulness, spiritual growth, emotional health

takeaways

• True gratitude acknowledges life's imperfections while recognizing God's goodness.
• Reframing is a powerful tool in cultivating gratitude.
• Gratitude can coexist with grief and pain.
• Worship is an expression of gratitude towards God.
• Gratitude is a weapon against negative emotions.
• Practicing gratitude can deepen our faith and character.
• Small acts of gratitude can lead to significant changes.
• Speaking gratitude out loud amplifies its impact.
• Choosing gratitude is a conscious decision, not just a feeling.

Chapters

00:00 | The Essence of Gratitude

06:24 | Reframing Life's Challenges

11:22 | Gratitude as Worship

In this enlightening conversation, Shannon interviews Dr. Donna Pisani, a seasoned pastor and author of 'Entrusted to Lead.' They explore the unique challenges women face in leadership roles, emphasizing the importance of confidence, vulnerability, and the biblical concept of 'Hinene'—a call to surrender. Dr. Pisani discusses the difference between entitlement and entrustment, encouraging women to embrace their leadership calling without seeking permission. The conversation highlights the significance of creating space for others to rise and the transformative power of speaking life and hope into the lives of those around us.

keywords
women leadership, biblical perspective, empowerment, confidence, mentorship, Dr. Donna Passani, Entrusted to Lead, female leaders, church leadership, personal growth

takeaways
Women often struggle with confidence in leadership roles.
The concept of 'Hinene' emphasizes surrender in leadership.
Entitlement vs. entrustment is a crucial distinction for women in leadership.
Leadership is a calling, not a position to achieve.
Internal narratives can be the greatest barrier to effective leadership.
Vulnerability and grace are essential in leadership.
True leadership involves creating space for others to rise.
God equips those He calls, reducing the pressure to hustle.
Women are atmosphere shapers and should speak life.
Mentorship and support are vital for women in leadership.

chapters
00:00 | Introduction and Connection
04:38 | Struggles of Women in Leadership
07:56 | The Concept of 'Hinene' and Surrender
11:06 | Entitlement vs. Entrustment
14:38 | Leadership as a Calling
17:57 | Embracing Your Calling
20:43 | Overcoming Internal Narratives
27:17 | Leading from Vulnerability and Grace
31:22 | Service vs. Self-Promotion
37:11 | God Equips the Called
41:32 | Creating Space for Others to Rise

links
Dr. Pisani's Website: https://www.donnapisani.org/
Dr. Pisani's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnapisani/
Entrusted to Lead Book: https://shorturl.at/MyDkX