Presence Over Presents: Traditions, Treats, & Treasuring Christmas

Have you mastered the art of treasuring moments? In this episode, you will hear how to savor the reason for the season this Christmas. So Good Moments: Favorite Christmas traditions, treats, and even fails!How to master the art of treasuring sweet moments. The good news when God seems silent. How Pastor Lisa is finding gifts within the Christmas story.Why abiding in Jesus will mature our joy…and more!Discussion Questions: What stood out to you in this episode? What is one of your favorite Christmas traditions? How do you choose presence with God and others when life gets busy? What helps you trust God when He seems silent? What is one of your favorite holiday treats or recipes?Resources: Advent Devotional RecommendationsSisterhood Christmas RecipesShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Are your expectations getting in the way of God’s best? In this episode, Donna Pisani shares how to hold on to God’s promises. So Good Moments: Why it’s important to work on developing your confidence in Christ. How to become a lifelong learner.  How God answered one of Donna’s prayers in an unexpected way.What it looks like to grow in Spiritual maturity. How to hold on to God’s promises tightly and your expectations loosely. Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? In what ways have you had to develop your confidence in Christ?Have you ever thought “I should be further along by now”? How so?What helps you trust God with the outcome when your answer to prayer isn’t happening the way you expected (or on your timeline)? What is one thing you are believing God for right now? Resources: More From Donna PisaniShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

What God-sized dream lives in your heart? In this episode, Olympic athlete Chaunté Lowe shares her journey of faith and resilience. So Good Moments: Chaunté’s journey from a young dreamer to an Olympic high-jumperHow God’s Word helped Chaunté through her battle with breast cancerWhy you should never follow someone else’s definition of successChaunté’s best advice for staying healthyWhat Chaunté values more than medals…and more! Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? What is one obstacle you’ve faced while pursuing your dream? How do you guard yourself against following other people’s definition of success (instead of God’s)? What are some ways you pay attention to the soil of your heart (pull the weeds and plant the right seeds)? Just for fun, if you could become an Olympic athlete, what sport would you choose? Resources: More From Chaunté LoweShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Who is influencing you? In this episode, you will hear how to examine technology, social media, and the relationships impacting your life.So Good Moments: The red and green flags when it comes to those we allow to influence us.The difference between success and faithfulness. The popular weapon that isn’t helpful for spiritual warfare. How to guard against celebrity culture and seek wisdom instead.What the Apostle Paul says about living a life of impact…and more! Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? What is the difference between success and faithfulness? What are some guardrails and guidelines that you have for technology and social media? (Or what are some that you want to implement?)What is another “green flag” when it comes to someone you allow to influence you? Karissa mentioned she used to want to be a lawyer (and that was her idea of making an impact) before God called her into ministry. What did you want to be when you were younger? How has your idea of making an impact changed over the years?Resources: A Christian Response to AI & TechnologyShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Are you putting the Word to work? In this episode, you will hear how to be filled with God’s Word so you can react instead of respond.So Good Moments: The poem Charlotte Gambill wrote about God’s Word.How God’s Word helps us overcome our insecurity and find our identity.Practical ways to put the Word to work in your life.Why it’s vital to react instead of respond.Why reading God’s Word is like looking in the mirror…and more!Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? How has God’s Word impacted your life? How has the Bible helped you understand your identity? Why is it important to react instead of respond? Just for fun—have you ever written a poem? If so, what was it about?Resources: Hear More From CharlotteCharlotte's PoemShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

What anthem will you carry into battle? In this episode, Pastors Todd and Julie share how worship can become a weapon.So Good Moments: Pastors Todd & Julie play a game of “Name That Tune.”The foundation that Pastor Todd set as Christ Fellowship’s first worship leader. Why you need an anthem for difficult seasons. How worship confuses the enemy and gives you perspective. The special moment Pastor Julie had worshipping with her mom…and more! Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? How has worship helped you during difficult times? Have you ever had a song that became an anthem for you during a rough season?How does it fuel your faith to know that God is fighting for you?Just for fun—what is your favorite throwback worship song?Resources: Ageless Anthems: An Old School Worship Playlist3 Surprising Benefits of PraiseShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

God is powerful, but did you know He’s also personal? In this episode, you will learn how to trust God with the little details of your life. So Good Moments: The pitfalls of seeing God as powerful but not personal.How to remind yourself that God is bigger than your problems.Practical ways to pray—even for the little things. Why God not only loves you, but He likes you. The parenting epiphany that helped Pastor Julie realize how much God loves us…and more! Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? In what way have you seen God as powerful, but maybe not personal? When is a time in your life when you had to remember that God was bigger than your problem?What are some of the little things you pray for? What is one prayer God has answered lately that you feel grateful for? Resources: How to Pray Book by Pete GreigShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? In this episode, you will hear how to trust God with situations beyond your control. So Good Moments: How to get God’s clarity and vision and lens for our lives.Why God wants to give us so much more than solutions to our problems. The treasures God brings into our lives during dark times.Why the battle you are in is less about your problem and more about your purpose.How to avoid becoming spiritually blind…and more! Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? What is one way you can fix your eyes on Jesus rather than your circumstances?What are some situations where you have felt like you don’t know what to do?What lens did you used to see your life through, and how has it changed? Pastor Julie talked about how God brings treasures (people) in the darkness. Who has been a treasure in your life? Resources: Shownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

What if your calling isn’t about talent but about faithfulness? In this episode, Christine Caine shares about the power of endurance.So Good Moments: How ordinary steps of faithfulness led Christine to where she is today. Why the church is God’s gift to us to fulfill our calling and His purpose. How showing up when you don’t feel like it leads to endurance that lasts.How what you are faithful with today prepares you for what God has for you tomorrow. Why God is a generational God and how Christine is witnessing that powerful truth today. Why maturity is about so much more than age…and more! Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? What is something small from your past that prepared you for what God has for you today? What is one thing that’s built your spiritual endurance? What do you hope God continues to grow and develop in you for the future? How has God’s church been a gift to your life? Resources: Hear More From Christine CaineShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Are you letting doubt derail your destiny? In this episode, Pastor Todd shares about how uncertainty can lead to greater faith.So Good Moments: Why Pastor Todd learned how to depend on God during his time of doubt.Why God can handle our humanity and questions.Why writing the book was therapeutic for Pastor Todd.Advice for when you are doubting God, yourself, or others.What Pastor Todd wishes he had room to include in the book…and more!Discussion Questions: What was your favorite part of this episode? In what ways has doubt led to greater dependence on God?Have you had a situation that made you doubt others? How did you work through it?What does the life of Joseph teach us about doubt and our destiny? What was your favorite book you read this summer?Resources: Don’t Let Doubt Take You OutSisterhood NightsShownotes PlusLearn more about Sisterhood Ask a QuestionAll Episodes© 2022 Be Essential Songs (BMI) / Jord A Lil Music (BMI) / Doejones20 (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.