It’s the most wonderful (and hectic) time of the year, friends! In today’s Advent episode, Jessica and Melissa dive deep into what it really looks like to make room for Jesus in our busy lives. From practical tips to heartfelt reflections on gratitude, rest, and dependence on God, this episode is full of encouragement for your season. Plus, we reflect on Mary’s extraordinary role in God’s rescue mission and ask the question: Are we saving room for the King in our own lives?

What You'll Learn:

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Welcome! The Advent series continues—preparing Him room.

01:17 - Gratitude: Shifting from striving to stewarding what you already have.

03:40 - Mary’s story: God’s greatest rescue mission entrusted to a young girl.

06:43 - The Big Five: A nighttime gratitude practice that changes everything.

10:00 - Slowing down: Making rest a daily practice, not just a Sunday ritual.

12:32 - Making room: Practical ways to prioritize time with God (even 2 minutes!).

17:03 - A new perspective on “there’s no room in the inn” and how it applies today.

19:51 - Feeling stuck in Scripture? Tips to bring the Word of God to life.

25:00 - The treasure hunt mindset: Finding gold in every conversation and message.

30:24 - Closing reflections: Honoring God by making space for Him.

Quotables:

“We often hear there was no room in the inn, but the truth is… there was room. They just didn’t save any for Jesus. Are we doing the same in our lives?”

“To mature in the Kingdom, we go from independence to dependence on God. And that only happens when we make space to delight and trust in Him.”

“Making room doesn’t always mean finding more time—it means stewarding the time we already have with intentionality.”

Resources Mentioned:

Let’s honor God by making room for Him—because we do have room. See you next week for the final Advent episode. Wild out, y’all!

This week on Girls Gone Holy, join hosts Jessica Shakir, Melissa Lea Hughes, Tamra Andress and Natalie Petrosky as they dive into the beauty, mystery, and marvel of Advent. From the anticipation of Christ's birth to the deep connection between Genesis and the Gospel, they explore how this season of spiritual preparation shapes us. Join them as they celebrate the rhythm of Advent and prepare our hearts for the ultimate arrival of Jesus.

Get ready for a mix of theological wonder, practical tips, and a dash of Christmas nostalgia. Plus, find out how Mary’s readiness inspires us today. This is an episode that will bless your Advent journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

MEMORABLE QUOTES:

TIMESTAMPS TO NOTE:

IDEAS MENTIONED:

- ⁠⁠Book: Why the Nativity⁠⁠ by David Jeremiah

- ⁠⁠Book: Home Run by Kevin Myers and John Maxwell

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:

Find it here.

Love this episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and share the podcast to help others find this space of faith, fun, and inspiration. See you next week for another deep dive into the wonder of Advent.

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In this episode of Girls Gone Holy, we explore the meaning and traditions of Advent, a time of spiritual preparation and anticipation for the birth of Jesus and his second coming. Join us as we discuss how to celebrate Advent in a meaningful and personal way, whether you're new to the tradition or looking to deepen your practice.

KEY THINGS FROM THE EPISODE:

- [00:00] Understanding Advent:

- Advent comes from the Latin word meaning "coming" or "arrival."

- It is a season of spiritual preparation, celebrating the birth of Jesus and anticipating his return.

- [00:37] Personal Experiences with Advent:

- Hosts share their personal journeys with Advent, including first-time experiences and family traditions.

- Discussion on making Advent a meaningful practice rather than a commercialized event.

- [03:35] Advent Traditions and Practices:

- Lighting candles each week to symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.

- Engaging in a 25-day devotional from December 1st to December 25th.

- [04:58] The True Spirit of Christmas:

- Emphasizing the presence of Jesus over presents.

- Encouraging listeners to focus on the spiritual significance of the season.

- [05:39] Involving Children in Advent:

- Ideas for making Advent engaging for children, such as using a Christmas tree Advent calendar.

- Teaching children the true meaning of Christmas beyond commercial traditions.

- [09:06] Addressing Commercialization:

- Concerns about the commercialization of Christmas and Advent.

- Suggestions for maintaining the spiritual focus of the season.

- [11:30] Closing Thoughts:

- Encouragement to embrace Advent as a season of reflection and anticipation.

- Invitation to share Advent experiences and look forward to the next episode.

IDEAS MENTIONED:

- Why the Nativity

- Felt Christmas NativityTree

CALL TO ACTION:

- Share your Advent traditions with us on social media.

- Stay tuned for more episodes exploring faith, family, and the beauty of the season.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through Advent. We hope you find inspiration and joy in this season of anticipation. Wild out!

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Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 This special episode is all about gratitude—the kind that transforms, heals, and anchors us in God’s sovereignty. From the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17 to honoring the legacy of our dear friend Janice Rogers, this episode is a heartfelt reminder to give thanks in all circumstances.

Episode 51: Thanksgiving Reflections - A Heart of Gratitude

This special Thanksgiving episode is all about gratitude—expressing it, embracing it, and living it out. As we reflect on Luke 17 and the story of the one healed leper who returned to thank Jesus, we’re reminded that true gratitude isn't just felt; it's expressed. Together, we honor the beauty of thankfulness in every season of life, even amidst challenges and grief.

We also take time to remember our dear friend and podcast manager, Janice Rogers, whose legacy of joy and excellence continues to inspire us. Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones or navigating loss, this episode encourages you to lean into gratitude as a pathway to freedom and joy.

Key Points:

Whether you’re preparing your turkey or taking a quiet moment to reflect, this episode will bless you with encouragement and hope this Thanksgiving.

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Join the hosts of the Girls Gone Holy Podcast in this momentous 50th episode as they reflect on their incredible journey and share their vision for the future! Milestones like reaching 50 episodes are rare in the podcasting world, and the hosts express their heartfelt gratitude and mission to draw listeners closer to Jesus through meaningful conversations.In this episode, they highlight the top 5 most listened-to episodes, including the pilot that introduced their mission, a deep dive into building wealth, discussions on hope arising, and insights into loneliness and intimacy. As they prepare for a short sabbatical to celebrate Advent uniquely, the hosts reveal their excitement for upcoming content focused on grace and holiness in the new year.

Tune in to hear personal stories, scriptural insights, and plans for creating a vibrant community where women can embrace their wild, free spirits while living a life of holiness. Don’t miss this inspiring celebration filled with hope, purpose, and a heartfelt prayer for your journey ahead!

In this heartfelt episode of the Girls Gone Holy Podcast, host Jessica Shakir delves into the profound theme of suffering and how we can grow through pain. Sharing her personal journey of recovery from a recent physical injury, Jessica reflects on the lessons learned during her challenging 'crash course in suffering.' She emphasizes the vital importance of surrendering to God, praying through difficulties, and embracing intimacy with Jesus in our darkest moments.

Join Jessica as she reveals 12 key lessons, including the beauty of suffering in its connection to eternity, the necessity of community support, and the importance of keeping our minds focused on Jesus. This episode wraps up with a powerful prayer for healing, restoration, and revival for all listeners. Discover how suffering can be an invitation to deepen your faith and connect with others as you navigate life's challenges together.

Tune in and find hope in the midst of pain!

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As we step into the final months of 2024, join Tiffany-Alyse Accardi, Melissa Lea Hughes, Tamra Andress, and Jessica Shakir in this uplifting rebroadcast of the Girls Gone Holy Podcast. In this powerful episode, the hosts delve into the theme of "Hope Arising," reflecting on the challenges faced in 2023 while igniting anticipation for the breakthroughs that lie ahead.

Listen as Tamra and Melissa share their personal journeys, highlighting the transformative impact of community and prophecy in nurturing faith and sustaining hope during difficult times. Jess captivates the conversation with her inspiring story of overcoming the fear of man to launch a groundbreaking interfaith film project centered on womanhood, uniting voices from diverse backgrounds—Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, and Christian—to create a beautiful tapestry of understanding and connection.

Explore how beauty transcends borders and strengthens the bonds among women, as Jess unveils the heart behind her project. Together, the hosts navigate the essence of hope, grounded in God's unwavering faithfulness, while encouraging listeners to let go of striving and embrace the possibilities that await.

Tune in for a soul-stirring episode that resonates with the heartbeat of hope, inspiring you to carry the light into the rest of 2024 and beyond!

In this empowering episode of the Girls Gone Holy Podcast, hosts Tamra Andress and Melissa Lea Hughes discuss the vital importance of Christians boldly sharing their faith and stepping out of the shadows. They express their concerns about the silence of many believers in the face of misleading messages from non-believers and encourage listeners to authentically voice their stories, struggles, and journeys.

By sharing both the highs and lows of their faith, Christians can impact others and create healing spaces. Tune in as Melissa and Tamra offer practical tips for overcoming fears of self-promotion and emphasize that your voice has the power to change atmospheres and lead others to Jesus. It's time to stop playing small and start sharing your light!

In this rebroadcast of one of the most popular episodes of the Girls Gone Holy Podcast, hosts Christin Kingsbury, Tamra Andress, Jessica Shakir, Natalie Petroskey, and Melissa Lea Hughes dive deep into the topic of building wealth from a Christian perspective. They discuss how financial prosperity aligns with biblical principles and God's desire for His people to thrive.

This episode emphasizes that wealth is not about greed but about being good stewards of resources to bless others and further God's kingdom. Tune in for practical strategies on wealth management, overcoming a scarcity mindset, and embracing an abundance mentality while prioritizing generosity and mentorship.

Discover how to align your financial decisions with God's guidance and use your resources to make a meaningful impact!

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In this insightful episode of Girls Gone Holy, host Melissa Lea Hughes discusses the transformative power of life's 'valley' seasons. Using personal anecdotes and powerful analogies, Melissa encourages listeners to view their challenges as temporary seasons of growth rather than permanent identities.

She shares a poignant story about her daughter's Christmas wish, illustrating how our limited perspectives often contrast with God's grander plans. Drawing parallels between our personal growth and a caterpillar's metamorphosis, Melissa emphasizes that the most profound transformations often occur in the most challenging times.

Tune in to discover how leaning into the pain and seeking God's purpose in your struggles can lead to significant growth and fulfillment of your divine calling.

Join us on Instagram!  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/girlsgoneholypodcast/⁠