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What if there was no angry innkeeper in the nativity story? Despite what Christmas pageants might suggest, Jesus was likely not born in a stable, and Mary and Joseph were probably not rejected by an innkeeper.

Kaitlyn takes a closer look at Luke's nativity account, exploring what Scripture actually says about mangers, guest rooms, animals, and family—and why those details matter. What may seem like a small detail about Jesus' birth location reveals something much bigger about power, empire, and the surprising way God enters the world through humility, vulnerability, and nearness.

0:00 - Theme Song

2:01 - Was Jesus Born in a Barn?

6:03 - No Guest Room Translation

13:45 - Sponsor - World Relief - Go to https://www.worldrelief.com/kaitlyn

15:30 - Beautiful Chaos

22:10 - Why Bethlehem?

33:52 - End Credits

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What if the pressure to prove yourself isn’t part of God’s plan for your creative life? We walk through a simple, Scriptural process to leave perfectionism, comparison, and anxiety behind and step into a new kingdom way of creating—one rooted in mind renewal, daily partnership with the Holy Spirit, and bold, faithful action.

We start with the anchor: Romans 12:2 and the daily practice of renewing your mind. From there, we unpack five core Scriptures every Christian artist can memorize and declare. Colossians 1:13 reframes your identity—you’ve been transferred out of darkness, so your art no longer has to live under scarcity or performance. John 10:27 promises guidance—“My sheep know my voice”—so decisions in the studio and business can flow from listening instead of guessing. 2 Timothy 1:7 breaks the fear loop with power, love, and a sound mind, giving you courage to choose and move. Philippians 4:13 restores confidence that you can do what God actually calls you to do because His strength meets you in the work. And 2 Peter 1:3–4 shatters the starving-artist myth: through knowing Him and embracing His promises, you already have everything needed for life and godliness.

Along the way, we share practical ways to live this out: simple pre‑studio prayers, daily declarations that rewire your inner narrative, and a “next faithful step” approach to projects, pricing, and promotion. Expect an honest look at common mental traps—feeling behind, chasing trends, or stalling for perfect clarity—and clear tools to replace them with peace, listening, and steady momentum.

If you’re ready to shift from frantic hustle to fruitful flow, this conversation will help you align your heart with truth, hear God’s voice, and create from love instead of for love. Subscribe for more episodes that blend spiritual formation with practical creative strategy, and share this with a friend who needs the reminder: you’re not behind—you’re being led.

Find out more about The Created to Thrive Foundations Course 

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While we are out for Christmas break, we've compiled some of our favorite Dave and John calls from the past two years. Enjoy your Thanksgiving and we'll be back with a live show on Monday!

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Sharon Hodde Miller discusses entering ministry with idealism that is crushed when people break your heart and leave your church.

Plus, she discusses how to keep your heart engaged, learning to fight...

Read the whole entry... »

Sharon Hodde Miller discusses entering ministry with idealism that is crushed when people break your heart and leave your church.

Plus, she discusses how to keep your heart engaged, learning to fight cynicism, and how to know when to speak into culture and when to keep silent.

   Show Notes

 On The Rise Newsletter

️ Preaching Cheat Sheet

The Art of Leadership Academy

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 15

Christmas is spelled L-O-V-E, as it reflects God's ultimate gift of love through Jesus Christ as described in John 3:16. Love is crucial for using spiritual gifts effectively.

Adrian Rogers says, "The real mark of the spirit-filled life is love."

1 Corinthians 13 unveils three main aspects of love.

The Virtues and Indispensability of Love

Love is absolutely indispensable, with no substitute. Without love, other highly valued attributes or actions are rendered meaningless:

Oratory or speaking with tongues becomes like sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (v. 1)

Prophecy, understanding mysteries, and knowledge are as nothing. (v. 2)

Faith, even faith that can move mountains, is "nothing" without love. (v. 2)

Feeding the poor (bestowing all goods) or martyrdom (giving one's body to be burned) profit nothing if not motivated by genuine love. (v. 3)

Adrian Rogers says, "What our Lord is looking for more than people who will die for their faith, is people who will live for their faith, and show that living by loving."

The Characteristics of Love

These are described in verses 4-5: love is portrayed as having specific qualities:

Patient ("suffers long"); a lack of patience indicates a lack of love.

Kind, described as "love in the little things" and courtesy.

Not jealous ("envies not"); willing to give credit and praise others.

Humble ("not puffed up"); able to apologize and forgive.

Not rude ("does not behave unseemly").

Unselfish ("seeketh not its own"); focusing on showing love rather than personal gain.

Even-tempered ("not easily provoked"); an "evil temper" is highlighted as significantly damaging to Christian society.

Not suspicious ("thinks no evil"), avoiding paranoia or "mud-slinging".

The Victory and Eternality of Love

1 Corinthians 13:4 states simply, “Love never fails.”

It is eternal and will never pass away, unlike prophecies, tongues, and knowledge, which are temporary. Faith and hope find their fulfillment in Heaven, but love endures and is perfected in Heaven.

Love is the greatest virtue, the greatest commandment, the greatest testimony, the greatest motivation, and the greatest confirmation of salvation. Jesus' disciples will be recognized by their love for one another (John 13:35).

Apply it to your life

Prioritize demonstrating patient, kind, humble, and unselfish love in all aspects of your life. It is the most indispensable and enduring virtue, far better than any other achievement or gift.

When thinking of holiday celebrities, many names come to mind—but only one truly matters. Dr. Tony Evans redirects our focus to Jesus Christ, explaining why His name stands above every other name and why His arrival changed everything.