Tara Dew is an educator, author, and mother of four. Tara discusses the difference between joy and happiness, and the importance of cultivating intentionality versus balance. Her insights offer a refreshing perspective on finding lasting peace and contentment through faith, even amidst life's daily challenges.

Quotes

“I have learned that your circumstances do not determine joy.” - Tara Dew

“Happiness is a state of being that often is equated with our circumstances. Joy is not. Joy described all through the Bible as being something that is like an anchor. It's this hope that we have, it is this state of peace and rest that's not found in our circumstances, but rather is found in the love of God.” - Tara Dew

“Joy is constant. It is something that can never be taken away. It's something that you can never lose, and it's something that you can have even when your world seems like it's falling apart.” - Tara Dew

“I truly believe that the biblical concept of hospitality is really when we just open up our hearts and our homes and our lives to other people, and we showcase the goodness and faithfulness of God to us.” - Tara Dew

“I love this idea of how God takes nothing and makes it everything, because that's what He's done in my life.” - Tara Dew

Guest’s Links

Tara Dew’s Facebook

Tara Dew’s Instagram

Tara Dew’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

At first, Monica Swanson wasn’t excited about the possibility of educating her kids at home. Sparked by her eldest son's request, Monica began to see the unique benefits of personalized education and how it has helped her sons flourish. She debunks some common myths about homeschoolers, and gives practical tips for parents considering this path.

Quotes

“Over time as you homeschool, the confidence builds. As you see their character developing and you see their faith growing, you start to realize this is so much more than just scratching things off a list that they would get if they went to a traditional school. This was building something really beautiful in all of us.” - Monica Swanson

“My boys have really grown up with the ability to ask questions, dig in, and find the answers. I've seen my kids dig their roots even deeper, stand strong, and know what they believe because they had that time at home. They had the ability to really wrestle with things in their teenage years so that their faith was that much stronger when they went out into the world.” - Monica Swanson

“As a homeschool mom, I think it kind of adds a special way of seeing God's love, because I get to see it in my children every day as they learn something new, as we overcome challenges and adversities, as we grow together, as I see those light bulb moments.” - Monica Swanson

“God's in everything and everywhere, but I think it's easy to miss if we're too hectic, too busy, too distracted. It's that choice to slow down for me, to open God's Word, to get my kids to take the time to start their day with God's Word and prayer. His love is everywhere.” - Monica Swanson

“I want to simply lead my children to Jesus. I want them to learn to sit at His feet, to understand His love for them and to just simply know that they're called to come to Jesus. Then as they grow up, as they develop more skills, as they understand God's Word, they'll be ready and equipped and prepared to go out into the world and make disciples.” - Monica Swanson

Guest’s Links
Monica Swanson’s website

Monica Swanson’s Facebook

Monica Swanson’s Instagram

Monica Swanson’s Twitter

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Before his current position, Christopher Beth, director of The Bucket Ministry, didn’t know what he didn’t know. Unaware of how severe the world’s water crisis is, and how many people are affected by a seemingly hopeless situation, his eyes were opened on a mission trip to the Amazon. Christopher felt moved to show love through tangible help and got involved in ways to provide clean, safe drinking water for those who need it—opening a door to hope and connection.

Quotes

“I thought I was just going to be chaperoning my child on this trip, but what happened on that trip changed me, because I got to see things I was not expecting. I saw people without hope.” - Christopher Beth

“God [was] opening my heart and softening my heart. I learned just how big the problem is from the water side and from the spiritual side as well.” - Christopher Beth

“I believe that is maybe some of the greatest illustrations of God's love—wanting His people to be healthier. I think because of His love, He has allowed me to see where He's working and He's allowed me to join in that work. I've gotten to see miracles happen firsthand.” - Christopher Beth

“I know I can't be perfect, but if I show people how I live by trusting Him and obeying Him, I don't have to be perfect. If they see me doing good things, if they see me worshiping God, if they see me being righteous, they will know who He is through my actions.” - Christopher Beth

Guest’s Links
The Bucket Ministry

The Bucket Ministry Instagram

The Bucket Ministry Facebook

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Joshua Project

REI

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Jay Hewitt is a pastor, author, and motivational speaker. At the age of thirty-seven, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, but despite the prognosis, he drew strength from his faith in God and embraced his calling as a storyteller—sharing his remarkable journey of striving to participate in the Ironman Triathlon while fighting cancer. Together with his wife and daughter, he continues to inspire others with his resilience, unwavering faith, and empowering messages, reminding us of the limitless strength we possess.

Quotes

“I've always used story as a driving force in my preaching and as a storyteller. God has given me a pretty remarkable story to tell.” - Jay Hewitt

“All of these waves of life were just crashing all around me, and Jesus spoke to my soul and said, ‘Be still.’ And it obeyed him, and the grace that that was for me was unbelievable.” - Jay Hewitt

“I now move forward in life knowing whatever I face—because I still have a terminal disease, there are still so many scary things that I'm facing—I know that if God is with me and if He's displaying His strength through my weakness, I can still accomplish the callings that He has put on my life.” - Jay Hewitt

“Every time that I prayed for God to give me strength and to help me, He sent me one of His people. Now when I'm really struggling and I pray the one word prayer, ‘Help,’ I look around to see who God is sending to help me. I also hope that God will use me and will send me to help others.” - Jay Hewitt

“I am strong because I want to help people learn to not only bear others' burdens, but to allow people to bear their burdens, to find a way to admit how weak they are so that they can become strong. Not only will they experience God's strength, they'll also experience God's love.” - Jay Hewitt

“God's going to put dreams in your heart and a calling on your life. Do not be surprised when the enemy tries to steal those dreams and calling and kill your faith. Hold on to the hope of Jesus in His power. Get up, stay strong, and press on. I promise you, you will experience and see that nothing is impossible for God.” - Jay Hewitt

Guest’s Links
Jay Hewitt’s website

Jay Hewitt’s Instagram

Jay Hewitt’s Facebook

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Dunkin’ Donuts

Ironman Triathlon

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Raised in a family deeply rooted in ministry, Tim Ross's path to preaching and leadership was not a part of his own plans, but unfolded naturally through deep searching and examination of his convictions. Through his podcast, speaking engagements, and writing, Tim speaks to the power of small acts of kindness in changing lives and reflects on the true measure of success—finding the peace that passes all understanding.

Quotes

“I like to remind people that we can all change the world around us.” - Tim Ross

“We have an opportunity on a daily basis—our proximity to our neighbors, to our family, and our friends gives us the opportunity to really identify what a person needs. Just being prompted by the Holy Spirit and genuine acts of kindness, [we can] meet those needs in a way that allows them to receive and to feel God's love.” - Tim Ross

“Jesus is literally taking off glory and putting on humanity so that He can dwell among us. He goes on to say, ‘If you're going to be the greatest, you will be the servant of all.’ So, the reward for reaching the top in the Kingdom of God, according to Jesus, is that you get to serve everybody.” - Tim Ross

“It's very important for us to remember God's love for us on a day-to-day basis, because it orients how we navigate through our days, and ultimately, through our lives.” - Tim Ross

“When we carry that recognition of God's love every day, what we realize is we're not trying to perform for His love, we're performing because we are loved. That shift changes the way that we see ourselves and others.” - Tim Ross

Guest’s Links
Tim Ross’ website

Tim Ross’ Instagram

Tim Ross’ Facebook

Tim Ross’ YouTube

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
LAPD

U.S. Postal Service

Ace Hardware

Matthew 3

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

When musician and restaurant owner Gabe Scott unexpectedly contracted a brain infection, he and his wife Keely knew they’d have a long road back to their normal lives. But what they didn’t anticipate was his continued memory loss, and how their story would become both beautiful and hard at the same time, even as they put the worst behind them. The Scotts share how they’ve learned to hold sorrow and joy together, and how to find happiness in the smallest of victories.

Quotes

“My prayers were just give me a date to just expect [Gabe’s memory loss] to be gone. We quickly learned once we got home and were in those first few months of recovery, that was not going to be what our future looked like. It's really unpredictable, which has been the hardest—and the most beautiful thing—to live in the moment.” - Keely Scott

“We live with both a beautiful story and a hard story at the same time. It was such a freeing moment for both of us to still carry the sadness, but to recognize the beauty and who we've become.” - Keely Scott

“Our job is to continually keep sowing and digging in hope and in perseverance, knowing that what Jesus said is true. And that along the way, we keep finding treasures of His love and friendship. And we're just digging in hope.” - Keely Scott

Guest’s Links
Gabe Scott’s Instagram

Keely Scott’s Instagram

Gabe Scott’s Facebook

Keely Scott’s Facebook

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Compassion International

Ladybird Taco

Andrew Peterson

Andy Gullahorn

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Lincoln, Isaac, and Bailey from the band The Arcadian Wild share how music can be a collective experience that draws us all together—no matter our backgrounds, beliefs, or experiences. The trio shares their unique process in leaving space in their songs so that people can bring their own stories and insert themselves into it, creating beautiful, grace-filled moments.

Quotes

“I learned early on that there's something beautiful about taking a step back and looking at something as a whole—it's the sum of its parts that are making it really special. After we've all kind of put our fingerprints on the song, it's going to be so much better and so much more beautiful than anything that I could have done alone.” - Isaac Horn

“Whenever we're hit with an idea to write a song, it's a very, very personal thing. Whenever we put it out into the world, we kind of let go of what we intended it to be, and we kind of open it up so the song becomes a new song every time a new person hears it. They meet the song with their own stories.” - Isaac Horn

“I think that there's a certain degree of responsibility as a songwriter to make sure that there is space in the song and in the story for someone to insert themselves into it. That's when I really feel wrapped up in something that's bigger than myself.” - Isaac Horn

“As the performers, we bring something different to the table each night. Maybe we've had a great day, maybe our tanks are really full, or maybe it's really close to empty. Everyone who is in the room with us brings something really unique to the table, too. But all of that kind of comes together and sings in a really, really beautiful way.” - Lincoln Mick

“I think we're just trying to be awake to the unique things that God is doing in those little moments—knowing that we've never experienced them before and we'll never experience them quite that way again.” - Lincoln Mick

Guest’s Links
The Arcadian Wild website

The Arcadian Wild Facebook

The Arcadian Wild Instagram

The Arcadian Wild Twitter

The Arcadian Wild YouTube

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Lipscomb University

“Civil War” by The Arcadian Wild

Tourette syndrome

ADHD

Andrew Peterson

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Through the ups and downs of working in the music industry, singer/songwriter Jess Ray has seen God’s grace most exemplified to her in other people who’ve lent her a hand along the way. By choosing to take a people-centered approach to life, Jess has found how friendships can open doors and how they also inspire a truer and deeper aspect to her music.

Quotes

“Music and my relationship with God was very intertwined.” - Jess Ray

“It's really the kindness of so many people over a long time, giving me a shot, getting to learn from them, and honing my craft—learning from people who are so good and have walked this road in front of me.” - Jess Ray

“At this point, I'm just continuing to try to make art that is compelling to me, that feels true and authentic, and that's not afraid to push against the boundaries of what we might say. I see God in everything.” - Jess Ray

“I realize literally there is no greater job than our part to play here. I'm like, I don't want to be playing for thousands of people. I would rather be writing music for people to play on their very worst days and helping them get through that.” - Jess Ray

“When it comes to seeing God's love in the things around me, it normally starts with accepting today as a gift and not being in such a hurry with my own plan that I'm only frustrated when things don't go the way I want—instead having this heart that is open to what God will bring into my day.” - Jess Ray

“Honestly, a big shift for me the past few years has been a change to being people-centered, to shape my life around caring for people and what they need is something that does not necessarily come naturally for me. But when I've shifted my heart around that, I'm flooded with the love of God in the people around me.” - Jess Ray

Guest’s Links
Jess Ray’s website

Jess Ray’s Facebook

Jess Ray’s Instagram

Jess Ray’s YouTube

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Christa Wells

“Held” by Natalie Grant

Jenny & Tyler

Third Day

Brandon Heath

Ben Shive

Andrew Peterson

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram

Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

Sally’s Instagram

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*