Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversations's Podcast

Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversations
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Religion & Spirituality

Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation  is a safe space for anyone who's ever felt overlooked, overwhelmed, or off-track. Through honest conversation, biblical truth, and sisterhood/brotherhood that goes beyond blood, we journey together—restored by grace, grounded in faith, and called for more. Where two faith-filled women dive into real-life topics with honesty, scripture, and sisterhood and brotherhood. It’s where truth speaks, grace covers, and everyone  is welcomed just as we are.  John 1:16 (NIV) “Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” We choose John 1:16 because it reflects the layers of grace we talk about—the redemptive grace, the sustaining grace, the identity-giving grace—and it speaks to the fullness of Christ that we prayer pours into our listeners.  Isaiah 40:31“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” We choose this verse because it emphasizes the strength, endurance, and renewal that come from placing trust in God, which perfectly aligns with resilience, faith, and empowerment within our podcast. It speaks to the idea that, even in challenging times, women can find strength and grace through their faith, soaring above life's difficulties with renewed strength.   “Rooted in truth. Covered in grace. Carried by faith.” 

  1. 4d ago

    "Let November Be a Month Of…"

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! What if November became more than just a month of Thanksgiving? November is a season when we reflect on our blessings, gather with family, and give thanks for everything God has done. But what if this month became an opportunity to grow closer to Jesus, strengthen our faith, and surrender the things we've been trying to control? In this episode of Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation, Shannon and Deb take inspiration from a Facebook post shared by their friend Deanna: “Let November be a month of…” Using each letter of NOVEMBER, we're exploring eight powerful reminders of God's faithfulness: N — New mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23)O — Obeying God's voice (John 10:27)V — Victorious through faith (1 Corinthians 15:57)E — Expecting God's goodness (Psalm 27:13)M — More time with Jesus (Psalm 46:10)B — Believing His promises (Hebrews 10:23)E — Embracing His plan (Jeremiah 29:11)R — Resting in His perfect timing (Ecclesiastes 3:11)Together, we're talking about what it means to be thankful even when life is difficult, how to recognize God's goodness in unexpected seasons, and why obedience doesn't always require knowing what comes next. Sometimes we're so busy thanking God for what He's already done that we forget to make room for what He's still doing in our hearts. Biblical Encouragement: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) Whether you're entering November with a grateful heart, carrying a heavy burden, waiting for an answer, or simply trying to find peace in the middle of everyday life, this conversation is for you. Our challenge to you: Which letter of NOVEMBER speaks to your heart the most? What do you need more of in your relationship with Jesus this month? Join us for honest conversation, biblical truth, encouragement, and prayer as we discover that gratitude isn't just about counting our blessings—it's about trusting the One who gives them. Maybe this November, instead of only counting the fruit, we need to thank God for the work He's still doing in our roots. Because His grace is enough, His love is faithful, and your story is still being written.  CLOSING PRAYER  Heavenly Father, Lord, we love You, and we thank You for bringing us into another month. Father, as we enter November, we want to do more than simply count our blessings. We want to grow closer to You. Thank You for Your new mercies every morning. Thank You that yesterday's mistakes don't have to define who we are today. Lord, help us recognize Your voice through Your Word and give us the courage to walk in obedience, even when we don't understand every step. Remind us that our victory is found in Jesus and that our circumstances do not determine Your goodness. Father, help us slow down. Help us put aside the distractions, the worries, and the busyness of everyday life so that we can spend more time in Your presence. Teach us to believe Your promises, not because everything is going the way we planned, but because You are faithful. And Lord, help us embrace Your will. When our plans change, give us peace. When we have to wait, give us patience. When we feel overwhelmed, remind us that we don't have to figure everything out today. Father, I pray for every woman and man listening. For those who are entering this holiday season with joy, let their hearts overflow with gratitude. For those who are grieving, lonely, struggling financially, or carrying burdens nobody else can see, surround them with Your comfort and guide them toward the help and support they need. Remind them that they are not forgotten. And Father, let this November be a month when we don't just talk about being thankful. Let us live with thankful hearts. Let us be kinder. Let us forgive more freely. Let us love more deeply. Let us serve others. And let us never forget that the greatest gift we have ever received is Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, whatever this month brings, help us walk through it with faith, gratitude, and trust in You. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.  "Sisters, November doesn't have to be a month when we only remember what God has done. It can also be a month when we make room for what He's still doing in us."   "Maybe this November, instead of only counting the fruit, we need to thank God for the work He's still doing in our roots."  We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  2. Oct 25

    You Don't Have to See the Whole Staircase

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! What do you do when God places something on your heart that feels bigger than your resources, your abilities, or even your understanding? You take the next step in faith. In this episode of Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation, Shannon and Deb share an exciting new chapter in their ministry journey: the vision for Unrelated Helping Hands, a faith-based outreach ministry with a heart for individuals facing addiction, abuse, and homelessness. What began as a podcast and grew into the Roots Before Fruit women's conference is now opening the door to something more—a ministry focused on meeting people where they are, sharing the hope of recovery, and connecting those who are struggling with people and resources that can help. But this conversation isn't just about starting a nonprofit. It's about obedience when you don't have all the answers, trusting God with small beginnings, and recognizing that sometimes your greatest ministry begins by sitting across from one person and saying, "I understand. Let me tell you what God did for me." In this episode, we're talking about: The next chapter for Unrelated Sisters: Exploring video podcasting and reaching more people through honest, faith-filled conversations.The vision for Unrelated Helping Hands: Beginning with recovery support and building toward a resource center serving people affected by addiction, abuse, and homelessness.The power of lived experience: Why someone who has walked through recovery can offer meaningful encouragement to someone just beginning that journey.The impact of Roots Before Fruit: How the women's conference touched not only the women attending but also the people helping make it happen.Learning to surrender bitterness: Deb shares how uprooting bitterness has brought greater peace into her home.Remembering God's faithfulness: Shannon reflects on watching her parents trust God during her father's traveling ministry.Obedience without all the answers: Why God may show us the next step without revealing the entire journey.Shannon and Deb also share laughter, honest moments, and the excitement—and nervousness—that comes with stepping into something new. Maybe God has placed a dream on your heart, but you don't have the money, the connections, the building, or the plan to make it happen. Maybe you're waiting until everything makes sense before you begin. This episode is your reminder that you don't have to know how the whole story ends to be faithful with what God has placed in front of you today. Sometimes a calling starts with a conversation. Sometimes a ministry starts with one person willing to listen. And sometimes the biggest thing God asks of us is simply to take the next step. You may not be able to do everything today, but you can be faithful with what God has given you today. Join us as we talk about faith, recovery, surrender, ministry, and trusting God with the vision—even when we don't know exactly how it will unfold. These scriptures reinforce the themes in your recorded conversation. 1. Zechariah 4:10 — Don't despise small beginnings "For who hath despised the day of small things?"You talked about not being able to begin with the entire resource center you envision. But starting with a conversation, a recovery support meeting, or one person needing encouragement still matters. A small beginning isn't a meaningless beginning. 2. Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust God with the unknown "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."You don't yet know every detail of how Helping Hands will grow. This scripture reminds us to seek God's direction rather than depend entirely on our own understanding. Faith and careful planning can work together. 3. James 1:22 — Faith that moves into action "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."Your conversation moves from sharing what God has done in your lives to asking how you can serve others. Faith isn't just something we talk about; it should influence how we live and love. 4. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — Comfort others with the comfort you've received This passage teaches that God comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. That's the heart of your recovery outreach vision: people who have experienced difficult seasons offering understanding and encouragement to others walking similar roads. 5. Galatians 6:9 — Don't grow weary in doing good "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."Building a ministry takes patience, persistence, and discernment. Progress may be slow, but faithful service matters even when the results aren't immediately visible. Encouragement for your listeners Sister, what has God placed on your heart that you've been afraid to begin? Maybe it's a ministry. Maybe it's reaching out to someone who is struggling. Maybe it's sharing your testimony, forgiving someone, or finally taking that step you've been praying about. And maybe the reason you haven't started is because you can't see how it's all going to work out. You don't have enough money. You don't have the right connections. You don't know where to begin. But here's something I want you to remember: You don't have to carry the weight of tomorrow's assignment while you're trying to be obedient to today's. Sometimes we become so focused on the big picture that we overlook the person God has placed directly in front of us. You may never stand on a stage. You may never lead a large organization. You may never have hundreds of people listening to your testimony. But what if your story is exactly what one hurting person needs to hear? What if the very thing you survived becomes the testimony that helps someone else believe they can survive too? God doesn't waste the comfort, wisdom, and compassion we gain through difficult seasons. And you don't have to wait until everything is perfect to begin serving. Pray. Seek wisdom. Prepare responsibly. And take the next faithful step. Because sometimes the most meaningful ministry doesn't begin with a microphone, a building, or a crowd. Sometimes it begins with two people sitting across from each other, and one saying, "I've been where you are. You're not alone." Heavenly Father, Lord, we love You, and we thank You for another opportunity to come together, share our hearts, and talk about the things You are placing before us. Father, thank You for the vision of Unrelated Helping Hands. Thank You for every door You have already opened through this podcast, through the women's conference, and through the people You have brought into our lives. Lord, we don't know exactly what this ministry will look like. We don't know where the building will be, where every resource will come from, or how every detail will work out. But Father, we know that we can bring every decision before You. Give us wisdom to recognize the right opportunities. Give us discernment to know when to move forward and when to wait. Bring the right people into our lives—people who have hearts for serving, who understand the importance of compassion, and who want to help others find hope. And Lord, I pray for the person listening today who is struggling with addiction. For the person who wants to change but doesn't know where to begin. For the woman or man living in fear, experiencing abuse, or wondering where they're going to sleep tonight. Father, help them find safety, support, and people who will treat them with dignity. Remind them that their story isn't over. That their past doesn't have to determine their future. And that asking for help is not something to be ashamed of. Lord, help us never forget where You brought us from. Keep us humble. Keep our hearts compassionate. And remind us that this ministry is not about recognition, numbers, or how big something becomes. It's about people. It's about loving our neighbors. It's about serving those who are hurting. And it's about showing others the grace and mercy You have shown us. Father, for everyone listening who has a dream or calling on their heart, give them the courage to take the next step. When they feel overwhelmed, give them peace. When they feel inadequate, remind them that they can seek Your wisdom and strength. When they don't know what tomorrow holds, help them be faithful with today. And Lord, just as You continue working in our hearts, help us continue growing in obedience, patience, We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  3. Oct 18

    A Love Story Written by God To the Moon and Back, From East to West

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! What if the greatest love story isn't about finding someone to love you, but discovering that you were already loved by God? On October 17, 2015, I married the man I believe God sent into my life. But our love story began long before our wedding day. In 2012, when a friend told me I would marry him, I laughed and said, "He's too good for me." I didn't realize how much those four words revealed about the way I saw myself. In this special 11th anniversary episode of Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation, I'm sharing how Jesus was healing my heart, teaching me to forgive myself, and showing me that I didn't have to change who I was or prove my worth to be loved. In this episode, we're talking about: Learning to love yourself through God's eyes: How Jesus was helping me release shame, forgive myself, and recognize my worth.When love feels different: What it meant to date someone who made me feel safe, respected my boundaries, and never made me feel pressured.Honesty, mistakes, and grace: How hiding my struggle with smoking taught me that someone can be disappointed in you without mistreating you.The look I'll never forget: The moment the doors opened on our wedding day and I saw the love in my husband's eyes—a look he still gives me eleven years later.To the Moon and Back, From East to West: How my husband's sweet words of love connect with Psalm 103:12, the song East to West by Casting Crowns, and the forgiveness Jesus offers.Hope for those still waiting: Why being single doesn't mean being forgotten, and why you never have to settle for a relationship that costs you your peace or identity.This isn't a story about a perfect marriage or two perfect people. It's a testimony about healing, friendship, forgiveness, healthy love, and the faithfulness of Jesus. My husband used to tell me, "I love you to the moon and back." But Jesus taught me that His forgiveness reaches as far as the east is from the west. Whether you're married, single, divorced, healing from heartbreak, or wondering if true love will ever find you, this episode is for you. Because your past doesn't define your worth, your relationship status doesn't determine your value, and your story is still being written. Biblical Truth Psalm 103:12 (KJV) "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." God's forgiveness isn't limited by the mistakes we've made. Through Jesus, we can stop allowing forgiven sins to define our identity. 1 John 4:18 (KJV) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casted out fear." God's perfect love frees us from fear of punishment. His character also teaches us what patience, kindness, and respect should look like in our relationships. Psalm 139:14 (KJV) "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Your worth was established by your Creator, not by whether someone chooses to love you. Romans 5:8 (KJV) "But God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus loved us before we could ever earn or deserve His grace. 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 (KJV) "Charity suffered long, and is kind... seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked." Love is patient, kind, and unselfish. Healthy love doesn't require you to lose yourself to keep someone else. Encouragement for Your Heart Sister, don't let the relationships that hurt you convince you that you're difficult to love. Don't mistake being wanted for being cherished, and don't believe that your past mistakes mean you have to settle for less than respect. You don't have to prove your worth through physical intimacy, change your personality to keep someone interested, or live in fear of disappointing the person you love. And if you're still waiting for love, please don't put your life on hold. Marriage isn't the reward for finally becoming worthy. You were already created with purpose and value. Let Jesus continue healing the places in your heart that have convinced you otherwise. You don't have to become someone else to be worthy of love. You have to learn that God already loves you. A Prayer for Marriage, Healing, and Those Still Waiting Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving us before we ever understood what true love was. Thank You for Your forgiveness, Your patience, and the grace that reaches farther than our mistakes. Lord, today I thank You for my husband and the eleven years of marriage You have allowed us to share. Continue to strengthen our friendship, protect our marriage, and teach us to love one another with kindness, patience, honesty, and forgiveness. For every person listening who has been hurt by love, I pray for healing. For those who feel unworthy, remind them that their past does not define them. For those who are waiting for a healthy relationship, give them patience, discernment, and peace. Help them never compromise their worth or identity simply to feel chosen. For marriages that are struggling, bring wisdom, restoration where possible, and the courage to seek the help they need. And Father, for those still carrying guilt and shame, remind them of Your promise in Psalm 103:12—that You remove our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. Teach us to receive Your forgiveness, walk in Your grace, and recognize the love You have already given us. Above all, help us remember that our greatest love story begins with Jesus. In His precious name, Amen. We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  4. Oct 12

    The Little Girl God Never Forgot

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! The Little Girl God Never Forgot | Deanna's Testimony of Healing and Redemption What happens when the little girl who never felt loved finally discovers the unconditional love of her Heavenly Father? In this deeply moving episode of Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation, Shannon and Deb welcome special guest Deanna, who courageously shares her journey through childhood rejection, abuse, addiction, broken relationships, motherhood, and the healing power of Jesus Christ. Deanna spent much of her life searching for love in places that only left her more wounded. But God never stopped pursuing her. Through unexpected people, painful moments of surrender, and a journey of forgiveness, she discovered that true healing begins when we allow Jesus into the places we've kept hidden. We talk about forgiving those who hurt us, learning to forgive ourselves, rebuilding relationships with our children, and understanding that healing doesn't always happen overnight. We also reflect on our recent Roots Before Fruit women's conference and how allowing God to heal our roots changes the way we respond to life's struggles. This episode is for the woman who still carries the pain of the little girl she used to be. You are not forgotten. You are not too broken. And your story is not over. Your past may explain you, but it does not define you. Biblical Truth: Psalm 147:3 — "He heeled the broken in heart, and bind up their wounds." (KJV) Join us for a conversation filled with truth, tears, forgiveness, grace, and the reminder that Jesus still turns broken stories into beautiful testimonies. Psalm 147:3 (KJV) "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."God doesn't overlook our wounds. He cares about the places in our hearts that others may never see. Isaiah 61:3 — God promises beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and praise instead of heaviness. Deanna's testimony reflects this beautiful exchange. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."Our past is part of our story, but it does not have to remain our identity. Romans 8:1 (KJV) "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus..."The guilt and shame we carry do not have the final word over our lives.  Encouragement  To the Little Girl Still Hurting Inside You... Maybe you've spent your entire life trying to prove you're worthy of love. Maybe you grew up hearing words that made you question your value. Maybe you made mistakes as a mother, stayed in relationships that hurt you, or searched for acceptance in places that only left you emptier. And maybe, even after giving your heart to Jesus, you've continued carrying guilt, shame, and wounds you thought you had already healed from. But I want you to hear something today. God never forgot the little girl you used to be. He saw every tear. He knew every hurt. And even when you couldn't recognize His love, He never stopped loving you. Healing doesn't mean pretending the pain never happened. Forgiveness doesn't mean what someone did to you was okay. And restoration doesn't mean everything will look exactly the way you imagined. Sometimes healing means finally releasing what you've been carrying and trusting God with what you cannot change. Deanna's story reminds us that God can meet us in our brokenness, walk with us through healing, and teach us how to love again. You don't have to have everything figured out before you come to Jesus. You just have to be willing to let Him in. You are not who hurt you. You are not your worst mistake. You are not the shame you've carried. You are loved. You are seen. You are valuable. And through Jesus Christ, your story can become a testimony of hope for somebody else. Don't give up on what God is still healing. Closing prayer Heavenly Father, Lord, today we thank You for being a loving Father who sees every broken heart, every hidden wound, and every tear that has fallen when nobody else was watching. Father, I pray especially for the woman listening today who still carries the pain of her childhood. The woman who never felt good enough, who struggled to receive love, or who has spent years blaming herself for things she could not control. Lord, remind her that she was never forgotten by You. For the mother who carries guilt over yesterday, remind her that Your grace is sufficient for today. For the woman struggling to forgive someone who hurt her, give her strength to release the bitterness without believing that what happened to her was acceptable. And Father, for the woman who has forgiven everyone except herself, help her understand the freedom found in Your mercy. Lord, heal the roots of rejection, shame, fear, and insecurity. Replace the lies we've believed about ourselves with the truth of who You say we are. We pray for restoration in families, healing in relationships, freedom from addiction, and peace in the hearts of those who are struggling. Thank You for Deanna's courage to share her testimony. May her story reach someone who believes they are too far gone for Your love. And Lord, remind every person listening that their past does not have to define their future. Continue the work You have begun in us. Teach us to seek Your heart, not just Your hand. We give You our broken pieces, trusting You to make something beautiful from them. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen. One final thought about this episode There is a moment in Deanna's testimony that I think deserves special attention. She shares that her relationship with God truly began changing when she stopped seeking His hand and started seeking His heart. That connects beautifully with Roots Before Fruit. The conference wasn't about making the outside of our lives look better. It was about allowing God to reach what was underneath. We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  5. Oct 5

    Look What God Did: The Conference Is Over, But God Isn’t Finished

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! The conference is over, the decorations are packed away, and we’re standing on the other side of a yes that once came with a whole lot of questions. And all we can say is: Look what God did. In this special post-conference episode, we’re reflecting on the incredible day we shared at the Roots Before Fruit Women’s Conference, thanking every woman who attended, served, prayed, volunteered, supported, and trusted us enough to be vulnerable. But this episode isn’t just a conference recap. We’re talking about what happens after God exposes the root. Healing doesn’t always happen in one moment, and just because you don’t see the fruit yet doesn’t mean God isn’t working underground. We’re also taking time to pray over the prayer requests entrusted to us at the conference—for marriages, children, families, healing, addiction, grief, anxiety, direction, waiting seasons, brokenness, and the private needs only God fully knows. The conference may be over, but God isn’t finished. Keep praying. Keep healing. Keep surrendering. Keep letting Jesus uproot what doesn’t belong and nurture what He planted. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6 We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  6. Sep 20

    “Maybe It’s Not a Weed Anymore”

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! We thought we were preparing a conference about roots. We didn't realize how much God would dig into ours along the way. With the Roots Before Fruit Women's Conference just days away, we're talking about what this journey has uncovered in us—the fear of not being enough for God, questioning whether our desire to serve comes from people-pleasing or purpose, learning when our yes really belongs to God, and discovering roots we thought we'd dealt with a long time ago. Because sometimes God gives us a “stretch assignment” and then starts digging around in the dirt. And just when we think we've dealt with everything, He lovingly reveals another root—not to condemn us, but because He wants us free. We're also talking about grace, finding peace in the middle of chaos, trusting that the right people will hear the message God has given us, and remembering why Unrelated Sisters exists in the first place. It isn't about reaching everybody. If one woman hears our story and realizes, “I'm not alone,” then it matters. This week, we're not coming to you with everything figured out. We're simply two women being grown by the same God we're preparing to tell others about. Maybe He's digging in your roots, too. Biblical truth One of the strongest truths underneath this episode is you do not have to earn God's love. Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us that salvation is by grace through faith, not our works—yet we are also created in Christ Jesus for good works. That distinction fits your conversation beautifully: serving doesn't have to be an attempt to become “enough.” Service can flow because grace has already made us His. Galatians 1:10 also fits your struggle with people-pleasing: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” The heart question becomes: Who am I doing this for? And then there's Romans 11:29: “For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable.” You and Deb touch on that when discussing how a calling can remain even after complicated seasons of someone's life.  Finally, Galatians 6:9 continues to be perfect for this entire Roots Before Fruit season: don't become weary in doing good, because there is a harvest coming if we don't give up.  Encouragement  Maybe you've spent so much time examining your weeds that you've started calling everything about yourself a weed. Maybe the way you love people isn't people-pleasing anymore. Maybe it's growth. Maybe the desire to give isn't you trying to prove you're worthy. Maybe God has given you a servant's heart. Maybe that fire inside you isn't something you need to apologize for. Maybe it's part of who you've become. Yes, ask God to search your heart. Let Him expose unhealthy roots. Let Him uproot insecurity, shame, fear, comparison, control, and the need for approval. But don't become so busy looking for what's wrong with you that you fail to recognize what God has made beautiful in you. Some things need uprooted. Some things need pruned. And some things simply need permission to grow. God's grace isn't waiting for the perfected version of you. His grace is meeting you right here—in the dirt, in the stretching, in the questions, and in the growing. And if your story only reaches one person who desperately needs to know they're not alone? Love that one well.  That's fruit.   Prayer  Father, thank You for loving us enough to work beneath the surface. Thank You for showing us the roots that still need healing, but also for showing us the beautiful things You have planted and grown within us. Lord, search our hearts. If we're serving because we're trying to earn approval, show us. If we're saying yes because we're afraid to say no, reveal it. If we're trying to prove that we're enough, remind us that our identity and worth are found in You. But Father, don't let us mistake the gifts You've grown in us for weeds. Teach us to recognize the difference between people-pleasing and a servant's heart, between striving and obedience, and between proving ourselves and simply walking in the calling You've placed on our lives. Uproot what doesn't belong. Prune what needs correcting. Water what You planted. And grow whatever will bring You glory. Give us courage for every stretch assignment You place before us. And when we wonder whether what we're doing matters, remind us that we don't have to reach everybody. Help us love the one You place in front of us. Let people see Your grace in our stories, Your love in our actions, and Your light in the way we live. In Jesus' name, amen. We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  7. Sep 13

    Content, Not Complacent: Don't Stop Tending the Garden

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! What happens when life feels peaceful—but God starts asking you to move again? In this episode of Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation, Shannon and Deb get real about chaotic weeks, difficult seasons, workplace frustration, the upcoming Roots Before Fruit Women’s Conference, and the difference between being content and becoming complacent. Contentment says, “God, I’m grateful for where I am, even while I trust You with where I’m going.” Complacency says, “I’m comfortable here. I don’t really want to be stretched anymore.” Sometimes the greatest threat to our growth isn't chaos—it's getting so comfortable that we stop tending the garden. Through honest conversation, personal stories, laughter, and biblical truth, Shannon and Deb talk about learning to hear God above the noise, trusting Him when life feels out of control, recognizing that seasons don't last forever, and continuing to grow even when you're comfortable where God has you. Maybe God isn't disturbing your peace. Maybe He's reminding you that there is still more growing to do. Contentment can have peace and still grow. It can rest and still obey. It can be grateful for today while remaining willing to follow God into tomorrow. So ask yourself: Am I truly content—or have I become complacent? Biblical truth The anchor Scripture I'd use is Philippians 4:11–13. Paul says he learned to be content regardless of his circumstances. His contentment wasn't about having an easy life; it came from knowing Christ was sufficient in every circumstance. Then contrast that with Proverbs 1:32, which warns about complacency. That fits the distinction you made in the episode: contentment can still grow, obey, be stretched, and say yes to God, while complacency eventually stops tending the garden.  I'd also include Galatians 6:9 because Deb brings it into the conversation: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” It couldn't fit Roots Before Fruit much better.  And James 1:8 fits Deb's discussion about not wanting to remain double-minded—going back and forth between surrender and trying to control the situation herself.   Encouragement  Maybe you're in a season where nothing is necessarily wrong. You're comfortable. You're grateful. Life isn't filled with the chaos it once was. Thank God for that. But don't confuse the absence of chaos with the completion of your calling. God may have brought you into a peaceful season because you needed rest. He may have allowed your roots to become stronger before asking you to grow again. So don't be afraid when He starts stretching you. Don't mistake stretching for losing your peace. You can be content and still want to grow. You can be grateful for where you are and still say yes to where God is taking you. You can enjoy this season without making it your permanent address. And when everything around you gets noisy, remember: not every voice deserves your attention. Quiet the noise. Tend your roots. Listen for God. The season will change. And when it does, you want your roots healthy enough to go wherever He leads you next.  Prayer  Father, thank You for every season You allow us to walk through. Thank You for the peaceful seasons, the growing seasons, the stretching seasons, and even the seasons we don't understand. Lord, teach us the difference between contentment and complacency. Help us to be grateful for where You have us without becoming so comfortable that we stop following where You're leading. If there are places in our lives where we've stopped tending the garden, show us. If complacency has taken root, give us the courage to let You uproot it. When life becomes loud, help us recognize Your voice above the noise. When circumstances feel chaotic, remind us that we don't have to control everything because You are still in control. Give us the strength not to grow weary in doing good. Give us peace in today's season and faith for the season that's coming. Keep our roots planted deeply in You so that when You say move, we're ready. When You say wait, we trust You. And when You say grow, we don't allow comfort to keep us where we are. We surrender what's next to You. In Jesus' name, amen. We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

  8. Sep 6

    That's Just How I Am... Or Is It?

    Ladies we want to prayer for you. Please take time to share your story or just ask for prayer. We would love to be unrelated sister to you! What happens when God asks you to teach something—and then makes you live it first? With the Roots Before Fruit Women's Conference only weeks away, Shannon and Deb sit down for an honest conversation about what God has been revealing in their own hearts while preparing to encourage other women. Shannon shares how working on the conference exposed areas she thought she had already dealt with—including comparison, old reactions, and the temptation to become the "old Shannon" when people push the right buttons. Deb opens up about realizing that unresolved hurt, feeling disrespected, keeping score, and carrying responsibilities that aren't all hers have allowed bitterness to begin taking root. Together, they confront one of the excuses we sometimes use to avoid transformation: "That's just how I am." But when we belong to Jesus, our history doesn't get the final word on who we are. This conversation is raw, transparent, and unfinished—because sometimes testimony isn't something we share after everything has been healed. Sometimes we're able to say, "God is showing me the root right now, and I'm trusting Him while He teaches me how to uproot it." Neither Shannon nor Deb claims to have everything figured out. In fact, that's part of the message: we still need Jesus just as much as the people we're trying to encourage. KEY BIBLE VERSES2 Corinthians 5:17 — "That's Just How I Am" Isn't Your Identity "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Your upbringing can explain certain behaviors. Your past can explain certain reactions. Pain can explain certain defenses. But none of them have the authority to define who you must remain. Jesus does. Hebrews 12:15 — Don't Let Bitterness Take Root "See to it... that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." This Scripture fits Deb's realization especially well. Bitterness rarely begins as bitterness. It can begin with hurt. Disappointment. Feeling unheard. Feeling disrespected. Unforgiveness. Keeping score. Then, if it remains unresolved, the root begins affecting things that weren't originally connected to the wound. That's exactly how you described the conference imagery: the weed begins wrapping itself around healthy things and choking them. Ephesians 4:31–32 — What Replaces Bitterness? "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." God doesn't simply expose something to shame us. He reveals what needs uprooting so something healthier can grow in its place. Romans 12:2 — God Can Change How We Respond "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Transformation isn't only changing our circumstances. Sometimes God changes our response to our circumstances. Other people's behavior doesn't have to determine our character. Galatians 5:22–23 — What Should Be Growing Instead? "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." This connects perfectly to Roots Before Fruit. Instead of only asking: "What behavior do I need to stop?" Ask: "What fruit is this root producing?" Psalm 139:23–24 — The Prayer Behind the Episode "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." That's essentially what happened while preparing the conference. You started digging into material for other women... and God said: "Before we talk about their roots, let's look at yours." Philippians 1:6 — Healing Isn't Finished "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Finding another root doesn't mean you've failed. It means God is still working. ENCOURAGEMENTMaybe you've said: "That's just how I am." Maybe you're quick-tempered because that's how your family communicated. Maybe you shut down because that's how you learned to protect yourself. Maybe you keep score because you've spent years feeling overlooked. Maybe bitterness has started growing because you've been hurt repeatedly. Maybe you thought you had already healed from something—and suddenly you're reacting in a way that makes you realize there's still something underneath the surface. Don't let that realization become condemnation. Let it become an invitation. Ask Jesus: "Where is this reaction coming from?" Because sometimes the person who upset you didn't create what's coming out of you. They exposed it. And what gets exposed can finally be brought to Jesus. You don't have to remain who you've always been. Your family history doesn't get the final word. Your trauma doesn't get the final word. Your bitterness doesn't get the final word. Your old reactions don't get the final word. Jesus does. WISDOM FROM THIS EPISODE1. "That's just how I am" can become an excuse not to grow. Jesus loves us exactly where we are, but His love doesn't leave us unchanged. 2. You cannot control someone's behavior, but you can surrender your response to God. As Shannon recognized in the conversation, sometimes the lesson isn't about how somebody else acts—it's about how we react. 3. Bitterness grows when pain is allowed to sit unresolved. Pay attention when you're becoming offended by everything, keeping score, withdrawing, or losing your normal joy. Those reactions may be pointing toward a deeper root. 4. You cannot be everything for everybody. Sometimes something isn't your assignment—even when you love the person who needs help. 5. Comparison can distract you from God's actual assignment. The conference doesn't need to look like another ministry's conference. If God called you to reach a particular group of women, faithfulness matters more than creating something impressive. That's a major realization Shannon describes while discussing the conference. 6. You don't have to be completely healed before God can use your story. Sometimes the testimony is: "I'm still walking through this with Jesus." ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SOMEONE IN THE MIDDLEMaybe today you know something needs uprooting... but you don't know how yet. That's okay. You can say: "I don't know yet." There is hope in yet. You don't have to manufacture healing. You don't have to pretend everything is okay. You don't have to have the ending before you're allowed to talk to Jesus about the middle. Bring Him the bitterness. Bring Him the anger. Bring Him the comparison. Bring Him the old identity. Bring Him the reactions you don't understand. Bring Him the things you thought you'd already healed from. And say: "Jesus, show me the root." Then trust Him enough to let Him dig. PRAYERFather, Thank You for loving us enough to reveal what's underneath the surface. Sometimes we think we've already dealt with something, and then a situation exposes a reaction, hurt, bitterness, insecurity, or old way of thinking that shows us there's still a root that needs Your healing. Lord, don't let us hide behind: "That's just how I am." We don't want our upbringing, our pain, our past, or other people's behavior to determine who we become. We belong to You. Search our hearts. Show us the roots we've ignored. Reveal bitterness before it chokes out our peace. Reveal unforgiveness before it damages our relationships. Reveal comparison before it distracts us from the assignment You've actually given us. And Lord, show us the things we're carrying that were never ours to carry. Teach us that we cannot be everything for everybody. Help us stop keeping score. Help us respond through the love of Jesus instead of reacting through our emotions. Give us grace while we're healing. And give us courage to be honest when the answer is simply: "I don't know yet." Thank You that we don't have to have everything together for You to work through us. Thank You that healing is a journey. Thank You that when You expose a root, You aren't exposing it to condemn us. You're exposing it because You want to heal us. May the fruit of our lives reflect the work You're doing underneath the surface. And may everything we teach, everything we share, every podcast, every conference, and every piece We want this to be truly interactive podcast. Please go in the fan mail at https://unrelatedsisterspodcast.buzzsprout.com and tell us your stories and let us know if it’s okay to share (no names). Let us know if you need prayer or how we can support you in your journey. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen.  Follow us on  Facebook @Unrelated Sister's: Truth & Grace Conversation Podcast  TikTok @Unrelated.SistersPodcast  Email us at unrelatedsisterspodcast@gmail.com

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Unrelated Sisters: Truth & Grace Conversation  is a safe space for anyone who's ever felt overlooked, overwhelmed, or off-track. Through honest conversation, biblical truth, and sisterhood/brotherhood that goes beyond blood, we journey together—restored by grace, grounded in faith, and called for more. Where two faith-filled women dive into real-life topics with honesty, scripture, and sisterhood and brotherhood. It’s where truth speaks, grace covers, and everyone  is welcomed just as we are.  John 1:16 (NIV) “Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” We choose John 1:16 because it reflects the layers of grace we talk about—the redemptive grace, the sustaining grace, the identity-giving grace—and it speaks to the fullness of Christ that we prayer pours into our listeners.  Isaiah 40:31“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” We choose this verse because it emphasizes the strength, endurance, and renewal that come from placing trust in God, which perfectly aligns with resilience, faith, and empowerment within our podcast. It speaks to the idea that, even in challenging times, women can find strength and grace through their faith, soaring above life's difficulties with renewed strength.   “Rooted in truth. Covered in grace. Carried by faith.” 

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