In a culture that’s often divisive and argumentative, Professor of Law and Religion John Inazu helps people find a way through disagreements: by truly listening. He shares his insights on how we can hold healthy conversations on complex topics using careful intention, empathy, and the examples from Jesus found in scripture.

Quotes

“One of the key pieces about being a lawyer is that you're not going to be any good unless you really understand the other side's arguments, and that means having the best possible case of that argument, the most empathetic version and construct of that argument, and understanding why someone who is smart and kind and decently good might have a different view of something than you do.” - John Inazu

“I think actually core to Christian engagement in the world today is a willingness to not only ask hard questions, but be asked hard questions. The people we encounter want first to know that we care about them as human beings, that we take their ideas seriously, and that we're not so locked up in our own beliefs that we can't even listen to other people.” - John Inazu

“We can be both very confident in our own beliefs, as Christians are called to be, and also recognize the differences of beliefs around us.” - John Inazu

“When we work on [the fruits of the spirit] with people who aren't like us, it not only helps our own character and improvement, but it also helps us figure out how to relate better across disagreement.” - John Inazu

“Leaning into grace means embracing humility, and in some ways, when we can see ourselves as the recipients of grace, that we're big players in this really big cosmic story, and what a gift it is to be a part of it—we can be less anxious, less fearful, less controlling, and know that we're being used in small ways for a much bigger story, and embrace that as the gift that it is.” - John Inazu

Guest’s Links
John Inazu’s website

John Inazu’s Substack

John Inazu’s Facebook

John Inazu’s Twitter

John Inazu’s Instagram

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
C.S. Lewis

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Gordon Mote, a piano player and musician who was blind from birth, shares with us the discovery of his astounding musical abilities at the age of three to being one of the first in the U.S. to enter the public school system as a blind student and overcoming all the unique challenges that would ultimately shape him into the musical legend he is today. With two Grammy Award nominations, twenty-one Academy of Country Music Award nominations, and three-time recipient of the Academy of Country Music Keyboard/Piano Player of the Year, Gordon has collaborated with renowned artists, including Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Martina McBride, Bob Seger, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker, The Gaither Vocal Band, The Martins, Triumphant Quartet, and Alison Krauss. Despite his numerous accolades, Gordon shows no signs of slowing down from using his gifts to the fullest and also reflects on how his own faith and support from others have helped him along the way.

Quotes

“There I was, just a little bitty three year old, sitting on the piano, barely big enough to reach the keys, and I was playing ‘Jesus Loves Me’ with both hands. That's how you know it's a God thing—it's just a miracle. It's one of those things that God does that's totally unexplainable, and yet, He can do all the things. His ways are not our ways.” - Gordon Mote

“Pretty much every day of my life, my morning routine is to get my cup of coffee, get in my office, and just start my day in the Word—trying to be open-minded, open hearted…just hear what God is saying to me.” - Gordon Mote

“When you have the hope of Christ in your life, you're able to live that and share that with others—now more than ever.” - Gordon Mote

“People say they love you all the time, but I don't know of anyone who proved it any more than Jesus did on the cross. So I'm very grateful for that and grateful that He allows me to share the gospel in all the ways that He does.” - Gordon Mote

Guest’s Links
Gordon Mote’s website

Gordon Mote’s Facebook

Gordon Mote’s Instagram

Gordon Mote’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Alabama School for the Blind

Jacksonville State University

Belmont University

Lee Greenwood

Tanya Tucker

Trisha Yearwood

Alan Jackson

Josh Turner

Darius Rucker

Brad Paisley

James Taylor

Lionel Richie

Bob Seger

Alabama

George Strait

Steven Curtis Chapman

Chris Tomlin

Matthew West

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

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Sally’s website

Sally’s Facebook

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Actress and producer Roma Downey, best known for her role in Touched By An Angel, has experienced a lot of loss and grief in her life, but thanks to a touching tradition with her father that began when she was just a young girl, she trained herself to see reminders of God’s love all around her, a legacy that she’s continued with her own family.

Quotes

“[My dad] said, ‘Look, Roma, look at that moon. Just remember, wherever you are in the world, it'll be the same moon shining down on you as is shining down on me.’ And he said, ‘And that will connect us, we’ll be forever connected.’” - Roma Downey

“The moon has been a constant reassurance to me, and I often like to think of the moon as an analogy of God's love, that sort of loving presence that is ever with us.” - Roma Downey

“I think if you yourself have suffered a loss and you yourself have a deeper understanding of what it is to suffer, I think you're more aware and conscious of it than other people, and hopefully it makes you a little bit more thoughtful, a little bit more kind in reaction to others.” - Roma Downey

“God’s love is demonstrated to us through each other. When we show up with kindness, when we show up in service, when we show up joyfully, when we make somebody laugh, we will know each other by our love.” - Roma Downey

“Anybody can say, ‘I love you,’ but it's like, what are you doing? How are you showing up? What are your actions? What are the choices that you're making?” - Roma Downey

Guest’s Links
Roma Downey’s website

Roma Downey’s Facebook

Roma Downey’s Instagram

Roma Downey’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Touched by an Angel

A Message in the Moon by Roma Downey

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*