We all have different experiences with the Psalms; sometimes we read them and think, “huh?” You may love the depth of emotion and vulnerability, or maybe you avoid them altogether. So, what do we do with them? How do we read and understand 150 chapters compiled over 1,000 years? In this episode, our Spiritual Formation Pastors, Angela Ekstrum, Casey Shirley, and Blake Zimmerman, explain the structure and history of the Psalms, the practices of lament and gratitude, and teach us how to approach reading scripture meditatively so that we can ultimately understand more about God and ourselves.  

 

Shownotes: 

Blake Zimmernman Sermon: When Prayer Becomes Real https://youtu.be/JUCyp0zSxNI 

Abraham’s Silence by Richard Middleton: https://rb.gy/qzdo3f

Richard Middleton Lecture: “The Importance of Lament in the Life of Faith” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjIpR1SXGO4

Bible Project Video: The Book of Psalms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpny22k_7uk

Watch the podcast in video form: https://youtu.be/k2L318cNf2A

Read our Blog: https://churchonthemove.com/how-to-read-the-psalms

 

In this bonus episode, Jamie and Heather invite a special guest, their producer Chris Munch, to talk about highlights from season four and their journey of faithfully following Jesus. At the start of the season, they wanted to focus on bringing their internal work to their external lives. So, did they succeed? Buckle up for some spiritual insight, some laughs, and an inside look at Life in Motion.

 

Shownotes:

You can find Chris Munch on Instagram and Tik Tok at @chrismunchcomedy

This episode, Jamie and Heather do something a little bit different. They talk about the movie Turning Red and share some insights from the film. The movie explores themes of growing up, the complicated relationship between teens and their parents, and the danger of stuffing emotions. Raising kids is scary. We can’t make our kids love and follow Jesus, but we can bring to light what scripture says. Remember what you were like as a young teen? Do our kids feel safe to truly share themselves with us? Let’s talk about all of this and more!

*SPOILER ALERT: This episode contains spoilers for the movie Turning Red.

Faithfully following Jesus involves having clear and honest communication with the people in our lives. Trying to go it alone puts us into an exhausting cycle: we don’t ask for help, we become resentful, and we make things harder on ourselves. Jamie and Heather have had to learn the consequences of trying to do things in their own strength the hard way, and they are ready to break this cycle and move forward in their relationships in a way that not only honors the people they love, but honors God.

 

Shownotes: 

Read our blog: https://churchonthemove.com/why-asking-for-help-honors-god

In this episode, A message called "Keep Your Eye on the Ball" is referenced. Listen to the message: https://youtu.be/hZEFOL5dij4

COTMU is designed to equip followers of Jesus to take their discipleship journey to the next level. Learn more: https://cotmu.churchonthemove.com/

 

 

We live in a culture that wears busyness like a badge of honor. How do you faithfully follow the Lord in a season where there doesn’t seem to be any margin for more of God? Both Heather and Jamie are in really busy seasons and have had to wrestle with the tension of rushing through moments versus being intentional and present in the daily rhythms of life. You want to show up for all the people in your life, but it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day or patience in your heart. So, what do you do? Let’s talk about it!   Shownotes:

 

Read our Blog: https://churchonthemove.com/too-busy-for-god

 

In this episode, Heather and Jamie talk about Blake’s message from the Daughters Conference. You can listen to that message here: https://youtu.be/OPGid2xhsm8

 

COTMU is designed to equip followers of Jesus to take their discipleship journey to the next level. Learn more: https://cotmu.churchonthemove.com/

 

This is part two of Angela Ekstrum, Blake Zimmerman, and Casey Shirley’s conversation around the spiritual practice of fasting. They answer common questions about fasting like, how do we talk about it with our kids? How do we handle spiritual practices in a family of nonbelievers? What do we do if we mess up? — and so many more! Check it out!

 

Show Notes

Check our first episode on fasting called Fasting 101

Book Resources:

Fasting by Scott McKnight

God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallace

Podcast Resources:

Exploring My Strange Bible | Practicing Faith Part 2: Feasting & Fasting

Bridgetown Church

Fasting: Our Relationship to Food, Body, and Image

Part 1: To Starve the Flesh and Feed the Spirit

 

 

Our Spiritual Formation Pastors Angela Ekstrum, Blake Zimmerman, and Casey Shirley deep dive into the spiritual practice of fasting. They are candid about their own experiences with fasting and look deeper at the history of the practice, specifically in the modern American church. When we fast, we remove the things we find comfort in and replace them with the things we’re intended to find comfort in. We are forced to answer the question, “Can God really satisfy me?” It’s not about behavior modification, but a heart shift. Don’t miss this important conversation!

Show Notes

Book Resources:

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Fasting by Scott McKnight

God’s Chosen Fast by Arthur Wallace

Podcast Resources:

Exploring My Strange Bible | Practicing Faith Part 2: Feasting & Fasting

Bridgetown Church

Fasting: Our Relationship to Food, Body, and Image

Part 1: To Starve the Flesh and Feed the Spirit

 

 

This season is all about examining and responding to the faithfulness of God. Jamie and Heather are focused on being responsive to God’s direction and being faithful in every area of their lives. In part one, Jamie shared how her honesty and vulnerability paved the way for greater authenticity and intimacy in her marriage. Jamie’s confession allowed Heather to reflect on how much her own marriage has benefitted from increased vulnerability. In part one of this episode, we asked the question, “How do we know God is faithful?” This week, we explore how we can respond to His faithfulness by submitting our whole selves to Him (flaws & all). Check it out!

Shownotes: In this episode, Heather and Jamie talk about Blake's message from the Daughters Conference. You can listen to that message here: https://youtu.be/OPGid2xhsm8 COTMU is designed to equip followers of Jesus to take their discipleship journey to the next level. Learn more: https://cotmu.churchonthemove.com/

Looking for community? Check out our Daughters Ministry! https://churchonthemove.com/daughters 

In this episode, Heather and Jamie unpack all that God did through the Daughters Women’s conference. As they are focused on faithfulness in every season, God revealed his faithfulness in the way He orchestrated the conference and spoke a specific word to both Jamie and Heather.  God has been doing some incredible things in and through them as they surrender every aspect of their life to Him. In fact, He’s doing so much that we had to split this episode into two.We hope you’ll enjoy part one.

 

Shownotes:

In this episode, Heather and Jamie talk about Blake's message from the Daughters Conference. You can listen to that message here: https://youtu.be/OPGid2xhsm8

They also mention COTMU. COTMU is designed to equip followers of Jesus to take their discipleship journey to the next level. Learn more: https://cotmu.churchonthemove.com/

 

Being healthy spiritually, physically, and mentally doesn’t just happen by accident. It takes intentionality in every aspect of life. But sometimes we get so comfortable in unhealth and dysfunction, we don’t even realize that what has become normal to us is not in fact normal. It takes a lot of internal work but also a lot of help from those we trust to help us see the things we’ve become blind to. So, how do we redefine what’s normal? Let’s talk about it!

What are you doing that brings you joy in this season?  We want to hear from you! Text Life in Motion to 23101 and follow the prompts.