Rise and Form

Revisiting Our Most Popular Episode: Dr. Adam Dell on Trauma, Healing, and Faith. This is a bonus replay of our most popular episode featuring Dr. Adam Dell, a highly popular clinical psychologist and trauma expert. Dr. Dell discusses the profound impact of trauma and how there is hope for our healing. He discusses the power of moments, moments that we can sometimes underestimate and the unique hope found in his deep Psychological expertise and his deeply rooted faith in how Jesus "the only God with scars" has experienced our sufferings and knows us more than we know ourselves.

Aundrea's Reflections on Self-Control, Vulnerability, and Love In this episode of Monday Steep, Aundrea reflects on recent episodes with Kerry Paxton and Brandon Reynolds, as we explored self-control, vulnerability, accountability, and the community. Kerry highlights the crucial link between vulnerability and self-control, emphasizing the need for community support and the Holy Spirit's involvement.

Aundrea discussed overcoming feelings of shame and the importance of humility in pursuing self-control as well as the ways in which Brandon Reynolds' talk on love emphasized community support and seeing love as sacrifice.

Aundrea shares her heart on bearing with each other and encourages deeper engagement with the Bible to strengthen faith and love!

Brandon Reynolds is the founder of Into the Deep, a men's ministry that builds Christ-centered community for men and challenges one of the most pervasive problems facing our modern world - isolation. Brandon shares a transformative experience at a justice conference in Portland, Oregon, and how it inspired him to create a space where men can connect, share, and grow in their faith. We discuss what love looks like for men what it is to develop a love for self, family, friends, neighbors and God. Brandon emphasises the importance of having meaningful, long-term relationships and reflects on the vision that God gave him and the practical steps 'Into the Deep' takes to help men overcome isolation, idolatry, and discover their true identity in Christ.

Let's talk about your mood. Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed today? This episode is for you. How do we get out of a bad mood? What even is mood and how does it impact our thoughts, feelings and behaviors?

*We are taking a break from our usual Steep format due to Abe being abroad and some tech barriers! Hoping this blesses and equips you anyway - Abe and Aundrea.

"Self-control is the key that unlocks a life of freedom."  - Kerry Paxton 

Kerry Paxton has been singing in church since the age three and has been serving in worship and pastoring roles for over 10 years. As a singer-songwriter, leader, and musician Kerry has walked in the tension of needing to keenly rely on the Holy Spirit to maintain a submitted and surrendered mindset. He is the associate pastor overseeing worship and discipleship ministries at the Bridge Church Northwest in Tualatin, Oregon. He is also Aundrea's husband!!

Kerry exudes the idea that Self control is not really about “self” at all, it is about surrender, and self-denial. It is about other, it is about love and community. During this episode Kerry demonstrates honesty, humility and his passion about walking this walk as pastor, husband, father and brother. 

"Self-control isn't just restraint; it's empowerment." - Kerry Paxton

In this episode, Abe discusses his evolving mindset, influenced by conversations with friends and reflections on his own thought patterns. Abe emphasizes the importance of metacognition and balancing sentimental reflections with a forward-looking perspective. Aundrea, on the other hand, explores the concept of rest, challenging the notion that busyness equates to productivity. Together, they delve into the significance of trusting in God, shifting from perpetual action to periods of stillness, and recognizing the inherent value in their diverse emotional states. Join us!!

Jessica hails from Alaska, and has had a full career in the WNBA as a Power Forward and Center. Jessica won 3 titles with UConn too so she knows about the grit needed to remain steadfast and to bear with ongoing opposition! Now, she’s making waves in marketing at Nike. One of the things that stood out most about Jessica is her love and dedication for Christ and how it reflects in her daily life and interactions. Her life and identity is rooted in Christ alone and this has been a grounding force for her despite incredible resistance.

Jessica shares personal stories about her career highs and lows, and how patience has played a pivotal role throughout. Her insights are grounded in faith, emphasizing trust in God's timing and plans.

We explored the theme of identity as Jessica touched on the challenges athletes face when transitioning out of their sports careers and how crucial it is to find one's identity in Christ. Her personal journey of discovering who she is beyond basketball was powerful and relatable.

We also discussed how important it is to model patience and faith for our children, integrating these values into our everyday lives. Jessica's passion for empowering women and girls through sports and faith is contagious. She encourages us all to find something we're passionate about, to learn from it, and to let it shape our character.

Support us at https://www.patreon.com/RiseandForm

In this episode of The Monday Steep, we delve into personal experiences and reflections on managing emotions, authenticity in prayer, and the search for a deeper relationship with God. Aundrea's reading of the Psalms prompts a conversation about understanding God’s character and the role of prayer. We also touch on a tragic local event involving the murder of a nurse, which leads to discussions about the importance of spreading kindness, dignity, and love. The episode concludes with reflections on balancing flexibility and resoluteness in faith and the impact of our chat with Nena Wallace!

To have clarity of thought and intention requires a commitment to honest self reflection and faithfulness to your beliefs and values. Singer-songwriter and Gospel Choir Director, Nena Wallace is our special guest and example of this commitment.

Nena shares her life, her testimony and her unflinching (well let's be real, there is always some flinching) testimony of what it is to be lost and scared but to listen to that small still voice and live a life that is faithfully holding on to Jesus' call.From growing up in a church environment with little engagement to experiencing a profound spiritual awakening, Nena's testimony is one of transformation, surrender, and faith. She discusses overcoming deep-seated fears, the importance of yielding to God's will, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding her life.

Nena's story is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of maintaining a strong connection with God through prayer, worship, and consistent grounding in the Word. This episode is a must-listen for worshippers and creatives seeking clarity, purpose, and a deeper relationship with our ever-faithful God.

02:40 Nena's Musical Journey

04:37 Early Church Experiences

06:54 College Years and wrestling with God

09:25 Meeting her husband and Finding Real Faith

11:04 Transformation

18:40 Overcoming Fear and Embracing God's Call

26:37 Renewed Hunger for God

35:46 Surrendering to God

35:57 Understanding Goals and Desires

38:51 The Importance of Honesty

41:41 The Power of the Holy Spirit

43:24 Seeking Deliverance from Fears

46:03 Navigating Life's Challenges

47:50 The Role of Scripture and Prayer

https://www.biola.edu/gospel-choir/director

What is it to Steep you ask? It is soaking something to extract the nutrients and flavour. The Monday Steep is Rise and Form's new, thoughtful, and honest weekly session hosted by Andrea and Abe, inspired by our own Rise and Form journey. Together, we real-talk about faith, psychology, and spiritual formation, touching on the struggles many face, such as our discussion this week: dealing with the impact of tragedies, the inherent sinfulness and goodness in humanity, and wrestling with some difficult theological and life realities.

We also reflect on last week's podcast episode with Dr. Tina Armstrong and explore meaningful insights about flourishing, thriving, and the importance of community support. We also share personal stories about the challenges and strategies in maintaining a balanced life, family responsibilities, and spiritual growth. 

Join us for real-life processing moments and engaging discussions on aligning your life with God's vision! 

In this show Abe mentioned a talk by Tim Keller: https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/paradise-in-crisis/

Tim Keller (Abe forgot her name) provided a story about a UK sociologist Beatrice Webb; see her Wiki here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatrice_Webb

The book "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis was also discussed.