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.

Welcome to Season 3! Dr. Tina shows how wellness doesn’t exist without goodness, without togetherness and being active in your community. If you want to know about flourishing and what things can be in the way of your flourishing, listen up!

As a Clinical Psychologist; Dr Tina Armstrong has dedicated her life to understanding how flourishing works and applies this to helping high achieving Black women to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities. Dr. Tina created Living Connected MBS, Inc., to combat the negative health disparities that Black women experience by using an integrated biopsychosocial + spiritual approach to promote wellbeing and flourishing. 

“Flourishing entails you not only thriving but that you are experiencing conditions that are conducive to positive mental, physical and spiritual health, a state of vitality and vigorous growth.” -Dr. Tina Armstrong

You can find her at https://www.drtinaarmstrong.com/ and on instagram @livingconnectedinc

We are going to be releasing mini-episodes on Monday's called "The Monday Steep" with just Abe and Aundrea. The Monday Steep is where we will be discussing the Rise and Form principles and applying these to our real lives for a bit of Monday inspo. This episode is a peek into that new format and you are invited to be our guest!

If you haven’t heard from or met Hannah Brencher, she is one of those people that uplifts you and refreshes you and simultaneously wakes you out of your slumber with her lifegiving focus! Hannah is an award winning author, speaker and one of our very favorite thinkers on how to practically rise out of habitual patterns and form a life worthy of your call. 

Hannah discusses the profound transformation she experienced through her unplugged hours. Struggling with the fear of being alone with her thoughts, she discovered the creativity and peace that came with disconnecting from her phone and embracing stillness. We reflect on the importance of being present, forming habits of stillness, and the spiritual and relational richness that unfolds when we reduce distractions. 

Hannah shares insights from her new book “The Unplugged Hours”, emphasizing how intentional living and attention can help us reclaim our time and deepen our relationship to ourselves, our loved one’s, our lives and our Almighty God. 

Hannah’s website is fabulous so check it out here: hannahbrenchercreative.com