Life Reframed: Recent Episodes
Fellowship Church
Join Rick and Lauren as they, with vulnerability and humor, reframe all of life through the lens of God’s redemptive Story of grace, truth, and love.
Get ready to grab your pink attire and a big bowl of popcorn because we're diving headfirst into the world of Barbie! In this episode of our podcast, our special guest, pop-culture expert Amanda McIntyre, will share her expertise on movies and give us an in-depth analysis of the recent blockbuster hit featuring the iconic doll. Furthermore, we'll be discussing our personal experiences with the film and its impact on pop culture. So, get ready for an exciting and assertive episode where we explore the phenomenon that is Barbie!
Amanda Mcintyre is a hairstylist and small-business owner from Knoxville, TN. Connect with her on Instagram.
Today we discuss the film Barbie(2023)
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we are dedicating the whole podcast to an idea we've discussed briefly in other episodes: the inner child. Is this psychological jargon or does it have a place in the life of a Christian? Rick and Lauren discuss how we believe it is the latter and how we can bring these wounded places from our past into the presence of Jesus. As always, their discussion is centered around authenticity and vulnerability. We hope you enjoy it.
Rick references Anxiously Attached by Jessica Baum.
Rick references our episode How Running From Runs Us
Rick references our episode on Spiritual Formation with Stacey Tafao
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
It's hard to think clearly. It's even harder in our modern world we're we are inundated with e-mails, news, opinions, social media, and on and on and on. All of this adds up to noise in our lives. Today Rick and Lauren discuss what this means and how we can reframe it in light of the Gospel and the redemptive story God is telling in our lives.
Rick references the book Noise by Daniel Kahneman
Rick references Hebrews 5:12-14
Lauren and Rick reference the film Barbie (2023)
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
"Is God good? I know he loves the people around me, but does he love me the same? Sometimes the questions feel louder than the belief in me, what do I do with that?" These questions are common to the Christian journey of faith and our guest today, Stacey Tafao, discusses how vital the lost art of spiritual formation is to our lives. Learn how sometimes the question isn't "What is the answer to this?" as it is "Who is God for you in this moment?"
Today we are joined by Stacey Tafao. She is the Pastor of Spiritual Formation and Community at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN. Stacey joined us previously and told us her story for the episode A Life Reframed: Redeeming our Wounds.
Stacey references A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene H. Peterson.
Stacey references the work of Larry Crabb.
Stacey references A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
Stacey mentions graftedlife.org
https://www.graftedlife.org/
Stacey references The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron
Connect with Stacey
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we are joined by our friends Bob and Connie Grove. Time spent with them is always rich, and intentional and radiates the love they have for Christ, each other, and young people. That's why we're so glad to have them on the show because you can experience that too.
In this thought-provoking episode, Rick and Lauren explore the concept of manifesting and its compatibility with Christianity. With candid vulnerability and a touch of humor, they delve into how God's redemptive Story of grace, truth, and love may offer an alternative perspective on manifestation and its place in their faith journey.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
In this candid episode, Rick and Lauren explore the theme of loneliness, highlighting how embracing vulnerability and taking risks to find genuine connections with others can lead to a life enriched by God's redemptive Story of grace, truth, and love.
In this heartfelt and poignant episode, Rick and Lauren welcome back their dear friend Brandon Janous for a second time. Join them as Brandon courageously opens up about his journey of navigating grief and joy after the devastating loss of his beloved wife. Through candid conversations, Brandon shares his experiences of reentering the world of dating and finding solace within a compassionate community of individuals who have also experienced profound loss, inspiring listeners to embrace life's complexities with hope and resilience.
Brandon joined us before in May of 2021 on the episode A Life Reframed: Life as a Gift with Brandon Janous
Brandon recently published a book Just DO!: Stories about Discovering Purpose, Gaining Perspective and Being Present.
You can follow Brandon on Instagram @brandonjanous and on Facebook. You can also visit his website.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Join Rick and Lauren in this captivating episode as they explore the impact of "mental apps" that silently operate in the background, sabotaging our true identity and purpose, while offering practical steps to uninstall damaging beliefs and embrace God's redemptive Story of grace, truth, and love.
Rick references our episode The Marks of a Redemptive Story
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Get ready for an eye-opening episode of the podcast, as Rick and Lauren team up with the amazing Teresa Dunn to tackle the awesome power and significance of a woman's voice. They're about to dive deep and keep it real, sharing personal stories and shedding light on tough moments they have faced. Brace yourself for an honest and refreshing conversation that uncovers how embracing and valuing diverse perspectives can truly transform lives and relationships. You won't want to miss this insightful journey of redemption and the incredible impact of a woman's voice.
Join hosts Rick and Lauren in this episode of "Life Reframed" as they explore the profound themes of the hit musical "Hamilton" and dive into the rich history it portrays. Through the lens of the Gospel, they navigate the complexities of our nation's story, discussing how despite its messiness, it remains a place for which we can express gratitude. Tune in as they uncover the transformative power of storytelling and reflect on the significance of "Hamilton" in reframing our understanding of America.
In this episode of Life Reframed, hosts Rick and Lauren engage in a captivating conversation with their dear friend Mark Granger, who recently made the bold decision to leave behind a thriving business career and join Wycliffe Bible Translators as an organizational consultant. Join them as they delve into Mark's compelling journey, uncovering the profound impact of his faith-driven transition, the joys and hurdles of working with Wycliffe, and the transformative power of bringing the Gospel to life through Bible translation. Get ready to be inspired as they navigate the intersection of faith, purpose, and career in this thought-provoking episode.
Today we are joined by Mark Granger who is a former elder at Fellowship Church and has now stepped into a position with Wycliffe Bible Translator as an Organizational Strength Consultant where he assists Bible translation organizations and their partner churches.
Here’s a video of Mark telling his story.
Here’s the link Mark shared.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
In this thought-provoking episode of "Reframing Life," Rick and Lauren delve deep into the metaphor of being clay in the potter's hands. With vulnerability and trust, they explore how, at times, we may not understand the intricate details of God's molding process, but we find solace in the belief that His craftsmanship is purposeful, leading to something beautiful and meaningful. Join them as they discuss the power of surrender, faith, and the transformative journey of being shaped by the Master Potter's loving hands.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Join Rick, Lauren, and special guest Mike Long as they delve into the topic of reframing our relationship with money. Through candid conversations, they explore the concept of stewardship and how recognizing that everything belongs to God can reshape our perspective on finances. Discover practical insights and biblical wisdom that can transform the way you view and handle money in alignment with God's redemptive story of grace and provision.
You've done it, I've done it, we've all all done it: we want to change something so we make a BIG goal! We try hard (kind of) but often we fail or maybe we succeed but we can't keep at it once life catches up and then we're back where we started feeling worse. Today Rick and Lauren want to reframe how we approach change with grace, honesty and with goals that might just actually work.
Rick references our episode called Try Softer.
This is our last episode for 2022, thank you for joining us along the way. We will see you in January!
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
This Sunday is the beginning of Advent. So whether you're listening before Thanksgiving or heating up leftover turkey, join us as Rick and Lauren share the heart of Advent: longing for His return.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Let's face it: making decisions is hard. And when we're trying to follow Jesus and live our lives in light of his teaching, we have to factor in what he thinks into our decisions as well. So how do we do that? How do we know? Rick and Lauren discuss this and more on today's episode.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
We live in a hustle culture where "Try harder, have more grit, get the thing done!" are the most common mantras. Well today, Rick and Lauren discuss a reframe they've been discussing that might just be one of the most important you'll make for your everyday life: try softer.
Today our show was inspired by the book Try Softer by Aundi Kolber.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
This is one of the toughest reframes for our culture: that who you are matters more than what you do. And today we're not just discussing this in the context of actions but also how it applies to our vocations and our sense of our very selves. Hope you enjoy.
Rick references our episode with JC Neely discussing how to embrace who you are as enough.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Oh we love to make things complicated for ourselves. But is making our lives harder what it means to "take up our cross" as Jesus says?
Rick references our episode with R.D. and Stacey talking about spiritual practices.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Brett Carroll had a successful career as a Major League Baseball player (his first home run was off of Randy Johnson) but is that what he says defines him most?
Today we are joined by Brett Caroll who is a former Major League Baseball player and who currently owns BC Athletics.
The documentary series The Captain is referenced.
Here’s the highlight of Brett going yard against Randy Johnson.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Today we are joined by our friend Judge Steve Sword who discusses how doing his work as a judge is an act of worship and how he understands God's grace, compassion and justice.
Today we are joined by Judge Steve Sword who is a Criminal Court Judge in Knoxville, TN.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
If we don't know how to wrestle with God, do we really know how to rest with him? Rick and Lauren ponder this question today and we invite you to as well.
Rick references Sacred Fire: A Vision for Deeper Human and Christian Maturity by Ronald Rolheiser
Rick references RD’s sermon on September 11, 2022.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Today we wanted to have a few of our friends from the Church Mobilization department to have a discussion on missions. We hope you enjoy this conversation and that it encourages you to be curious about how we as the church serve the world.
Today we are joined by Dave Russell and Kori Smith from the Church Mobilization staff at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN. Dave is the Pastor of Regional Impact and Kori is the Ministry Assistant for Church Mobilization.
Dave Russell joined us for a Life Reframed story in the past.
Dave reads from Henri Nouwen’s book Gracias: A Latin American Journal.
Here's the article Lauren and Dave reference.
Rick and Dave reference our episode with Benito.
Rick references our episode with Juanita Winters.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Christ saves us and invites us into a life of deep fellowship with him with the Father through the Spirit. But where does that theology meet our daily life? Today we're joined by R.D. McClenagan and Stacey Tafao join us to discuss one way which is spiritual practices.
In this episode, R.D. and Stacey mention a printed and digital book that will be available soon.
R.D. McClenagan is the Pastor of Adult Ministries & Teaching at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN. Follow R.D. on Twitter and his website. RD also is regularly on our podcast Off Stage.
RD has been on before in these episodes:
The Both/And with R.. McClenagan
Continuing the Race Conversation with Chris Walker and RD McClenagan
How to Carry On the Race Conversation with Chris Walker and RD McClenagan
The Weight of a Father with JC Neely and RD McClenagan
Stacey Tafao is the Pastor of Adult Community Life Ministry at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN.
Stacey joined us for a Life Reframed story called Redeeming our Wounds with Stacey Tafao.
Here’s an image of a trellis.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Conflict is inevitable in relationship but combat is not. Today Rick and Lauren discuss how we can disagree well in such a way that grows our trust while also having healthy boundaries for ourselves.
Rick references his sermon with his wife Teresa.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Today we are joined by our dear friend Benito Lopez who is the Missionary to Latinos at Fellowship Church. Anyone who knows Benito understands he is a treasure and his heart alone is a testament to the love of Jesus. We hope you love this conversation as much as we did.
Our episode with Dave Russell is referenced. It’s worth a listen.
Benito reads from Henri Nouwen’s book Gracias: A Latin American Journal.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Everyday, we wake up and tell ourselves a story about ourselves whether we realize it or not. Today, Rick and Lauren discuss how essential it is to be aware of these stories and make sure we're telling ourselves the truest story about ourselves. And for followers of Jesus, that story is the Gospel and it will never stop being the Gospel.
Rick references our episode on regret.
Rick references his guide, Harv. He’s been on the show with us twice:
The Marriage Bond
Weathering Crucibles
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Is it possible to be joyless and happy and on the other side of things, can we be joyful in sorrow? Today we discuss how the world sees happiness versus how Jesus describes Joy and what that means for our lives.
We highly recommend catching up with our episode sitting down with Confesor Martinez. Getting to record with him was such a gift and we think you’ll find this episode so edifying.
The Walter Wangerin Jr. quote comes from his book Reliving the Passion: Meditations on the Suffering, Death and Resurrection fo Jesus as Recorded in Mark.
Rick reads from:
1 Peter 1:7 and 1 James 1:2-4 as well as Romans 5:3-5
Rick and Lauren reference our past episode Conversations with Suffering Friends.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
Is it possible to be joyless and happy and on the other side of things, can we be joyful in sorrow? Today we discuss how the world sees happiness versus how Jesus describes Joy and what that means for our lives.
We highly recommend catching up with our episode sitting down with Confesor Martinez. Getting to record with him was such a gift and we think you’ll find this episode so edifying.
The Walter Wangerin Jr. quote comes from his book Reliving the Passion: Meditations on the Suffering, Death and Resurrection fo Jesus as Recorded in Mark.
Rick reads from:
1 Peter 1:7 and 1 James 1:2-4 as well as Romans 5:3-5
Rick and Lauren reference our past episode Conversations with Suffering Friends.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. `
When it comes to regrets, we often feel two extremes: live life without them or let them overwhelm us. But what does the Gospel say to us in our regret?
Rick references “Living Your Unlived Life” by Robert A. Johnson and Jerry Ruhl
Rick references our episode with Emily McCoy.
Rick references our recent episode with Jess Nelson where we discuss back to school anxiety.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we are joined by the worship pastors at Fellowship Church (Knoxville, TN): Spencer Garland, Emily McCoy and Andrew Bingham to discuss how to lead and be led in worship as well as songwriting and many other topics relating to loving and being loved through music.
Today we are joined by the Worship team from Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN: Spencer Garland, Emily McCoy and Andrew Bingham.
The Worship team releases their music: listen on Spotify or Apple Music.
Emily McCoy was a guest on an episode recently telling her story called “Stones Remembered with Emily McCoy.”
The song at the end of the show is “I’ll Keep Walking” the new song from Middlebrook Music.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
The summer is coming to an end and kids are returning to school. How do we adjust to the "new normal" even coming out of a couple of seasons where life was anything but normal? Today we're joined by Jessica Nelson to discuss this amongst many other helpful topics.
Jessica Nelson is currently at Restoration Counseling and is working towards licensure as a professional counselor. She works with children, early adolescents, and parents to help strengthen the family relationship. She lives in Knoxville with her husband and two sons. You can find her on social media here.
Jessica joined us in two past episodes:
Parenting and Parenting an Out of the Box Child.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
It's hard to get anywhere when we're convinced the other person is the enemy. How do we avoid polarizing ourselves from ever being able to embrace other who disagree with us? This week Rick and Lauren discuss how we can move forward.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Have you ever had a moment where you felt childish? We all do and it can lead to feeling immature and ashamed but what if in those moments where being invited into a deeper relationship with the father?
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we're joined by a dear friend and special guest, Walter Cross who's a pastor in the Lonsdale community to hear his story and his heart. It's a beautiful episode and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Today we are joined by Walter Cross who is a pastor in the Lonsdale community.
Walter references John 16.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today Rick and Lauren are discussing the story of Gideon from the book of Judges.
Rick references A Bug’s Life.
Rick references our episode Strength with Steven Hines and Teresa Dunn.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we are joined by Steve Diggs who is the president and CEO of Emerald Youth Foundation as we discuss what it means to become a part of the lives of the people we are serving and being served by and that this is how the Kingdom advances.
Today Rick and Lauren are joined by Steve Diggs. Steve is the president and CEO of Emerald Youth Foundation and is on the Executive and Governance Committee for Emerald Charter Schools.
Here’s a link to where you can get involved.
Steve references Slow Kingdom Coming by Kent Annan
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
We have the ability to speak into another's life and "bless" them but the reality is we have to learn not only how to give these blessings, but also receive them.
Rick and Lauren reference the book The Blessing by Gary Salley and John Trent.
Rick references our episodes on being seen and shame.
Rick references a sermon called Surprised by Jesus.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
We know Father's Day can be beautiful and complicated. It's a day of celebration for some, grief for others and even anger. Because in some ways, every Father's Day allows us to ask "What does it mean to be a father?" We're joined by JC and RD as we consider this question and many more.
R.D. McClenagan is the Pastor of Adult Ministries & Teaching at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN. Follow R.D. on Twitter and his website. RD also is regularly on our podcast Off Stage.
J.C. Neely is the Associate Lead Pastor at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN.
JC told his story previously on our show. Listen here.
R.D. was on the show a few years back as well.
Rick references our episode on Forgiveness.
Lauren references the Tim McGraw song “Live Like You Were Dying.”
R.D. was a guest recently on Open Door. Listen here.
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
These days are dark and each time we turn on the news, we're presented with a reality that is hard to grapple with. Today Rick and Lauren discuss what it means to be the light in dark times.
Rick references our episode on Summertime.
Rick references “Is He Worthy” by Andrew Peterson.
Rick references Psalm 36:9.
Rick references John 1.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Pools, lakes, lawn chairs and cookouts; it's summertime! However you are enjoying this season, Rick and Lauren give their thoughts on how we can approach this time for ourselves and with our family.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram. s
How do we see ourselves? It's a simple question with a lifetime of answers. Today Rick and Lauren discuss healthy and unhealthy mindsets when it comes to how we look.
Lauren references the instagram account Helping Families Thrive.
Lauren references the National Eating Disorder Association.
Rick references our episode on Perfectionism.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Oh my this conversation y'all. Guille Cruize brings his heart and shares it with us in an authentic way as he tells stories of his life in business, struggles he's overcome and how all of that has led him deeper into the love of God.
Today we are joined by Guille Cruze. Guille is from Knoxville and works in entrepreneurship.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Chances are you or someone you know struggles with perfectionism. It seems we're all keenly aware of ways we "should be doing better." Today Rick and Lauren share their own personal stories of struggle, what they've learned and what scripture says about having compassion for our imperfect selves.
Rick and Lauren reference The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.
Lauren references a past episode with Tracy Serrano called The Practice of Mindfulness.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we are joined once again by our good friend Dr. Harv Powers to discuss what it means to have a good bond in our marriage. Harv discusses how being connected with our spouse relationally is essential and how we can go about growing our it.
Dr. Harvey Powers is a pastor, teacher, psychologist, consultant and professor.
Harv joined us for an episode called Weathering Crucibles.
Have references Genesis 2:24.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
How do you lead a school district of 60,000 students each with their own unique places and stories? Today we're joined by Jon Rysewyk who gets to answer that question and he begins with words from the book of Joshua: "Be strong and courageous."
Today we are joined by Jon Rysewyk who was recently chosen as the new superintendent of Knox County Schools.
Jon references Joshua 1:5
Follow Jon at twitter.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we're joined by our friend Matthew Best to discuss how to have conversations about race and how we as followers of Jesus can engage these issues with the gospel.
Matthew Best is the executive director of the Change Center which is “a center-city space where teens and young adults are valued, safe, and their hope is nurtured by providing a strategically-located partnership facility that makes recreation, leadership development, and job opportunities available.”
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?
-Micah 6:8
Matthew references Subversive Witness by Dominique DuBois Gilliard
To support Austin-East visit aefound.com
You can e-mail Matthew at Matthew@changecenter.com
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Strength isn't what we think it is and today Rick and Lauren are joined by licensed counselors Steven Hines and Teresa Dunn to unpack this.
Learn more about Teresa Dunn, M. ED.
Learn more about Steven Hines, L.C.S.W.
Lauren references the earlier episode with Steven’s daughter, Lauren Shaw.
Steven Hines and Teresa Dunn are available as co-therapists for one or two day marriage intensives. These intensives may be scheduled in one of their offices or at another location. Please contact Steven at (847) 577-4530, ext 116 or Teresa at (865) 357-4673, ext. 2.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Can we just say it? Life is exhausting sometimes. But it's so easy to be unaware of this and today Rick and Lauren discuss symptoms of weariness and what they're telling us about ourselves. Spoiler alert, in the end, even weariness can lead us to knowing Jesus better.
Rick references our recent episodes on Weariness:
Weariness in Marriage with Brad Raby
Weariness in Parenting with Brett Gleason
Weariness in Friendships with the Open Door
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today we continue our series on Weariness with Brad Raby where we discuss weariness in marriage. We all go through seasons in life and so will our marriages and Brad invites us to see the hard seasons as invitations to bring the Gospel deeper into our marriages and ourselves.
Brad is the lead pastor of Fellowship West in Knoxville, TN.
Brad made a reference to our episode on friendship, catch up with it!
Brad was previously on the show in an episode on humility.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
We continue our series on Weariness with counselor Brett Gleason who specializes in working with kids especially kids who've experienced trauma. Today we are discussing the role of weariness in parenting and what our kids need from us during trying times.
Today, Rick and Lauren are joined by Brett Gleason, M.S. a Licensed Professional Counselor at Restoration Counseling in Knoxville, TN.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Welcome to our new series on "Weariness." Today we're joined by our friends Matt and Katie from the Open Door to discuss weariness in friendships.
Matt and Katie host the podcast Open Door from the Biblical Life Center.
Katie Neely is the Associate Pastor of Biblical Life Counseling Ministry.
Matt Scheuneman, MA, LPC-MHSP is a counselor in the Biblical Life Center at Fellowship and in the Knoxville community.
Matt references Open Door’s recent “batch” of episodes on Hot Emotions:
Introduction to Hot Emotions
Hot Emotions - Anger
Hot Emotions - Shame
Katie references Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund.
E-mail Matt
E-mail Katie
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
On Life Reframed, we talk a lot about how life is a redemption story and not a success story. But what does that mean for our suffering and how do we live out redemption in the wake of it? Today, our guest Stacey Tafao shares her story and so much more.
Today Rick and Lauren are joined by Stacey Tafao, the Pastor of Adult Community Life Ministry at Fellowship Church in Knoxville, TN.
Stacey quotes “Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid” from Frederick Buechner’s Beyond Words.
Stacey quote A.W. Tozer in the Pursuit of God “He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us he waits so long, so very long, in vain.”
Email Stacey at stacey.tafao@fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
We want to take an episode to reflect on the journey so far and to thank the people who have made it possible. We can't think of a better way to celebrate episode 100.
Rick references the episode with Bill Haslam
Rick references the first episode featuring Teresa Dunn as a guest.
Rick references the episode on post-abortive care with the Open Door.
Rick and Lauren reference the episode with Confessor Martinez.
Lauren references the episode with Juanita Winters.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
On today's episode, we welcome Sarah Pattison to discuss what it really means to depend on a good and faithful God even and especially on our darkest days.
Sarah Pattison co-owns the Happy Envelope, a design studio, letterpress and stationary store with her husband. You can read her blog here.
Here’s Sarah’s post The Joy of Participation
Watch Sarah’s story
Here are links to Sarah's excellent posts on prayer:
Post # 1
Post # 2
Post # 3
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Ok, so we've talked about fullness being important, but how do we get there? What is the day-to-day of a full life? On this episode Rick and Lauren give some thoughts using one of their favorite books, the Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
Rick and Lauren are discussing The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Boy by Charlie Mackesy.
Here’s his instagram.
Here’s the episode Seeing One Another
Rick references Philippians 2:1-11
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today Rick and Lauren are joined by Emily McCoy who is the Pastor of Musical Worship at Fellowship Church. Emily discusses her journey in leading worship in a church and as an artist writing songs and recording.
Find Emily’s music on Spotify.
Emily mentions her saxophone player Gregory Tardy.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
We're a month into the New Year which might mean some resolutions, goals and plans have fallen by the wayside or maybe you're still going strong! Either way, what is our heart in pursuit of such things? How can we do so from the fullness of our hearts?
Rick references a post by Sarah Pattison called Roots vs. Resolutions
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren are joined by Stacie Johnson, Pastor of Equipping & Worldview Formation at Fellowship Church, to discuss what it means to be a disciple of Jesus in our modern culture and how we share this with others.
Stacie Johnson is the Pastor of Equipping & Worldview Formation at Fellowship Church as part of the Adult Ministries Team. Her interests are in discipleship, the Gospel and how they play out in culture.
Stacie recommends Break Point from the Colson Center as a great resource for all things worldview.
Stacie references Intersect: When Culture and Jesus Collide. For more info or to sign up, click here.
Stacie references the Unearthed class. For more info or to sign-up, click here.
E-mail Stacie Johnson at stacie.johnson@fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Matt Scheuneman and Katie Neely from the Open Door are on the podcast to discuss abortion through the lens of caring for those on the post-abortive journey.
Matt and Katie host the podcast Open Door from the Biblical Life Center.
Katie Neely is the Associate Pastor of Biblical Life Counseling Ministry.
Matt Scheuneman, MA, LPC-MHSP is a counselor in the Biblical Life Center at Fellowship and in the Knoxville community.
Matt references Gentle & Lowly by Dane Ortlund.
Rick references Deeper Still, a ministry dedicated to “bring healing and lasting freedom to abortion wounded hearts.”
Katie references The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
Matt references kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery.
Learn more about the Biblical Life Center here.
Matt references the film The Heart of Man
Katie references Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren
E-mail Matt
E-mail Katie
Lauren references Off Stage with Greg and RD who are launching an episode on abortion on Thursday January, 20.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today, Rick and Lauren are joined by JC Neely, the Associate Lead Pastor at Fellowship Church for a discussion about identity, calling and how we often don't know what God is preparing us for but he is always trustworthy.
Today, Rick and Lauren are joined by Molly Marks whose life was reframed quickly when she adopted a baby from Haiti. We discuss adoption, foster care, singleness and more in this Life Reframed story.
Rick references a past episode with Kristin Miller of Tennessee Kids Belong talking about adoption and foster care.
It is so easy to make Christmas about to-do lists and goals, even if those goals are to try to experience more of Jesus through the season. But in this episode, Rick and Lauren dive in to the truth that beholding Jesus isn't about doing more. It's about the posture of our hearts and even more about his loving pursuit of us.
Rick references our sister podcast Off Stage’s episode The Subversive Savior.
Rick references this tweet from Rebecca McLaughlin
Rick references Luke 1:26-38
Merry Christmas to you and your families! We're so grateful for you! See you in 2022!
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Moving towards the hard is uncomfortable, scary, anxiety inducing and healthy. That's a principle of Life Reframed and today, Rick and Lauren dive into what that means and the benefits it brings to our lives.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren are joined by Doug Miller, a pastor at Plum Creek Church in Colorado, as he tells the story of how his son's life threatening illness reframed (and is still reframing) his life.
Doug Miller is the Lead Pastor of Plum Creek Church
Here’s a link to Josh’s Caring Bridge site where there are Doug’s updates as well as photos of Josh’s Journey.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
This week, Rick and Lauren are joined by Kristin Miller from Tennessee Kids Belong to discuss how it takes communities of people to love on adoptive/foster care kids and families and how we all are invited to play a part.
Kristin is the community relations coordinator for TN Kids Belong in the Knox, Smoky Mountain, and Northeast Regions. She’s provided some links for more information as well as her contact information:
How to Become a Foster Parent in TN- https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/training/tpd/fpt/t/potential.html
Tennessee Kids Belong-www.tnkidsbelong.org
Knox Area Foster Care and Adoption Ministries- www.kafcam.org
Fellowship Church Knoxville Adoption, Foster, and Kinship Care and WRAP Support- foster.fellowshipknox.org
Kristin's contact- kmiller@tnkidsbelong.org
Bio (link)- Kristin Miller has served on the leadership team for Knoxville Area Foster Care and Adoption Ministries (KAFCAM) since 2014. Her and her husband, Jeremy adopted 2 daughters from Ghana in 2013 and have two biological sons. Kristin also has 3 adopted siblings. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner and loves to combine her worlds of medicine and child advocacy to bring healing to vulnerable children and their families. She is on the leadership team for the adoption, foster, and kinship care ministry at Fellowship Church Knoxville and has helped establish WRAP teams and a weekly support group for foster and adoptive families at multiple faith communities across Knoxville. She hopes to see that number continue to grow across the region.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
This week, Rick and Lauren invite Dr. Craig Myers OB/GYN and Teresa Dunn, a professional counselor to discuss different problems they help women address with regards to sexuality; not only specific health issues, but also attitudes and beliefs that can be reframed in light of truth.
Lauren references an episode on our sister podcast Off Stage about Purity Culture
Learn more about Dr. Myers
Learn more about Teresa Dunn
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Life right now seems like on conflict after another with increasing levels of anger and frustration. Today Rick and Lauren discuss giving grace to others rather than anger but also giving (and receiving) grace for people who are angry.
Rick and Lauren references a Tennessee football game where fans, angry at a call, delayed the game by throwing things on the fall.
Rick references Ephesians 4:26
Rick and Lauren reference a past episode Seeing One Another.
Rick references a past episode with Marla Delong.
Rick references James 1:19
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
There is a deep desire to be seen for who we are but life has a way of hurting us in this area. Today Rick and Lauren discuss how we can give each other grace, heal and encourage in how see each other.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Life is hard and we're all asked to do hard things. Rick and Lauren dive into how being encouraged and encouraging others helps us navigate challenges and grow closer to each other.
The striped skunk is currently listed as “least concern” on conservation status which is apparently evidenced in Farragut, Tennessee.
Rick tells the story of the conversion of the Apostle Paul and meeting Barnabas.
Rick references Romans 1:11-12
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
This week, Rick and Lauren have on two guests: Dr. Craig Myers an OB/GYN and Rick's wife, Teresa Dunn M.Ed, a counselor to discuss the weight of pregnancy and infant loss.
Lauren created Project Gabriel after her experience of infant loss in 2014. Also, be sure to follow Project Gabriel on Instagram.
On October 14, Project Gabriel is hosting “Pregnancy and Infant Loss: A Night of Remembrance” at Lakeshore Park. It will be a drive-thru event.
Learn more about Dr. Myers
Learn more about Teresa Dunn, M. ED.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren are joined by Dr. John Bartlett, executive principal at Farragut High School in Knoxville, TN.
Learn more about John and Farragut High School.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today Rick and Lauren are joined by Dave Russell, the Associate Pastor of Global & Local Partnerships at Fellowship Church to do a Life Reframed story as part of Global Vision Week at Fellowship Church.
Dave mentions Pastor Albert and the work he does in Tijuana.
Lauren reads a quote from Henri Nouwen’s book Out of Solitude
Dave mentions work in the Lonsdale neighborhood of Knoxville.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Learn more about Dave and the mobilization team.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Today Lauren and Rick are joined by former Mayor of Knoxville and former Governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam to discuss how we can engage culture as people of the Christian faith.
This episode features discussion of Bill’s new book Faithful Presence: The Promise and the Peril of Faith in the Public Square.
Bill references Galatians 4:19
Bill references Jeremiah 29:7
Bill references James 4:6 and and 1 Peter 5:4
Bill references Matthew 5:13
Former Governor Bill Bredesen is mentioned.
Bill references John Lewis and Martin Luther King Jr’s belief in the Imago Dei as the basis for the Civil Rights movement.
Bill references Saul’s unlawful sacrifice in 1 Samuel 13.
Bill references Matthew 5:45
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Follow Bill on Twitter.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
A Life Reframed story we recorded had some new developments we felt were important and so we've decided not to release a new show this week. We will be back next week.
- Listen to RD’s sermon here.
- Here is Lauren’s post that is referenced throughout the episode.
- Rick references a past episode Embracing the Whole Story
- RD references and quotes from Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller.
- Here’s a link to RD’s blog post inspired by the Tim Keller quote.
- For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
- E-mail RD at rdmcclenagan@fellowshipknox.org or find him on Twitter.
- Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
- Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Our guest today is Kevin Dubose, the Director of Area Ministries - Lonsdale Area for Emerald Youth.
Steve Diggs is the President & CEO of Emerald Youth Foundation.
For more on the history of Lonsdale, here’s a brief description.
Here’s more info on the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex.
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. - Isaiah 58:8
Kevin references the history of the Knoxville Civic Coliseum and the Mountain View neighborhood.
Kevin is a graduate of Knoxville College and references its history.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
You can find contact Kevin via the Emerald Youth website or find him on Twitter.
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick referenced this photo of a lifeguard at the Olympics.
Rick references Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Rick and Lauren recommend a past episode on breathing and mindfulness.
Here’s the Thomas the Train reference Rick mentions.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick references a past episode “Embracing the Whole Story”
Here’s the full quote Rick references: “Who you are and who you are not is uniquely designed to offer Christ’s life to the world. How you are gifted and how you are not gifted, this is designed for how you're to make Christ known to the world. What you possess and what you do not possess is uniquely designed to make him known.
What you can do and what you can not do is his design to make himself known through you. You are uniquely designed to offer Christ, and it is your lack, who you are not, what you don't possess, what you can't do, that is the most powerful part of the story. That's the gospel."
The Happy Envelope is a studio and store in Knoxville.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
About Amy Crawford:
Amy is a native of Knoxville, and has been teaching for 30 years. She and her husband of 35 years have four children. She currently teaches 7th grade English at Maryville City Schools.
Amy is involved in the program Reach Them To Teach Them.
Find her on social media here.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren suggest listening to a previous episode as a follow-up to this conversation.
Rick references a quote by Paulo Coelho.
Rick recommends reading the book Boundaries.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Lauren mentions pictures she posted on Facebook from her beach vacation.
Rick references a quote by Courtney Reissig from her book.
Lauren reads two quotes from the Kennesha Buycks book "Restoration House."
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Lauren reads a Facebook post about her adopted daughter Izzy.
Rick mentions a Facebook post about his marriage to his wife Teresa.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick brings up four points to remember for summer fun:
- Being intentional, but not rigid. Rick references a verse in Deuteronomy.
- Stay connected to your heart and God's heart. Rick references Psalm 42:11 and Psalm 46:10
- See the whole of your life so that you're considering what it means for your soul to have rest. Rick references Psalm 62:1.
- Cultivate sustainable habits. Rick references Psalm 25.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick references a quote by Nelson Mandela.
Rick brings up John 10:10 and Matthew 20:16.
Lauren talks about Mary & Dave Price and their business.
Both Lauren and Rick mention Project Gabriel.
Rick talks about a recent Indy 500 moment.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Find Rick's book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Confesor mentions Genesis 3 and Isaiah 49.
Confesor talks about how one of his children was diagnosed with Trisomy 18.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
About Confesor Martinez:
Rick and Confesor met at Trinity College. Confesor lives in Chicago with his wife and nine children.
For more on this topic, check out this article or this article by The Gospel Coalition.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
About Blair Benefield:
Blair has worked with students for 23 years, and currently works as Pastor of the Next Generation at Fellowship Church. Find him on Facebook or send an email to him at bbenefield@fellowshipknox.org.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick references a number of Scriptures, including Ephesians 5:25, Matthew 22, Ephesians 4, and John 13:35.
For more on these topics, check out this article or this article from The Gospel Coalition.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren are joined by guest Brandon Janous in this episode.
Brandon shares about his wife, Rachel, and the life she lived prior to her death in 2020.
Brandon talks about how Rachel loved well and how we continue to see the impacts of that even as she is not physically here anymore. Brandon’s story is powerful, inspiring, and full of love.
See the video of Rachel’s journey here: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.janous/videos/10224056684030357
You can follow Brandon on Instagram @brandonjanous and on Facebook.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
With COVID restrictions being lifted, Rick and Lauren discuss how to have hard conversations with people they maybe haven't seen in awhile. Rick encourages listeners to make peace and decide that the relationship matters more than the fight.
Rick references two articles, one in April 2020 and one in October 2020.
Rick brings up the podcast In Plain Sight.
Rick references a passage in Colossians.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
In their topic of remembering, Lauren mentions her son and Project Gabriel that came out of his life and death.
Rick reminds listeners that it's not our story, it's God's story, and He always shows up.
For more on the importance of remembering, check out this article or this article from The Gospel Coalition.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
First off, our very own Rick Dunn recently celebrated a big birthday! Lauren wishes Rick a happy 60th birthday! Rick then expresses his gratitude for his 60 years and for what he gets to do in his life.
Today’s episode is about moving into a new normal. We have all started to notice that a more normal way of life is coming or here already for some of us. Rick and Lauren talk about things opening back up and life looking more like it did pre-pandemic.
They talk about how it is good to celebrate, but that we must also pause to see what God is doing in the new normal and pursue him in it.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Because both Rick and Lauren consider themselves to be a high-performance person, they disclose that there can be detrimental side effects to living like that. Rick takes time to reframe the negative things, and shows that it's not wrong to do your best, but, as Lauren points out, you have to have fun in life and not take yourself too seriously. The two also talk about how to appropriately parent a high-performance child.
Rick reads Ephesians 2:8-10.
Rick mentions Eric Liddell and "Chariots Of Fire."
Lauren references "Operation Varsity Blues" on Netflix.
Rick brings up a quote from Chadwick Boseman.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
After swapping Easter traditions, Rick and Lauren talk more about Rick's sermon at Fellowship on Easter
Rick also reads a poem he wrote, which he says was influenced by a 'Hamilton' song and a Maya Angelou poem.
Rick and Lauren transition into talking about vulnerability, performance, and risk, and compare these to having to climb a rope in gym class at school. Rick conveys that meeting Jesus in these places is incredibly hard but rewarding because it's where Jesus most wants to meet us.
You can read Rick's poem here.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
After catching up on spring break, Rick and Lauren jump into their topic of Holy Week. Rick discloses that it's easy to skip the days leading up to Easter, but it's important to notice and appreciate each day because each day explains why we need Jesus.
Rick explains how we as Believers have two resurrections: Our resurrection when we first accepted Jesus, and the final resurrection when we get to be with Him fully. He references Peter stating that we were born again into a living hope. Rick shares a story about how his friends in Chicago have suffered, but realized the truth that God pursues us in the midst of our sufferings.
Rick brings up several passages in Psalms including Psalm 139 and Psalm 51.
To understand how God meets us in our fears, Rick compares our fears to graves not yet resurrected. But, Rick says, we can feel secure in Jesus' resurrection, and know that through His death and resurrection, we have hope and courage to face our graves.
In closing, Lauren mentions Holy Week services at Fellowship Middlebrook.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren start the conversation by sharing some things that have been going on in their own lives, like the birth of Rick's grandson Eli.
Lauren brings up how helpful reframing things in her own life has been for her. Rick agrees and mentions how we can meet God in the reframing; he also mentions his life verse.
The conversation moves towards routines, and Rick and Lauren share how different they are when it comes to routine, as well as how they both take time to sit in quiet or process through things.
After their discussion on the significance of reframing, Rick and Lauren take time to thank their team.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren take the first few minutes to introduce Tommy Campbell, and explain their relationship with him.
Tommy shares some of his story and explains how he knew he was being called to ministry as a teenager, as well as how he knew he needed to step out of ministry work. Tommy references the book 'Falling Upward' that someone recommended to him when he was leaving ministry.
Lauren chimes in and talks about how scary uncertainty and trusting in God when you don't know the plan can be. Rick and Tommy add that when this happens, it's important to be present in the moment and listen for what God is up to in your life.
Tommy goes into more detail about what he did after ministry, and talks about how he got into the modeling and acting world and how he is able to share the Gospel in his work. Rick jumps in and says that ministry isn't just working at a church; ministry can be any place where you share Jesus with others.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
About Tommy Campbell:
Tommy lives in Knoxville with his wife Becky, and they have two sons. Find him on social media here.
After introducing Greg, his position at Fellowship Church, and his podcast with RD (Off Stage), the group jump in to discussing what it's like to live with a chronic disease like rheumatoid arthritis.
Greg explains how his struggle with health issues started when he was a child, with severe allergies and asthma. He spends time telling how he ended up in Knoxville, and at Fellowship Church doing college-ministry things, before finding out he had rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's Syndrome in his mid-30s.
Greg also shares that not only did he receive these diagnoses, but he and his wife Jennifer began having trouble conceiving because of medicine he was taking, which was a whole other traumatic event to walk through together. Ricks adds here that what Greg and Jennifer were going through was largely unseen and very isolating because it wasn't an immediately visible suffering.
The group move to talking about how hard it can be for a spouse or your family when you live with a chronic illness; Greg reveals that his illnesses are tough on his wife and two children because he sometimes has to give all his energy to work and has very little left for his family, and he doesn't want them to feel cheated. Because of this, Greg says he has had to find alternate ways to spend time and love on his family.
Greg mentions that while some people might see him as aloof or conceded, he has had to learn how to properly spend his energy so that he doesn't hurt himself or drain himself completely. He discloses that his illnesses feel like his thorn in his flesh, but declares that God's grace is sufficient. He references Romans 3 to show that everything we experience and deal with is for God's glory.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
About Greg Pinkner:
Greg is the lead teaching pastor at Fellowship Church. He and his wife Jennifer live in Knoxville with their two sons, Jack and Luke. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
After introducing the topic, Lauren mentions emotional perseverance and their episode last week.
Lauren highlights the extreme in conversation of either avoiding talking about suffering, or being insensitive in the things you say. Rick adds that we need to find the middle ground between those two, and not be afraid to just start the conversation and acknowledge the pain.
Lauren references Project Gabriel several times throughout the episode, and the lessons she learned about speaking into suffering through her pregnancy with Gabriel.
Rick brings up how important it is to not just assume what the person who is suffering is feeling, but to really listen to them instead of trying to control the situation when you offer to help. Lauren repeats that it's important to let the other person feel whatever they are feeling so that they can grieve and grow.
Lauren discloses that we can't compare losses with someone who is suffering; each and every loss is valid and significant. She also advices to not wait for someone to reach out for help; instead, offer specific ways you want to help.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
After referencing the first episode with Lauren Shaw and a brief introduction of her, the three jump into the conversation about the pandemic and how to thrive during this time despite the fatigue.
Lauren Shaw discusses how it's okay and important to grieve how different our lives are now compared to before COVID. Rick chimes in and reminds listeners to celebrate the things we can do instead of focusing on the things we can't do anymore.
Even though things look very different in our world, Lauren Shaw emphasizes that there are needs (like connection and movement) that will still need to be met, and maybe need to be met in different ways than before. She also mentions that we might find we need more of things now than we did before, like sleep and rest.
Lauren Shaw moves the discussion to talking about checking in with your heart and body each day, asking them what they need each day. She stresses the importance of finding new expectations, and finding accountability for this, as well as setting good boundaries.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
About Lauren Shaw:
Dr. Lauren Shaw is a licensed clinical psychologist living in Chicago with her husband and three children. She works at The Arlington Center. Find Lauren on Facebook, Instagram, or email her at lkshaw1217@gmail.com
Rick begins the conversation by explaining what he means by the word integrity - not just doing what you said you were going to do, but taking it one step further. He references Jesus taking it beyond just committing murder, and Henry Cloud's book on integrity.
Rick gives three words that encompass integrity for him:
- Wholeness
- Reality (and people who hold you accountable to reality)
- Efficacy
Rick emphasizes that so much of integrity starts internally.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick and Lauren begin their discussion of grief first by referencing Open Door's episodes on grief. Rick also references a Mayo article about grief and the pandemic.
Early on, Rick acknowledges that everyone not only has experienced or is currently experiencing grief for something in their life, but that everyone grieves in a different, unique way.
Rick and Lauren then transition into discussing work grief, and how staff departures and change at work can bring about grief.
The two again voice that grief can accompany both the small (like not being able to socialize because of COVID) and the large things (like a death) we experience in life; just because something seems smaller doesn't mean it's not important to you or deserving of grief.
Rick emphasizes that grief shows us our need for God. Lauren brings up that avoiding acknowledging our sadness and grief, or having unresolved grief, can affect us and those around us negatively, so we have to give ourselves (and those in our lives who are grieving) grace and time to heal.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Email Rick at rickdunn61@gmail.com or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Email Lauren at laurengmorgan@gmail.com or find her on Instagram.
Rick begins the episode by welcoming and introducing Dr. Angie Ward and explaining his relationship with her.
Angie jumps in by talking about her book, 'I Am A Leader.' She shares that when she started out in a leadership position, she struggled with an identity reframing and feelings of being alone as a woman in leadership.
Lauren and Angie clarify for listeners that a leader is anyone with influence, not just an organizational or church leader.
Both Angie and Rick also voice that the conversations of leadership and shepherding are important to both woman and men. Angie expresses that someone's calling from God is what makes them a leader, no matter their circumstances or what their lives look like.
Rick brings up the internal transformation aspect of leadership, and how important that is. Angie adds to this by sharing some stories from her own life where she experienced personal growth on her journey to becoming and seeing herself as a leader.
Angie finishes the episode by spending time talking about the tension that can exist for women in leadership, particularly the tension between home, family, and work.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Angie Ward:
Angie is a leadership author and teacher, currently based in Denver, Colorado, where she serves as Assistant Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Denver Seminary. Find her online on her website or on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.
After an introduction of Tracy, she begins the discussion by sharing some of her thoughts about mindfulness and how significant it is for everyone. Tracy then acquaints listeners with the word dysregulation and the different levels that come with this.
Lauren joins the conversation to clarify with Tracy what mindfulness actually is and how to practice awareness. Tracy conveys that the discipline of "slow down and ground" is difficult, but incredibly influential in our daily life.
Beyond yoga, Tracy and Rick suggest trying mindfulness through conversation, stillness and quiet, picking a word for the day, stress balls, and more. Tracy expresses that making decisions from a different, reframed place is the ultimate goal of mindfulness.
Tracy brings up that the practice of mindfulness can increase the fruits of the spirit in us as Believers.
Rick references some positions and postures in yoga that have forced him to learn lessons that have impacted a lot of areas in his own personal life. Tracy echoes this and voices that we have to sit in a lot of things in our lives that can be uncomfortable but important and necessary.
In closing, Tracy implores listeners to try mindfulness, even if it feels uncomfortable or strange at first.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Tracy Serrano:
Tracy is a licensed professional counselor and a registered yoga instructor. She is originally from California, but now calls Knoxville her home. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character…" Rick and Lauren begin this week by referencing this Scripture in Romans 5 to set up their discussion on endurance.
Rick references times in his own life where he's had to put on a brave face and learn endurance, but he follows this up by referencing Paul Tripp's quote about putting our faith and endurance in God.
Rick expresses that as Believers, we shouldn't just try to get through things but should instead find our strength in God so that through endurance, He can grow and transform us.
Rick then takes time to go through four things that help with endurance in the Lord:
- Endure from a place of security, not anxiety
- Take time to root yourself in God's truth and encouragement instead of getting caught up in too much social media or new
- Process and pray before jumping into things
- Look for inspiration
In closing, Rick reminds listeners that once we find our endurance in the Lord, we can share that with those around us.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick and Lauren begin the episode by recognizing the events of January 6; they also reference Greg and RD's podcast episode from Off Stage where they talked about the events as well.
Rick emphasizes how the US democracy has a great need right now for empathy, and Lauren takes time to explain the difference between empathy and explanation.
From there, Rick and Lauren dive into the actual events from what happened at the Capitol and how empathy, both emotionally and cognitively, play into how we should react to the day's events. Lauren ties in her organization Project Gabriel into the talk of empathy, and how important empathy is to her and the organization.
In thinking about empathy, Rick conveys that people have to be accountable for their actions and accept the consequences for what they do, but he also reiterates that we as Believers are called to love everyone.
Lauren references representative Andy Kim helping to clean up the mess at the Capitol, and what that can and should teach us. Rick also references Chris Kennedy receiving a racist letter after putting out a black Santa, and how the neighborhood came along him.
Rick and Lauren wrap up by sharing that we are called to extend love to each other because Jesus extended love to us.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
At the beginning of the episode, Rick and Lauren take time to introduce Russell Biven and share how they know him. Russell then shares some of his story, and how he got into sports.
Russell pauses his story to mention how important it is to let go of the metaphorical masks we wear around each other and just love each other well.
Jumping back into his story, Russell discloses how he got into sports broadcasting and ended up in Knoxville and at WBIR.
Russell reveals how his faith impacts his work; he shares how empathy and sympathy play into his day-to-day life, and how his trust in God is what gets him through hard seasons (like during quarantine or dealing with COVID-19). Russell expresses that he sees every obstacle as an opportunity.
As the episode comes to a close, Russell transitions into sharing a story about his mother when she worked at the YWCA.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Russell Bivens:
Russell has been an anchor at WBIR-TV for over 20 years. He lives in Knoxville with his wife Ronda. You can follow Russell on Facebook or Twitter.
At the start of the episode, Rick shares that he tested positive from COVID-19 and what it has been like for him.
Lauren and Rick then begin talking about their subject of reframing 2020. The two warn that just because the calendar will soon say 2021, that does not mean that all our problems are solved.
Lauren recalls a memory of how she felt when Knox County schools decided to go all virtual. With sharing this, she reveals that she has often felt two contradictory things at the same time throughout 2020. Likewise, Rick explains that he thought he knew how he would end his career, but his plans have had to change dramatically.
Lauren cautions that we shouldn't just throw away this last year and try to forget it; instead, we should try to reexamine it and find the good and the lessons in the year.
Rick transitions into talking about empathy and love, and how important they are and commanded by Jesus.
Lauren and Rick close the episode by expressing how this year has made them value the relationships in their life even more than they already did.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
After touching on what life is like in Knoxville right now and what their Christmas plans are, Rick begins today's conversation by sharing a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book 'God Is In The Manger.'
Rick talks about being available and vulnerable in and to the world, just like Jesus. Lauren mentions talking to her kids after buying a nativity set about some of the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth.
Rick reminds listeners that God values our hearts, not the things that are impressive by the world's standards.
Rick voices that Jesus called us to love our enemies instead of focusing on winning all the time, or adding to evil.
The two close by expressing that we need to focus on Jesus in the manger this holiday season.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
After a brief introduction to Marla DeLong, who has been on the podcast before, the three jump into their conversation about the enneagram. Marla starts by talking about the brain science of fear and safety, and how this ties into spirituality.
Marla mentions "the three R's" which are regulate, relate, and reason. She also conveys the importance of curiosity and noticing things in ourselves so that we can learn how to calm ourselves.
After a prompting question from Lauren, Marla brings up how helpful breathing exercises are. Rick makes it personal by talking about how he can internalize his anxieties; he also talks about how he learned he was an enneagram nine.
Marla talks about how we have to choose to put on things like joy and grace, both for ourselves and for other people. She uses the example of bumping into someone with a cup of coffee and coffee spilling out to show that when you "bump into" a person who is filled with stress, anxiety, or anger, that's what is going to come out of them.
Marla references some resources for listeners who are more interested in this topic, such as The Enneagram Journey podcast, works by Beatrice Chesnut and Ginger Lapid Bogoda, and The Path Between Us.
In closing, Marla goes through each enneagram number and explains what each number does when they get stressed.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Marla DeLong:
Marla specializes in spiritual, relational, and individual healing and transformation at Restoration Counseling. She and her husband Keith have three children. Find out more about Marla here or check out her Facebook page.
After introducing their guest, Dr. Camden Morgante, Rick and Lauren begin discussing this week's topic of purity culture. Lauren mentions that the first time she learned about purity culture was through 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye.' Camden joins in on the conversation about the book, and gives some history of the purity culture movement.
Camden transitions to talk about five purity culture myths that she has written about:
- The Spiritual Barometer Myth
- The Fairytale Myth
- The Flipped Switch Myth
- The Damaged Goods Myth
- The Women-As-Gatekeepers Myth
Camden references that there are some purity culture books today that throw out the idea of purity altogether in favor of consensual, safe sex. She and Lauren also reference Joshua Harris, who wrote 'I Kissed Dating Goodbye,' and who has walked away from Christianity.
To help parents talk to their kids about sex, Camden says to first make sure you have a deeper "why" for not having premarital sex, then make sure you are practicing purity in your own marriage and being faithful to your spouse.
Camden compares stewarding your sexuality to Biblical tithing; we don't tithe because God will bless us financially when we do, we tithe out of faithfulness and obedience to God.
In closing, Camden references 'Talking Back to Purity Culture.'
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Camden Morgante:
Dr. Camden Morgante is a therapist, writer, and speaker, as well as a current college professor. She is a practicing psychologist at Ebenezer Counseling Services in Knoxville. Find her on social media here.
After catching up and talking about Lauren's new puppy, the two get into this week's topic of hope. Lauren addresses how important hope is to her and has been to her in the past. Rick references a quote by Victor Hugo about hope.
Rick mentions the difference between hope and Hope. He uses the illustration of rock climbing to explain how hope and Hope can work in our world. Rick says that in this illustration, God is the rope.
Lauren reminds us that we will always be disappointed in worldly hope, but we will never be disappointed in Hope. She talks more about the loss of her son, and how she was still able to experience hope and joy in that loss.
Lauren and Rick then transitions into discussing how empathy and sympathy plays into hope, and how we can offer these things to others.
Rick references a part in 'Shawshank Redemption' where a character says that hope is a dangerous thing but Rick says that we have to hope because we are called to live in this world and have hope and Hope, and engage in the world.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Brad Raby starts the episode by talking a little about himself before he, Rick, and Lauren jump into the topic of humility.
Brad starts by breaking down exactly what humility is; he quotes Rick Warren and Pride And Prejudice in his explanation. Lauren jumps in and says that false humility can be degrading to the gifts God has given us. Rick emphasizes that there's a difference between ownership (thinking that you earned your gifts or being prideful about them) and stewardship (giving God glory for giving you the gifts you have).
Brad begins the conversation about our natural instincts being towards selfishness, not humility. He shares that we have to look at the motivation and attitude of our hearts in order to shift our actions from selfishness to humility.
Lauren asks the question of how to apply humility in this season with COVID-19, and Brad brings up how the Bible tells us to honor each other in every situation.
Brad, Rick, and Lauren spend time talking through humility in parenting, and how to model humility to your children.
Brad closes by explaining the word Eucharisto, and encouraging listeners to lean towards worship and gratitude.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Brad Raby:
Brad grew up in Oliver Springs and is the lead pastor of Fellowship Pellissippi. You can find Brad on social media here.
After Rick introduces Dr. Harv Powers, Harv begins talking about crucibles and inflection points in life. He shares that crucible times often come with disorientation and distress, which is why it's important to have someone to help guide you through it.
Lauren mentions her organization Project Gabriel because she discloses that a lot of women there have had major crucibles.
In thinking about crucibles and realizing you are going through one, Harv brings up a line from Dante's Inferno.
Lauren makes a connection to what Harv has said about crucibles and seeking help when you're going through one to her daughter's recent diagnoses with dyslexia and what she and her family are going through with that diagnoses.
Harv transitions into discussing how important it is to not just distract ourselves with things instead of dealing with the issues arising in us head on. He brings up the deeper things that have surfaced because of COVID.
Harv then mentions several people in the Bible who went through crucibles themselves, like Moses, Joseph, and David.
Harv, Rick, and Lauren all convey how important it is to stay in the present, take the right next step, and not rely on previous coping mechanisms that we might have. Harv speaks directly to people who are just now realizing that they are going through a crucible, then directly to people who are in the thick of a crucible. He mentions a verse in 2 Corinthians as a resource.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Harv Powers:
Dr. Harv Powers is the president and founder of The Redimere Group. He also currently is an adjunct faculty member of Denver Seminary and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
Rick starts the episode by sharing about "hope that's not related to a candidate."
Lauren and Rick then both share some of their experiences and conversations during early voting.
Rick references a CNN article about how some people are voting more because they hate the opposing party than because they love their own party.
He then transitions into talking about the need for change to happen locally and personally so that change at a deeper and larger level can also start to happen. Rick says you have to play the long game, but you have to start at the individual level before real change can happen. But, Rick cautions, we have to remember that it's God not us Who holds the nation in His hands.
Rick references an interaction between John Piper and Wayne Grudem as an example of a great and Biblical way to politically disagree. He also brings up Utah's candidates who released a joint public service announcement about unity.
Rick and Lauren spend time talking about a New York Times article that shows how we can treat each other with resentment, anger, and distrust because of our political views, but Jesus calls us to love our neighbors no matter what.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick and Lauren welcome Teresa Dunn back to the podcast. Teresa is Rick's wife and works as licensed professional counselor who specializes in sex therapy and trauma. Teresa works with female survivors of sexual abuse.
Teresa discusses whole-person intimacy and how God designed each component of sex; physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Teresa reflects on lies both "purity culture' and "hook-up culture" tell. She posits that our culture's problems with sex do not stem from a high-opinion of sex, but a low one.
Rick circles back (with some help from Teresa) to the idea of whole-person intimacy and how relationships must be grown and worked on, while also being informed by scripture.
Lauren dives into relationship dynamics, including Rick and Teresa's. Teresa introduces the idea of the "imago wound" and the idea of marriage as a redemptive tool. Rick brings up servanthood and venerability as two key components.
Teresa wraps up by noting the importance of marriages consistently evaluating where they are at and taking time to connect.
Teresa's counseling services can be found at restorationcounselingassociates.com or by phone at (865)-357-4673.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
After discussing their rebranding, Rick and Lauren introduce their guest Luke Hochevar before he shares some of his story and his time playing baseball for UT.
Luke goes on to talk about how in his younger years, baseball became his god, and his relationship with Jesus was more about Jesus being his "rabbit's foot" than his God. But, Luke references reading Luke 9 and realizing what it really means to follow Jesus and what the cost is to follow Him.
Luke then spends some time walking listeners through his spiritual journey and what made him turn his life completely over to Jesus. A recurring theme in Luke's story is grace, and how God made Himself known in and through Luke's life because of His grace.
Luke transitions into talking about his injury and his last year of professional baseball in 2016, and his work with Peterson Outdoor Ministries, UPI, and being a chaplain for the Smokies.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Luke Hochevar:
Luke was born and raised in Colorado, and has played for the University of Tennessee as well as the Kansas City Royals and the USA Baseball National Team. Luke and his wife Ashley have three children; Laney, Lucy, and Gus.
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What happened to episodes that were recorded but never released?
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How did you get started on this project together?
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How did Rick raise teenagers with a balance of grace and boundaries?
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What activity or hobby makes you come alive?
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What have you learned about yourself since starting this podcast?
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What are the moments where you think "This is what I was made for" in life?
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What did you think you would be doing when you were 20 years old?
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What do I do when I lose my cool?
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What are your favorite ways to take care of yourself when you're stressed?
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How do you engage in social media without being consumed by it?
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When you have a long-term, persistent struggle in a relationship with someone, how do you reframe it?
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Who do you think is the GOAT in basketball and why?
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What are your favorite / least favorite parts of the job?
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How do you navigate inclusivity and diversity in the workplace when someone's lifestyle is contradictory to yours as a Believer?
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Should we boycott time change this year?
In light of hurt and anger from COVID and the upcoming election, Rick and Lauren start the conversation this week by being honest about all of these feelings and how difficult it can be to have hard relationships right now.
Lauren talks some about either removing yourself or muting people on social media in order to keep certain relationships healthy when you disagree strongly with someone. Rick chimes in and says that this can be helpful because it's easy to have a conversation with someone in your head based on what you see on social media, and have anger towards that person based on this not-real conversation.
Rick references their previous episode about anger in order to preface the statement that forgiveness is a command in Scripture. Rick uses a great example of what forgiveness should look like from his wife Teresa's life; forgiveness doesn't mean you forget or allow unhealthy relationships back into your life. Rick brings up the woman in John caught in adultery to show that when you're forgiven, that doesn't mean there aren't still consequences for your actions.
The conversation then shifts to apologizing and accepting an apology. Lauren brings up that a lot of people respond to an apology with "It's okay" or "You're fine," which is actually not a good response because it can lead people to believe that their actions were fine and acceptable. Lauren also says that responding that way can lead to bitterness if you don't tell people that their actions hurt or upset you. Rick reminds listeners that grace and truth have to come hand in hand, and the command to forgive is not the command to have things go back to exactly the way they were before someone hurt you.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Since there's not a wall to mark spiritual maturity like height growth, Rick starts the conversation by sharing that it can be hard to define. But, he says we can indicate growth by knowing (learning the head knowledge about God), being (worship and prayer), and doing (serving, obeying, etc).
Rick gives the example of Campus Crusade attracting people who like doing, Young Life attracting people who like being, and InterVarsity attracting people who like knowing.
Rick beings to reframe this issue by pointing out that our spiritual growth is not about us, it's about Jesus. The point is not to have a checklist, Rick emphasizes, the point is to have a personal relationship with Jesus that is always growing. Rick gives the example of the marriage retreats he and his wife Teresa do to show that knowing, being, and doing are all about spending time with Jesus, not about just adding one more thing to your spiritual to-do list. Rick asserts that there is no timetable or right or wrong way to do this; it's all about building our relationship with God.
The conversation then moves to spending time with people who have different strengths and spiritual gifts than you in order to learn and grow yourself. Rick conveys that loving others well and deepening your Biblical love for others is a huge indication that you are spiritually maturing.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
After giving a description of surge capacity and offering some examples, Rick and Lauren discuss how you have to reframe the moment you're in because your sense of normal has been disrupted and the way you were living your life won't be sufficient in a surge. Lauren adds that if your surge involved a death or adoption or something that affects your way of life, then you can't expect things to go back to normal at some point because you now have a "new normal."
Rick brings up ambiguous loss and how COVID has brought about so much of that. Rick and Lauren then spend time talking about 9/11 and where they were on that day.
Rick moves the conversation to accepting the season of surging, and reminds listeners that we are all going through this together, but it's also natural and healthy to grieve what you've lost through the surge. Lauren affirms that grieving is normal, no matter what you lost, but you also have to learn how to be strong through the surge, and focus on deepening your relationships.
Lauren mentions that learning how to do things or think outside of the box can be extremely helpful during a surge. Rick expresses that sometimes in a surge, you learn a new way to rely on Jesus, or see your need for Him in a different way.
Rick and Lauren both emphasize that reaching out for help to friends, family, or counselors is nothing to be embarrassed about and can be the most healthy thing you could do.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Lauren and Rick jump straight into the conversation in today's episode, people who you find hard to connect or be patient with. Lauren describes this type of person as someone you wish wasn't in your life, but is, and Rick describes them as someone with a "one-note passion." But, Rick is quick to say that you have to be careful with this topic because it's important to not just cut someone out of your life out of the blue just because you disagree with them.
The conversation then moves into how to not be a hard-to-love person yourself. Rick says it's important to know the rules of engagement in a relationship, and to be humble in all things.
Lauren then asks how do we handle having a coworker, friend, or really anyone in our lives who is hard to love. Rick answers by saying it's not out of place to tell that person that you don't want to talk about a subject because you think it would be bad for your relationship, as long as you do this with love. Rick also says to avoid the mentality of wanting to tear apart their argument with logistics; instead, just listen in love, and give the person grace. Rick also reminds listeners that we all have both light and darkness in us, so it's important to give others grace, but also give grace to ourselves. Finally, Rick emphasizes how important it is to pray before you see that hard-to-love person, that God will love them with His love through you.
Rick uses the example of early in his marriage, when he and his wife were struggling, but God brought him to the Bible passage about loving your wife like Christ loved the church.
To close, Rick and Lauren talk through how gratitude and taking the focus off of yourself can do wonders for a relationship, to think about what God is up to in that person's life instead of being focused on the negatives.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Is there anyone who likes to fail? That's the question Lauren and Rick begin today's conversation with, as they spend time talking about failure and how it can affect us. Lauren begins by using an example of her daughter doing gymnastics, and how her daughter is not afraid to fall. Lauren says she's more like her older child in that they are afraid to fall or fail.
Rick brings up the fact that Jesus' model of disciple-making was based not on the disciples getting it right all the time, but about them trusting Jesus even when they failed time and time again. Rick also says that our shame from the past or anxiety about messing up can cause us to worry about failing and not see how God can redeem us through our failures. Rick brings up David and Psalm 51.
Lauren and Rick move into talking about shame, and what to do with that feeling. Rick clarifies that when God meets us in our shame, He doesn't just fix everything immediately or make it so we never fail or feel shame again. Instead, God pursues our hearts and redeems us in ways we don't expect.
Rick then spends time sharing why God might allow us to fail, and what lessons or bigger picture issues He's trying to teach us. Rick also conveys that failure is a realistic part of our lives, and we have to learn how to handle it, because our default will either be to feel shame or to blame someone or something else.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
With all of the decisions in the world right now, Rick and Lauren begin the conversation of risk by talking about our perceptions.
Rick then encourages listeners to think about the following things as they evaluate risk:
- How the anchoring effect plays into your risk perception.
- How confirmation bias can lead you to believe something is risky even when it's not. Rick gives a very personal example of this and talks about the negative reaction some people have when they find out he's a pastor at a large church, and Lauren shares why she doesn't let her children ride horses as an example of her own.
- How tribalism can change your mind on an issue, positively or negatively. Rick uses the Pac-12 Conference's decision about football as an example of this.
- How much research needs to go into a healthy decision in order for that decision to be reasonable and rational.
With all of these things in mind, Rick mentions that reframing risk for yourself requires humility and respect for people who see things differently than you. He references Paul Slovic's thoughts on dread and risk, but also brings up Psalm 139 and Matthew 6 as an encouragement that God is in control no matter what.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick and Lauren are joined this week by Jessica Nelson, an employee at Restoration Counseling and Rick's daughter. After introducing Jessica, the three jump right into the topic of parenting in today's world, especially with the way school looks right now. Jessica talks about the anxiety that parents are facing right now as they figure out what school should and will look like for their children this year. Jessica also clarifies that life didn't stop when the pandemic hit, so along with all the new decisions parents have to make regarding COVID-19, they also have to deal with all the regular anxieties and decisions of every-day life.
Jessica spends some time explaining what anxiety can do to your body, and some of the normal signs that a child is experiencing anxiety when they don't know how to vocalize it. She shares that parents connecting with their children and finding new ways to connect with them - Jessica gives an example of physical exercise - can help both the child and the parent feel better. Jessica also mentions how important it is for children to feel safe and confident in their parents, but it's also important to be truthful and vulnerable with your children. Jessica references doing a grounding exercise with your children when they feel especially anxious.
The conversation moves to spending time and connecting with your children each day, and Jessica is quick to offer suggestions and different ways parents can check in with their children. Jessica inserts that it's important to find what works for you and your family, don't just follow rules you think you should be following.
Lauren then asks Jessica to spend some time talking about setting boundaries for yourself and for your children, especially if you're a working parent and you're working from home at the same time as your children are doing virtual school at home. Jessica mentions trying timers (asking your children for an hour or two to work, then playing with them for thirty minutes), or doing chores together.
In the upcoming weeks, Rick and Lauren will be doing a Q&A-style episode, so send any questions you might have for this episode to Lauren at lmorgan@fellowshipknox.org or Rick at rdunn@fellowshipknox.org, or find Lauren or Rick on social media.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Jessica Nelson is currently at Restoration Counseling and is working towards licensure as a professional counselor. She works with children, early adolescents, and parents to help strengthen the family relationship. She lives in Knoxville with her husband and two sons. You can find her on social media here.
After mentioning some recent, previous episodes, Lauren sharing a little about her vacation, and both Rick and Lauren discussing their landscaping desires, the two jump into this week's topic of anger.
Lauren starts the conversation by disclosing that she never felt like she had much anger until later in her adult life. Rick admits that he has seen a lot of anger in people because of COVID and the way the world looks right now.
Lauren moves the conversation into how anger can be a good thing; Rick mentions that the Bible doesn't tell us not to be angry, it just tells us how to deal with that anger like Jesus did. Rick mentions an article he recently read about anger, and how the author compared anger to a volcano. He goes on to talk about how anger can be caused by a blocked goal. Lauren voices that her getting angry at things that really aren't that big of a deal is always a sign to her that there's more going on underneath the surface. Rick also brings up anger within the racial issues going on in the world right now, and how that anger can actually push us forward as a society if used correctly.
Rick repeats that anger can be a good thing, but that we have to learn how to walk with God through our anger. He says that anger can be a doorway that leads us to a deeper walk with God and each other. Both Rick and Lauren assert that hiding anger in intimate relationships can be so detrimental to that relationship. Rick uses his marriage as an example of this, and talks about the times he and his wife Teresa have had to deal with how they both express their anger.
Rick wraps up the episode by recapping and emphasizing some things they talked about in this episode.
In the upcoming weeks, Rick and Lauren will be doing a Q&A-style episode, so send any questions you might have for this episode to Lauren at lmorgan@fellowshipknox.org or Rick at rdunn@fellowshipknox.org, or find Lauren or Rick on social media.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick and Lauren begin their conversation this week by sharing what life looks like for them right now as far as how COVID-19 has affected the normal, routine things that happen around this time of year for them. The conversation then turns to how this time in our lives with the pandemic can lead to feelings of disappointment. Lauren discloses that she has been disappointed several times throughout the pandemic because of things like canceled plans or vacation. Rick agrees that he has been and seen disappointment as well, and talks about a young high school student he knows who plays basketball who wasn't able to play for the state championship because of COVID-19.
Lauren voices that everyone has disappointments, and we can't categorize one person's disappointment as bigger or more important than someone else's; everyone has to deal with the loss or grief from their disappointment. Rick then references an article in the Harvard Business Review about disappointment.
Rick warns against disappointment taking root in our hearts and affecting us negatively. He says that by allowing this to happen, it can cause us to have unrealistic relationships and expectations, and can even make us unable to see how God is at work in our lives. Rick expresses that it's good to live with our disappointments because they are a window into what our expectations are. Rick then references two different people: Martin Luther King Jr. and Lysa TerKeurst.
Rick compares going through life with disappointments and learning to trust Jesus instead to climbing a tree; you learn that you have to test each branch and quickly find out that none of the smaller branches can hold your weight, only Jesus can hold you.
Rick wraps up the episode by sharing a story about Teresa his wife telling him, "The day I realized I was in love with you, I was so disappointed."
In the upcoming weeks, Rick and Lauren will be doing a Q&A-style episode, so send any questions you might have for this episode to Lauren at lmorgan@fellowshipknox.org or Rick at rdunn@fellowshipknox.org, or find Lauren or Rick on social media.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Lauren jumps in this week by talking about her recent negative test to COVID, but how she and her family self-quarantined for almost three weeks just in case. Lauren shares some of the emotions she and her family went through during those weeks. From that conversation, Rick expresses that he and Lauren just want to have real conversations that feel authentic to the moment they're in, so right now, that means talking a lot about COVID and the things that come up with COVID, like today's topic of decision making.
To start their topic conversation, Rick mentions last week's episode about fatigue. Lauren references Knox County Schools' announcement to let parents decide if they would send their kids to school or opt for online school. Lauren discloses that this was a tough decision for her and her husband Tommy to make because she felt there wasn't really a right or wrong answer.
In thinking about decision-making right now during COVID times, Rick leads listeners to The American Institute of Stress' website for help. He also asserts that God doesn't play hide and seek; He won't abandon us because we made the wrong decision about something. As long as we are seeking wise counsel, considering all factors, and praying for God's guidance, we can be sure that God will be with us, Rick says. Rick also conveys that even when we realize we've made the wrong decision about something, God can still use that wrong decision for good, or redeem the situation.
Even with all of this, Rick says we are still hardwired to default to the familiar, so that will often affect our decision-making abilities. Instead, he shares some ways you can focus on other things and give your brain a rest before making a big decision.
To wrap up, Lauren references doing a Q&A-style episode, and encourages listeners to send in their questions to her at lmorgan@fellowshipknox.org or Rick at rdunn@fellowshipknox.org, or find Lauren or Rick on social media.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
After catching up, Rick and Lauren begin discussing what fatigue actually is and what a lot of people are feeling right now. Lauren shares that "COVID Fatigue" has been hitting her hard and why she thinks that is. Rick affirms Lauren's feelings and explains that she's not alone in her feelings. They touch on last week's episode about face masks, and how COVID has brought out "Decision Fatigue" as well for some people.
Lauren and Rick then spend time talking about what is "normal thinking" during a time of crisis. Rick brings up some decisions from the Knox County school board and shares a story about dropping his phone in the pool. Rick references a book called The Ostrich Paradox and reiterates that this is a hard season where we need to give people (and ourselves) grace.
So how do you practically handle "COVID Fatigue," Lauren asks. Rick answers that first we have to admit that this is our new normal for now. Second, Rick expresses that we have to rest from this and give it to God, and it's okay if that means grieving before we can truly rest. Lauren chimes in and voices that it's important to focus on what we can do right now, not what we can't do. Rick adds that kindness is extremely important every day, but especially right now.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Because Lauren has been sick, Lauren and Rick start by sharing that they are recording from different locations this week. With lots of sickness in the world and in our communities, and with a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Knoxville (and around the United States), Lauren and Rick use this week's episode to talk about masks.
Rick begins the conversation by explaining that they are not trying to sway people one way or the other when it comes to wearing a mask or not wearing a mask, they just want to take the time to reframe and be honest about the conversation. He mentions something he's heard a lot lately, that people are too tired and stressed to really hear and engage each other well, so we need to start conversations with empathy, Rick says. Lauren adds that these days, because tensions are already so high, it's easy to escalate conversations.
Both Lauren and Rick are quick to point out that we can't just jump to conclusions about people's motivations, especially when it comes to something like wearing or not wearing a mask, because we don't know what that person has been through or what is going on in their heart and mind. Rick uses the example of his friends in Chicago who have had different experiences with COVID-19 than Rick, so their response to things like staying at home and wearing a mask are going to automatically be different than Rick's.
Rick also points out that as Believers, we are commanded to respect and obey the government. So if the government is mandating that you wear a mask, then as a Believer, you need to wear a mask.
The conversation then turns to avoiding judging others who may or may not be wearing a mask. Rick lets listeners know that even at Fellowship Church, the leadership enforces social distancing and highly suggests wearing masks, especially during worship and singing, but they do not police it. Rick expresses that he knows not everyone is going to agree with these policies, but he's had to come to terms with that and realize that he won't be able to make everyone completely happy; he repeats that he can't take this personally, and that we have to be able to be tolerant of one another's opinion and respect each other's decisions. Rick references that we are told in the Bible to love each other well.
Rick closes the episode by quoting from Colossians 3.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Lauren and Rick jump right into this week's discussion of sports. Rick shares that he's been an AAU basketball coach for a number of years. Lauren discloses that her entire family are huge Cardinals fans, but her husband and Rick are Cubs fans.
Rick goes on to say that sports and loving one particular team can be significant because of what the team or the sport means to a family together, or the memories shared between family members. Lauren agrees, and shares some of her own childhood memories and family experiences revolving around sports in Missouri. Rick mentions another story of walking through an incredibly difficult situation with a family and how he was able to initially connect with them over sports. Rick explains that sometimes it's not even about the game, it's just about connecting and sharing an experience with someone else watching the game with you. Rick mentions a quote from Billy Graham: "A coach will influence more people in a year than most people will in a lifetime." Rick also mentions the book he recently wrote on sports.
Rick moves the conversation to talking about walking kids and their parents through the disappointment of not getting selected in sports, and how parents need to encourage their kids to keep trying or try something different. But he also warns parents to not get too caught up in it all and push their kids too hard.
Rick wraps up the episode by telling a story of going to speak to a division one basketball team and telling the players that if their time right then in sports is the highlight of their lives, then they have lived too small a life.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Chris starts the conversation in this week's episode by sharing about some of the conversations about race and the state of our world that he's been having with people since he was first on Life Reframed. Chris also reveals that it's healthy conversations like he's been having that give him energy and motivation to keep conversing, and have even taught him more about himself.
RD voices some things that have been on his heart and mind lately, particularly about the spiritual warfare that is happening right now in our country. RD also conveys that the conversations he and Chris have been having with people about race are so important and need to continue for a long time to come. Rick joins the discussion and expresses how thankful he is for his diverse group of friends (both racially and in age), and that the Lord has been showing him what a gift that is. He brings up Paul and Timothy's relationship as a way to show how the hand-off between generations should go.
Lauren jumps in by revealing some of the conversations she's been having with people lately about her bi-racial adopted daughter. She also discloses that she's pushing herself to be better at getting out of her normal "bubble" and allowing her daughter to have more experiences and learn more about her heritage.
Lauren then poses the question of how do we keep these conversations and this door open for the foreseeable future so that we can be encouraging change for years to come. RD answers that he's looking beyond his lifetime and trying to do things now that will have ripple effects for a long time to come. He also insists that it's the Holy Spirit who will push this movement on and give us the endurance to keep enacting change; it's not about us, it's all about Him. Chris agrees with RD, and adds that we have to figure out the why of what we're doing so that we can hold onto that during hard times. Rick also adds that it's important to be informed during these times and find resources that educate you so you can have informed conversations with people.
Rick spends some time encouraging listeners who may want to help but don't know how to come alongside the people in their life and just ask the question of "how can I help?" Chris also applauds people who have sought out diversity in their friendships, not for the sake of having a "token" friend, but because God's Kingdom is full of diversity.
RD closes the podcast by expressing that it can be daunting to think about how to change the whole world; instead, we have to think about befriending or making change for one person, because that is how the battle will be won. He voices that we have to be willing to switch the spotlight from us to someone else, and be willing to fade into the background and use the strength we have to boost others up and let God be the one Who shines through us.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
RD McClenagan, a native of Alabama, is the Pastor of Young Adult Ministry at Fellowship Church. You can find his podcast Off Stage here.
Chris Walker works with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is originally from Memphis. You can find Chris on Twitter here.
Marla starts the episode by sharing a little about herself before jumping straight into this week's theme, the Enneagram. Marla shares that she has been studying the Enneagram for ten years, and explains that it has helped her as a therapist and as a wife. However, Marla is quick to say that you are not your Enneagram number; instead, who you are is who you are in Christ.
Lauren joins the conversation by disclosing that she and her family have read The Road Back To You as a way to help understand each other better. Marla then shares a little more about what the Enneagram actually is and how to use it to help you understand your motivations versus your behaviors.
Lauren then reveals that she is a two on the Enneagram list, Rick reveals he is a three wing four, and Marla states that she is a two wing three. Marla then takes time to explain the descriptions of each number. Lauren voices that knowing the different Enneagram number descriptions has helped her better understand people in her life, particularly her husband.
Throughout their discussion of the Enneagram, Marla keeps pointing back to the reality that while the Enneagram (and other personality tests) can help you learn and understand yourself and others better, it's important to remember that these tests are fluid and while you might be one particular number, you could have a little bit of another number in you, or you might see elements of a different number pop up in you based on certain factors like stress.
Lauren and Marla then discuss how it's easy to want to identify someone's number for them, or place someone in a box based on their Enneagram number, but it's important to remember that the Enneagram is for you to figure out your own number and how you can relate to others based on your number, Marla states, not for you to analyze or judge someone based on what number you think they are.
Marla goes on to helpfully explain what a wing is in the Enneagram world before mentioning Ginger Lapid-Bogda and her work with the Enneagram in the business world.
Rick brings up again how helpful the Enneagram can be in a marriage, and uses his own marriage as an example. He also expresses how understanding how you relate to numbers different than yours is a great place to show grace.
Marla wraps up the episode by mentioning a few different books to read if you're interested in digging deeper with the Enneagram, including The Sacred Enneagram, The 9 Types Of Leadership, and The Path Between Us, as well as a podcast by Beatrice Chestnut.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Marla DeLong:
Marla specializes in spiritual, relational, and individual healing and transformation at Restoration Counseling. She and her husband Keith have three children. Find out more about Marla here or check out her Facebook page.
Rick and Lauren start this week by recapping some things from the last two episodes before jumping into this week's theme of being wrong and how to turn that into a learning experience. Rick emphasizes that there is no condemnation in Christ, and references an Andrew Peterson song about being kind to yourself. He explains the difference between explaining where you're coming from and excusing your behavior.
Rick then uses an example from his own life when he and his wife Teresa were in couple's counseling to show that admitting when you're wrong doesn't just fix everything right away; it takes time and multiple steps to heal wounds. He also shares that taking responsibility for your actions is the first step to finding grace, but it's certainly not the only step.
Likewise, Rick explains why it's important to take people's criticism or confrontation with a grain of salt; he says to sit with it and take it in before deciding how best to respond. Lauren joins in and shares that she is glad when people bring things to her that she has done that have hurt them because she discloses that's how she learns.
Rick spends some time talking about our default features when someone brings something negative to us that we have done. He asserts that it's important to really listen to what the person is saying, not just make an assumption about their feelings. Rick brings up Jay Desko's article about compassion and candor as a tool to help with this.
Rick closes the conversation by specifically speaking to parents about how important (but difficult) it is when your adult children come to you to talk to you about things they see you doing wrong.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick begins the conversation by referencing last week's episode with Chris before Chris shares how he is connected with both Rick and RD. RD then talks about how so many of the issues facing our world today are Gospel issues.
Chris then talks about hope and what that word means to him. Chris reveals that there have been times where he has cried out to God, wondering if change will ever really happen. However, he asserts that we have to trust in Jesus and do everything for His glory. He also references a recent event at Fellowship Church about hope.
RD conveys that we need to define the reality in the church right now, and focus on building relationships between every race. Rick agrees, and shares some stories from his and Teresa his wife's lives where they have had powerful relationships with people of a different race from them. Chris follows up and says that we have to get to know each other's struggles and pain, and that's what will build strong relationships across all races. RD agrees and says we have to be people based, not project based.
Chris cautions people to not post on social media just to join the hashtag movement, but to be honest and have real conversations with the people in their lives before feeling like you have to post on social media.
Lauren brings up that while we might feel we are having clumsy conversations, Chris affirms that clumsy conversations are honest, and that's what we need right now.
Rick then spends some time assuring Chris, RD, and Lauren that their generation is the one who can bring about real change, and can be the leaders that our culture needs right now. Chris agrees and says that his generation's job is to educate the younger generation. RD jumps in and repeats that this is a Gospel issue, and the Gospel tells us to love everyone, not just those who look like us.
Lauren then shares her own experiences from raising both black and white children.
RD and Chris end the podcast by reiterating what they've said in the podcast - continue educating yourself and others, and continue praying.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
RD McClenagan, a native of Alabama, is the Pastor of Young Adult Ministry at Fellowship Church. You can find his podcast Off Stage here.
Chris Walker works with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is originally from Memphis. You can find Chris on Twitter here.
Chris Walker, a native of Memphis, begins this episode by sharing more about himself and his athletic and spiritual history. Rick speaks about his and Chris' friendship over the years before starting the conversation about some of the current racial events in our country. Chris conveys that he sees some white people telling black people how to feel about racism or what you can and cannot say and emote, and it angers him.
Chris moves the conversation into sharing times where he has felt racism from others in actions and words spoken against him. He asserts that there have been times in his life where he has felt he had to "curb his blackness" in order to make people comfortable. Rick calls this out as "white expectations." Chris also references a time when a white person asked him "Why do you talk white?"
Rick then asks Chris to talk about the times and relationships he has with white people where their conversations are open and honest, and he doesn't feel racism creeping into their friendship. He expresses that his best relationships with white people are where they seek out Chris as a person and a brother in Christ, not as their token black friend.
Chris reveals that right now, black people just need support from the white people in their lives. Chris asks white listeners that if they have black friends, to reach out to them right now and just convey that they love them and that they are with them right now; that's all it takes to start healthy conversations, Chris says. He adds that we need to just sit with our people right now, not share how we might know how they're feeling, but just listen and be in the moment with them.
Lauren steers the conversation to talking about social media during this time; she asks Chris what is helpful on social media right now. Chris responds that he thinks social media has made it comfortable for people not to move into action because they think posting something with a hashtag is enough. We have to match what we post on social media with what we are doing in our circles, Chris communicates.
Lauren talks about raising a black daughter, and Chris jumps in by sharing how important it is to let her daughter feel black and not white.
For educational purposes, Chris has shared some books that would be great for listeners to read: White Fragility, Woke Church, The Color of Compromise, Divided by Faith, and I'm Still Here. You can find Chris on Twitter here and read more about his work with Fellowship of Christian Athletes here.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick and Lauren begin the conversation about shame by first going back to their conversation about being right and how it's easy to shame someone who you think is wrong; Rick uses the example of Adele's weight loss drama.
Lauren says that she started to think more about shame and wanted to a conversation on the podcast about it after their episode with Lauren Shaw. Rick then shares times in his life he himself has experienced shame. Rick and Lauren then spend some time talking about Brene Brown's TED Talk on shame, and how everyone in one way or another has felt shame in their lifetime. Lauren expresses that opening up about shame is such a vulnerable thing; Rick agrees by mentioning shame that Adam and Eve felt in the Garden after they had sinned. Lauren brings it home by talking about the shame people have felt by either wearing or not wearing masks out in public.
So how do you identify shame in yourself, Lauren asks. Rick reveals that he thinks shame is in people when they want to talk about something with someone, but they feel they can't, and Lauren voices that she thinks shame is in the places where you feel you're not enough, especially if you let those kind of thoughts spiral. Rick asserts that it's important to find someone - whether that be a spouse, good friend, or counselor - with whom you can talk about shame in your life. Lauren also conveys that it's important to watch how we talk to others because we could accidentally invoke shame in them.
To close, Rick assures listeners that grace can be most powerful in our shameful places in our lives, so to not give up hope. He references Hebrews where we are told that Jesus has sympathy for our weakness.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Lauren starts this week's episode by talking about how she sees so many people on social media (specifically Facebook) feel like they must be right, no matter what, which can lead to comment wars. Rick jumps in by sharing that he sees how social media can allow people to vent inappropriately without feelings like there are consequences. Rick also shares that there's a difference between sharing something that is factually correct and sharing something that's just your opinion, but pretending that it's a fact. There's nothing wrong with disagreement, Rick says, but we have to disagree in a respectful way.
Lauren then discloses that she can struggle with listening to understand instead of just listening to reply. Rick agrees and voices that it's important to truly listen when someone shares their strong opinions, and not just write someone off as being "that person." Rick stresses that you have to have empathy in a relationship in order to have real dialogue and trust. Rick shares a personal example from his background of putting people in a stereotype box.
Lauren moves the conversation along by asking how do we learn how to talk about our different opinions with each other and not be divided. Rick answers by saying that we have to see others' opinions through their experiences, and respect each others' differences. He shares a perfect example of the pastors of Fellowship's multiple campuses; these pastors vote differently, think differently, and act differently, but trust has been built in their relationships, so they can all work together. Lauren shares her own example of a recent situation where she was wrong about a button in her car, but insisted at first that she was right. She also shares the example of learning things in regards to her bi-racial daughter from the people of color in her life.
Rick and Lauren then spend some time discussing how important it is to sit with people and learn their perspectives and experiences without an agenda, because that's how we will grow trust and build the relationship. Rick emphasizes that it's not a threat to our personal opinions to hear the perspective of others.
To close, Rick expresses that the more we move away from adversarial conversations to hospitable and invitational conversations, the better we will be as a society.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
During this time of Safer At Home, many plans and vacations have had to be canceled. Rick and Lauren start the episode by sharing how their canceled plans have affected them personally, both in the past two months, and in their lives overall.
Rick then transitions into talking about how he considers making plans an act of worship. While Lauren says she's never heard anyone call planning an act of worship, she announces that she resonates with that because of how much she loves planning and how important that is to her. Rick references Mark Buchanan's book The Rest of God as a tool to help us deal with interrupted plans.
Lauren begins a conversation about stewardship versus ownership in planning. She puts this into perspective by talking about big decisions she and her husband Tommy have made in regards to their children's schooling. Rick conveys that if you're really walking with the Lord and listening to the wisdom of your trusted friends and family, then whatever decision you make will be the right one, and the Lord will be with you whatever you decide to do.
Rick and Lauren wrap up this episode by talking about the parable of the talents.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
In yet another quarantine-recorded episode, Rick and Lauren start the episode by talking about what life has looked like the past month or so for them while they stay safer at home. Shortly after, they transition into this week's discussion about being "good enough." Both Lauren and Rick admit that they constantly feel like they aren't good enough in lots of aspects of their lives. Rick talks about how this sense of not being good enough can rob you of the joy of who God made you to be.
Rick explains that he thinks this desire to be better or feeling like he's not good enough comes from things in his childhood and school days, when he found that if he was a certain way or acted a certain way, it would make people like him. But Rick asserts that if he listens to the Spirit instead of his deceptive heart, it can lead to reframing on this subject. Lauren jumps in and says that there are some areas of her life where she's very willing to be vulnerable, but there are some areas where she feels she can't share it because she's afraid it would make people think she doesn't have it all together.
Rick transitions the conversation to what he calls the joy of not being enough. What he means by this is that God is the only "enough" and we can find joy and comfort in this. He also voices that we experience the full weight of grace when we offer everything we have to God, even if we think it's not enough. He references a story in Luke about a widow giving all that she had. Lauren says this resonates with her, because she is her own worst critic and wants to be perfect and awesome at everything, but in order to be in healthy relationships with people, she has to realize that she'll never be perfect, and that's okay.
Rick and Lauren spend the last few minutes talking practical ways to let go of thinking they're not good enough. Rick says one way he has to reframe is by trying to give his worries to God. He also shares that admitting that he will never be good enough is a great way to show God's grace to those around him.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
After reading her blog post about COVID-19, Rick and Lauren decided to ask Dr. Lauren Shaw to join them in today's episode. In the blog post, Shaw writes about how a number of her clients admitted to her that they don't feel they are handling the outcome of COVID-19 well. Lauren, Rick, and Shaw jump into a conversation about how feeling "bad" things (sadness, anger, et cetera) is still handling and reframing the situations in our lives. Shaw explains that we have to change our thoughts from "I shouldn't be sad because God is with me" to "I am sad and God is here with me." She adds that we have to pay attention to what we're feeling and acknowledge that God is already in those places with us, and how important it is to name our emotions.
In talking about emotions, Lauren brings up that she and her family have had to name their frustrations and confusion about how long they will have to stay safer at home, and when their lives will return to "normal." Shaw echoes that sentiment and says that it's important to realize that we are not alone in feeling this way; so many people are feeling this, and we can take comfort in the fact that we're all in this together. Rick also admits that he's feeling all of these things, too, and he has to fight against just pressing down his feelings.
From here, Shaw discusses how to engage with and handle children's fears, anxieties, and all their emotions during this time. Shaw has children herself, so she speaks from her personal experiences with her kids. Lauren shares her own experiences with her kids, and how she often has to stop herself from minimizing what others are feeling.
Discussing emotions, Shaw emphasizes that feeling any emotion isn't wrong; it's what you do with that emotion. Rick chimes in and agrees that by admitting what emotion you are feeling can lead you to a deep conversation with God, or to you realizing that there is something else going on or something else triggering the feeling. Shaw urges listeners to check in with themselves at least twice a day to analyze these feelings, but to remember to give yourself and those in your life grace, especially during this time. To tie in with this, Rick references an article in the Harvard Business Review.
The conversation then jumps to taking care of ourselves, especially right now when our normal rhythms might be off. Lauren mentions that she and her family have gone through ups and downs during this time, and she has had to deal with sleep anxiety. Shaw talks about how she herself dealt with this when she found herself not stopping to feel her true feelings of anxiety. However, Shaw also warns listeners to not get caught up in only taking care of ourselves, but remember the people around them.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
About Lauren Shaw:
Dr. Lauren Shaw is a psychologist from Chicago. She currently works at The Arlington Center as a licensed clinical psychologist. You can read more about Lauren here.
This week's guest is Teresa Dunn, a licensed professional counselor who practices with Restoration Counseling Associates. Teresa begins the episode by sharing about her professional life and how she works closely with couples. Rick jumps in by adding that they often teach and lead together in their professional lives. Teresa then discusses what she calls The Marriage Dance, which is when a couple has the same argument again and again. Teresa references Harville Hendrix and his work on marriage and the imago wound.
Lauren then leads the conversation by talking about how her and her husband Tommy are both working from home, and she's seen a whole, new side of him which she calls "Work Tommy." Rick and Teresa agree, and disclose that they have also had to learn how to walk through this, as well as learn how to deal with the differences in each other.
This leads Teresa to assert that we have to accept each other's differences as a gift and not a barrier, and how important it is to reframe your thinking to see it this way. Rick agrees, and says that he is learning to reframe his thinking in every season of their marriage. Teresa explains that this is why counseling can be important for couples; it can be hard to reframe things in your own life, and counseling can help you see it from another person's perspective.
Teresa closes the podcast by sharing that signs of a healthy relationships are communicating well with each other - in both speaking and listening - and solving conflicts in a healthy way. Teresa reveals an easy acronym to help you remember the best way to communicate: FAN, which stands for feeling, affirmation, and need.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Teresa starts the episode by talking about communication and conflict, and the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict in a marriage. Conflict, she says, is just the way that lets the marriage partners know there's a problem that needs solving. Teresa and Lauren agree that the enneagram test is a great way to get to know your partner and how they might handle conflict. Rick joins the conversation by sharing that while Teresa is very comfortable with conflict in their marriage, Rick was and still is uncomfortable with the conflict, although he's learning to handle it better.
Teresa conveys that a lot of times in therapy, she hears one of two things: The person never heard or saw their parents fight (because Teresa said they probably had a "vanilla marriage"), or they saw their parents fight constantly or aggressively, where the parents were trying to win the argument at all cost. But, Teresa says, we have to view our partner as our teammate who wins or loses with you.
Rick then reveals that he has had seasons in his and Teresa's marriage where he loved her selfishly, and had to cry out to God for help. He says that even now in their marriage, Teresa has to remind him that they are teammates, not just going through the hard times alone. Teresa voices that couples have to remind each other of this because when teammates turn on each other, the game completely changes.
Lauren moves the conversation to talking about how to create space and have a healthy marriage right now while we're safer at home. Teresa asserts that it's important to have honesty in the relationship, and show that you care about each other's needs right now.
From there, Teresa moves into discussing what to do when one partner isn't willing to go through conflict with the other. She says that it's important for the one who wants to get through the conflict to focus on themselves and what they can do; that is what they are accountable to the Lord for in their marriage.
Lauren urges listeners to leave any questions they may have about conflict in marriage in the comments.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
It feels like we are waiting for everything right now. Waiting to hear updated news, waiting until we can leave our homes, waiting for life to go back to normal. Rick and Lauren start this episode by admitting that waiting is a hard thing to do. But just like Rick emphasizes, waiting is Biblical; in fact, Rick says that 'wait' is in the Bible over a hundred times. We are told to wait and we will find hope, wait and you will find courage, wait and you will find strength. Rick takes these Scriptures and interprets them as God asking us to let Him fill the spaces of anxiety and fear during the waiting.
Lauren agrees with Rick on letting God fill these spaces, and talks about her family's loss of a child, and how they had to wait on a death they knew was coming. Lauren describes how she and her family had to learn how to be actively waiting and find ways to carry on with life, and not fall into the passivity that can accompany waiting.
Rick then leads the conversation to the waiting we are all currently experiencing during COVID-19. He admits that there are times where he wakes up and thinks, "I don't know how to lead today during all of this," and says that his insecurities have flared up more than ever. However, Rick assures Lauren and listeners that he is trying to invite God into these places, and not let his flesh take over. He references 1 Chronicles 14, where David had to wait on the Lord, and encourages listeners to not put things on their shoulders, but to trust God when He has us waiting.
To help in the waiting, Rick and Lauren encourage people to be honest about where they are in the waiting, and not be afraid to acknowledge to God about the moment you're in. Rick expresses it's important to admit that you aren't God, and you don't have control over things in your life, but God does, and He's worthy of trust.
In closing, Rick reminds listeners to not wait for something, but wait in something with God in control.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Hard conversations at work, communicating with your children in the midst of their fears, achieving success in everyday life. These are just a few of the anxiety-inducing things that Lauren and Rick discuss in this week's episode.
Rick calls anxiety the window into our belief system, but also references Philippians where we as Believers are called to not be anxious but instead to pray. He also references a leadership tool called non-anxious presence. Lauren jumps in by saying that she has to hide some of her anxiety from her kids in order for them to not feed off of her anxiety. Rick agrees that he also struggles with acknowledging his anxiety in front of his children.
Even in the midst of anxiety, Rick and Lauren recognize that things like prayer and acknowledgement - naming their anxiety out loud - can help immensely because the story God's telling is bigger than our fears.
Because COVID-19 is such a huge part of our lives right now, Rick and Lauren realize that it's important to talk about their anxiety around the virus. Rick admits that he has had a lot of anxiety lately because of COVID-19, but he realizes that some of that comes from him not trusting God completely. Realizing this, Rick says, has allowed him to get closer to God and closer to his coworkers by being honest and inviting Jesus into the hard places. Lauren joins the conversation by talking about her family's struggles during COVID-19, and how she knows she needs to reframe and restructure her attitude and thoughts towards her current circumstances. One way Lauren says she knows she needs to reframe is by being more thankful every day, not just the days that are easy.
Along with being more thankful, Rick adds that this time of anxiety is a lesson for him to let go of his attachment to the things that make him comfortable. He references a passage in Matthew where Jesus tells us to not be anxious about anything.
To wrap up the episode, Rick talks about 1 Peter, where the author reminds us where to put our hope.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Rick starts this new podcast with Lauren by announcing that life comes at us fast, and we need to learn how to pause, reframe, and think about what really matters and what is important. Lauren jumps in by agreeing with this and adding that there is a greater purpose for everything, even the negative or confusing things. She continues by sharing some of her own story of her loss of a child, and the joy and challenging reality of being an adoptive and foster parent. She also shares a time recently when she had to reframe her thinking through her daughter finishing last in a gymnastics competition, but later telling Lauren that she had the most fun day ever despite finishing last.
Rick joins in by sharing some of his own experiences, including his conversations and time with Rachel Janous, a mother of three who recently passed away. Rick conveys that his time with Janous was such a privilege for him because whenever he would walk out of her hospital room, he felt like his whole life was reframed.
After sharing their experiences, Rick and Lauren spend the rest of the episode explaining that we might know the "why" in our lives cognitively, but we need to be constantly reminded of it, and turn our lives from us being in control to Jesus being in control.
Right at the start, Rick and Lauren discuss how they first began thinking of doing a podcast together, through their relationship growing as Lauren began to engage Rick in conversation through questions she had. Lauren adds that she knows people enjoy Rick's ideas and opinions, and she was excited to let people in on their unique conversations.
Rick then jumps to encouraging people to see the bigger story, since this is something Jesus did all the time, telling His disciples about the Kingdom. Lauren voices that these conversations that she and Rick and their guests will have may be hard, but it's so important to have them. She also adds that these conversations are important because being vulnerable is how people connect and grow with you. Rick agrees, and expresses that you have to be aware of what's appropriate and when to share, but still encourages people to be vulnerable in their conversations. He references Susan Scott's book 'Fierce Conversations' as a good tool for people.
Rick and Lauren assure listeners that they know these conversations they will have won't fix people, and they're not trying to do that; they're simply trying to engage people in conversation and allow God to work in people's lives.
For more information on this podcast, visit podcast.fellowshipknox.org
Join Rick and Lauren as they dive into a brand new podcast about how to rethink situations and experiences in our lives in a way that honors and glorifies God, and ultimately brings us closer to Him.