Further Up and Further In

Anyone catch the Star Wars quote there? Anyways, on a completely unrelated topic, the book of Nehemiah is filled with adventure, challenges, enemies and lessons for us today. Nehemiah was able to resist his enemies by knowing his identity and his purpose. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about the importance of identity and purpose along with some questions to ask ourselves.

No one likes the discomfort of unsatisfied longings and we often respond in all kinds of unhelpful ways. However every longing holds an invitation to know God in a fresh way. Listen as Michelle and Amy stumble over a CS Lewis quote and have some thoughtful ponderings about longings.

It is our favorite time of year when we look back at what God has done over the past year. In spite of our initial skepticism we are grateful for what He has done. Listen as Michelle and Amy debrief 2022 and encourage their listeners to seek a word for 2023

First released on November 2 2018. This episode is the why. Why the topic, why the podcast, why the name? Listen as we dive into the relentless pursuit of Jesus - further up and further in.

First released on November 30 2018. Michelle tells her story of Jesus calling her further up and further in, boldly being seen and known with her red shoes on.

Michelle and Amy tackle part two of listener questions. Listen for nutshells and nuggets about how to be a blessing, what healthy habits look like and more!

We love listener questions! So we decided to tackle a few on this episode. Listen for nutshells and nuggets as Michelle and Amy respond to a few questions like how to make friends, what's the mind of Christ all about and more! Also apologies for the loud furnace in the background at some point, Amy just isn't skilled enough at editing to remove it!

Can grace be cheap? Are we getting off too easy focusing on love of Jesus and not spending enough time telling people to stop sinning? Listen as Michelle and Amy tease apart the ideas of greasy grace and holy living.

Sometimes we get stuck in the past because it was so good. Sometimes we feel trapped in the paste because it was so hard. Neither one is our destiny. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about moving forward into what's next.

Life is uncertain. Sometimes we're simply more aware of this reality than other times. No matter what season you're in there are three things you need to know

It's been a whirlwind summer of changes. Listen as Michelle and Amy catch up with each other and their listeners and discover some delightful things along the way.

We wish we had some easy answers but we can only offer some of our solid rumblings! Listen as Michelle and Amy unpack thoughts around discerning the difference between healthy anger and having a temper tantrum.

The one in which Michelle reflects on her year of eating giants for breakfast and Amy goes down several rabbit trails. It's guaranteed to give you an appetite for giants!

They've talked about it before and they're talking about it again. Turns out there is more to be discovered for both men and women in the story of Martha and Mary. Listen as Michelle and Amy discover some really encouraging and inspiring things.

When we know Jesus we don't have to be sad, right? Well, not exactly. You can be sad and anchored to Jesus. Listen as Michelle and Amy review the healthy lament tool and share some recent discoveries.

We're prone to comparing ourselves to others. Sometimes comforting oneself with the idea we're better than others, sometimes intimidated by wishing we were more like someone else. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with some of their own challenges and strategies for living free of the beast of comparison.

Often we have a clear picture of what we think rebellion looks like. However, rebellion is sneaky and can show up in our heart posture looking a little different. Listen Michelle and Amy talk about the nuances of rebellion and what the antidote is.

Vulnerable, authentic, transparent. Are they the same thing or different? Listen as Michelle and Amy respond to a listener's question about how and when to be vulnerable without it blowing up in your face.

How do we overcome other people's judgements? Guess what... it's not by judging them in return. Listen as Michelle and Amy admit they wish that was the answer and talk real life strategies for this real life problem.

Ever feel defensive? Unsurprisingly we have also found ourselves feeling defensive from time to time. How do we navigate being wrong and staying connected? Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with the counterintutive journey further up and further in.

Do you feel like you struggle to hear God speaking to you? Or is He even talking at all? Or perhaps He only speaks to certain people? Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about some common barriers to hearing from God.

We love hearing from listeners! And we also love that guys listen to our podcast too. In today's episode we talk to our good friend and faithful listener Scott Whitford. Listen as Scott shares some of his own journey further up and further in.

This week's episode is an interview with a special guest who has a relatable story about her pursuit of life further up and further in.  Listen as she authentically shares her journey of wanting to just chuck a relationship and how Jesus invited her into brave steps that didn't change the other person (as she would have hoped!) but made a radical difference in her own life. Listen at your own risk—you'll be inspired!

We can't always pull ourselves up by our bootstraps when we're at the end of our rope or just slogging through the grind. What we need is a word of life that sparks strength and joy. But how do we get there? Listen as Michelle and Amy share two different ways they recently received that fresh burst of life that gave them strength and strategy for the season in which they find themselves.

Sounds fun doesn't it? Afterall the whole world is getting stuff wrong and as followers of Jesus we're supposed to fix it right? Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with a desire to flip tables and what Jesus might have to say to his followers about their assignment.

Unity is tricky, certainly not as easy as it sounds and we don't have any easy answers either. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble through their own challenges and share some of their bright ideas around this hard but important topic of unity.

Sometimes the journey of further up and further in goes off the beaten track. This can be awkward and it's led Michelle and Amy to frequently say "It's awkward but I'll do it and it will be good." Listen as Michelle and Amy unpack their process of how to do awkward without it being a total disaster.

Join us and our special guest Jody who graciously shares her story of hitting rock bottom and turning to Jesus. Once again her story demonstrates the risk, the guts and the glory of letting go of what feels safe to find the life we've longed for.

We hear the words spiritual disciplines and think prayer or reading the Bible; however spiritual disciplines cover a wide range of activities. Listen as Michelle and Amy discuss the spiritual disciplines of having fun and technology fasting.

The Christmas season can put a lot of pressure on our lives. Sometimes it makes us feel like we don't even like Christmas. Those awkward not pretty places are exactly where Jesus wants us to know his presence. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with the need to know him as well as carry his presence to others.

Advent is all about waiting for the fullfillment of God's promises. It's also when it is easy to lose our way, our hope and our sense of expectation. Listen as Michelle and Amy unpack the nitty gritty of sustaining hope in the waiting. Michelle Dwyer's new book Fierce Hope is now available for pre-order on Amazon: Fierce Hope

We got some questions on our Boobs, Bellies and Butts episode and we decided we would take the time to rumble with some of them. Listen as Michelle whines and Amy expounds on this complex and important topic!

None of us want to be weak. We do our best to show up strong but sometimes we find ourselves in a spot of weakness. This occurs despite our best efforts to avoid it. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with what it means to discover God's strength when we find ourselves at the end of our own.

Does purity culture get you riled? Us too! Like many other things, it's a messy place of tension. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble about what it means to live with integrity in this tricky issue.

In Part one of this two-episode series, we talked about authentic hope. Listen as Michelle and Amy take a deeper dive into what it means to have faith in God and his goodness in both the process and moment.

Following up on the Facts of Life episode, we wanted to talk more about fierce hope when facing giants that block out the light. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about authentic hope that is more than a whimsical feeling that comes and goes.

Listen as Michelle and Amy make noble attempts to sing theme songs and Sunday school songs as well as chat about eating giants for breakfast

Does Jesus heal today? If not, why not? We don't have all the answers but we do have a lot of thoughts. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with this difficult but important topic. 

Does God really want us to be thankful for all things? Nope! But we can pave a highway of holiness through our places of weeping by giving thanks in all things. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with why this is uncomfortable but essential. 

Michelle and Amy share some thoughts about what they have been learning about loving well, boundaries and staying connected.   Book referenced: An Impossible Marriage by Laurie Krieg & Matt Krieg. Buy it  An Impossible Marriage on Amazon

Do we want God to act more like our father or grandfather? Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble about the discomfort and delight of being one of God's beloved children.

Works and faith are intrinistically connected. Avoiding the ditch of performance doesn't get us off the hook of obedience. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about some of the practical ways we can demonstrate our faith through obedience.

Ever feel like you're stuck somehow because you messed up? Could have done something differently and now you just have to make the best of it? Here's some good news, your life is not plan C or even plan B. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about pride, arrogance, the nature of God, how some people in the Bible are just losers and how Jesus is making our lives Plan A.

There are some mountains we are commanded to move and some mountains where we are to meet God on. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about the difference and how we don't want to miss the opportunity to meet God on the mountain.

Recently we were asked some questions about joy. What does true joy look like? Are we to be annoyingly postive and smiling all the time? Should we be spouting catchphrases and memes? Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about what true joy looks like, how to cultivate it and how joy isn't about toxic positivity.

The answer is yes. The question is who or what you are a slave to? You actually get to pick. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with the reality that we choose to obey God or we choose to obey sin.

Turns out Michelle and Amy have a lot to say about men and women working together in all the ways God has designed for them. Fasten your seatbelts, they get a little excited in this episode. This is one both men and women are sure to enjoy, they promise!

When is it okay to judge? How should we react when we are being blamed and accused? Listen as Michelle and Amy get honest about judgement, accusation, and blame and talk about how to overcome these tantalizing but toxic tormentors.

COVID-19 isn't the only thing that's been happening this last year, but it has been dominating everyone's conversations and thoughts. Other things, both joyful and sorrowful, have occured this year separate from COVID-19. In this focus-shifting episode, listen as Michelle and Amy talk about what else is happening.

We need to tell our stories of how Jesus has shown up in our lives but there are a million reasons why we simply don't want to. Listen as Michelle and Amy talk about some of their struggles and strategies for overcoming their hesistancy and get excited to share your story!

Amy plays devil's advocate and challenges Michelle on inner healing, personality tools and the like. Listen as Michelle and Amy rumble with the truth that letting God clear our junk is making us more like Jesus.