The Pause Podcast

Oh Mark, in all your Nick Miller glory - we learned so much from you this season! Marri and Lindsay discuss what they both gleaned from time in the narrative from Mark. It's been a holy, sobering journey. Our mediation invites you to examine the same.Mindfulness practice: A Low/High Meditation

The Great Commission (aka Jesus as Denzel in Remember the Titans). Lindsay and Marri unpack Jesus' last words in His time here on Earth and what it means to us today. How do we live out the commission to go out to all the nations with this message of the Gospel?Mindfulness practice: Commissioning Meditation

Marri and Lindsay unpack the mystery behind the abrupt ending of Mark chapter 16. Marri answers the question - what if chapter 16 really ends at verse 8? - and unpacks the angel's simple instructions for the women at the empty tomb.Mindfulness practice: ACTS meditation (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication)

Marri and Lindsay talk about the characteristics of some of the best female superheroes - Jesus' disciples. They were courageous, smart, and compassionate. They were agents of mercy, justice, and empathy. These women showed up after Jesus' death while the men scattered. May we learn to be these women.Mindfulness practice: Gratitude Meditation

Marri and Lindsay unpack the word “envy” used in Mark chapter 15. Pilate is making a decision about what to do with Jesus and it's the high priests' envy that stirs the crowd to yell, “Crucify Him!” We unpack what we ourselves stir people towards. (And yes, we talk Hamilton).Mindfulness practice: Confess and Release

We've reached the last events of Jesus' life. The rooster crows, Peter denies Jesus three times, and then weeps bitterly at what he's done. Lindsay unpacks the redemption of how Peter's story turns out - and it is one of grace, commissioning, and breakfast by a fire.Mindfulness practice: Campfire Visualization

There's a random, naked man that runs through the garden when Jesus is getting arrested. That's it, one line - his linen cloths fall away and he's nude. But when Marri peels back the layers of symbolism in the linen garments that are left behind, we see a really, really beautiful metaphor for redemption.Mindfulness practice: Linen Shroud Meditation

But what kind of life is worth living? How will you live in the meantime? Lindsay and Marri take a deeper dive on the last verses in chapter 13 on how Jesus encourages His disciples to live. Live with expectancy. Stay awake. Keep watch. Be on guard.Mindfulness practice: Prayer of Examen

Jesus predicts the desolation of the temple, which leaves everyone flabbergasted (which, of course, reminds Marri of The Emperor's New Groove). The destruction of the temple would essentially mean the end of the world for the Jewish people, but Jesus had something else in mind. What if the presence of God meant so much more than a temple? We consider the perspective of Jesus' words and what it could mean for us today. Compassion, grief, loneliness, belonging, the presence of God - we cover it all.Mindfulness practice: Psalm 104:29-30 Breath Prayer

A widow walks into a temple and teaches us a thing or two about generosity. Marri and Lindsay examine the heart behind giving. What sets the widow apart from the other people who gave that day? Others gave what they would never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford. We unpack the posture of giving and what that looks like in our world today.Mindfulness practice: Body Scan

Today, we put ourselves in the shoes of the scribe who approached Jesus and asked him what the greatest commandment is. And Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” Can it really be that simple? Love God, love people!? Marri and Lindsay both zoom in and zoom out on these verses.Mindfulness practice: Loving Kindness Meditation

The one where Jesus goes all Hulk in the temple. Marri and Lindsay unpack what made Jesus so righteously anger that day He turned over the tables in the temple… which leads to a conversation about the American Church today. We talk specifically about racial reconciliation and what role the Church should play in the midst of these injustices. We sit in the really hard question - Church, what do you care about?Mindfulness practice: Contemplative Prayer

The most dramatic Markan sandwich!!! Jesus gets hangry and yells at a fig tree. But as Marri and Lindsay unpack this sandwich about a withered fig tree and overturning tables in the temple, we see what Jesus is really saying - that there's a connection between our faith and our fruit. Fruitlessness is faithlessness.Mindfulness practice: Lectio Divina focused on the Fruit of the Spirit

Ah, the Sons of Thunder. James and John ask Jesus if they can sit on his right and on his left in His glory… and Jesus responds OH I'M SO GLAD YOU ASKED. Marri and Lindsay unpack what the Kingdom of God has to say about power. Is servanthood really “power” in the Kingdom of God? What does it mean that the first will be last? We deep dive on what it means when Jesus says “not so with you” - and we end up talking about Michelle Obama, John Lewis, Brene Brown, Glennon Doyle, and Jacinda Arden.Mindfulness practice: Lectio Divina

In our special kid's episode, Lindsay and Marri are joined by Aidah (Marri's five year old daughter). Aidah tells a joke and talks to us about how much Jesus loves kids. As we study the story of Jesus letting the little children come to Him, we talk about the connection between being both kingdom-minded and childlike. We can learn so much from those younger than us.Mindfulness practice: Mac and Cheese Breaths

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We did it! We made it! Lindsay and Marri wrap up their thoughts and reflections from the journey and share their highs and lows from a season spent in Exodus. We also introduce a hot debate when it comes to The Prince of Egypt - who has the better voice, Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey? And, obviously, we sing.. again.Mindfulness Practice: High/Low Reflection

Day 29 is a family episode! Marri's family, Aidah and Drew, join us for a retelling of the story of the burning bush from Exodus 3. Aidah gives us a closer look at this part of the story while Drew tells us about his great love for the magnificent Golden Eagles. Aidah encourages us to smell our favorite foods and use our imaginations during our mindfulness portion.Mindfulness practice: Burning Bush Visualization

What a story! We've reached the last chapter of Exodus today and reflect on the heroic narrative of Moses. There's so much beauty to the arc of this sweeping narrative, particularly when it comes to the completion of the tabernacle - the place where God dwells. Marri unpacks how the tabernacle connects to Jesus' death on the cross.Mindfulness practice: Holy Noticing Visualization with Anchor Verses

When it comes to the the love and care of people (whether in work or parenting or whatever context you find yourself in), it can often exceed our capacity to manage. We need a strategy. Sabbath is our strategy. Lindsay unpacks the wise words from pastor Eugene Peterson in his book Working the Angles. How does Sabbath embody the elements of prayer and play.. and how do these two overlap? Who knew rest could be so whimsical and worshipful and adventurous!?Mindfulness practice: Holy Noticing Meditation with Anchor Verses

If someone asked you the question “who are you,” how would you answer? Lindsay talks about the first time she was asked that question by a counselor and how she now asks that question of others. Lindsay and Marri unpack how Exodus 34:6-7 the Lord's answer to that question - words proclaim His character and His nature. How do we model our own character and nature after these words?Mindfulness practice: Holy Noticing Visualization with Anchor Verses

Somehow, Marri and Lindsay end up in an in-depth discussion about the parallels between Exodus 33 and the plot of Disney's Moana. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you should go watch it because there are significant spoilers. Lots of laughs, a few tears - it's worth the watch and then worth the listen.Mindfulness practice: Moana Visualization

When the cat's away the mice will…immediately break a divine covenant and melt down their jewelry to make a golden calf. That's right - we've reached Exodus 32 and the Israelites have really messed things up this time. God and Moses have a serious chat about whether or not to wipe them out completely while Lindsay and Marri talk about intercession.Mindfulness practice: The Lord's Prayer

Today's episode is a bit of a grab bag, which is fitting, since Exodus 31 is as well. Marri and Lindsay talk for a while about Craftsmanship as a spiritual gift and then pivot pretty sharply into a darkly humorous exploration of Sabbath. When an episode ranges from The Sistine Chapel to Andy Samberg movies you know it's a good one.Mindfulness practice: Creativity and Wonder

We've reached God's first set of instructions for the tabernacle that He's asked Moses to build and it is FANCY. Spanning 5 chapters, these instructions describe a place is dripping in gold, precious gems, detailed embroidery — Versailles-level extravagance. Marri and Lindsay talk about this surprising focus on design and the connection of beauty and glory.Mindfulness practice: Hymn Meditation

Today Lindsay revisits her college glory days as we talk about obedience. We learn - like Moses in Exodus 24- that when we believe (and obey) a God who truly loves us, obedience is less of a grind and more like an adventure. He sees us in a way we never could.Mindfulness practice: Holy Noticing - Engage Your Environment

We talk promised land in today's episode through the lens of calling. Sometimes God gives us dreams and hopes and callings, but oftentimes (most of the time) it doesn't come to fruition all at once. We unpack the questions - are we being responsible with the parcel of land that we have now? What do we do in the meantime?Mindfulness practice: Clearing Space Meditation

Exodus 21 holds more .. and more… and more law. Marri and Lindsay unpack one of the core and essential messages of this law - life matters. Life is sacred. We process the truth that nothing is worth more than us living and breathing. Do the decisions we make with our lives reflect this? We ponder in today's episode the truth that we have value just by existing.Mindfulness practice: Holy Noticing Meditation with Anchor Verse

We've reached the Ten Commandments! Marri and Lindsay unpack the identity of the law and how it points us to how to love God and love people. Why was the law given? Why is the law important? What did God mean when He put the law in place? We process the place it has in our lives today.Mindfulness practice: Ten Commandments Meditation

The Israelites have arrived at Mount Sinai, a place that would hold great significance for them. In today's episode, we process places and settings that hold significance for us - places where God has showed His promise and paused us to prepare us for what's to come.Mindfulness Practice: Sacred Space Meditation

We take a cue from Jethro's words to Moses in Exodus 18 and talk boundaries in today's episode. In whatever ministry or leadership context we find ourselves in, we discuss how healthy boundaries leads to endurance and obedience. Saying no can lead to a better yes.Mindfulness Practice: Healthy Boundaries Meditation

Exodus 17 tells the story of the miraculous effect of Moses' outstretched arms over the battle of the Amalekites and the teamwork involved in that miracle. Marri shares the emotional story of a friend who held her up in a time of deep grief.Mindfulness practice: Visualization of Burden Sharing

We've reached Exodus 16: time to talk about manna. Marri and Lindsay nerd out on some theories about what manna was actually made up of (um, insect secretions?) and then dive into the concept of manna. Why does God seem to feed most of us in daily portions? Is seems annoying or even controlling, but is there a mercy there?Mindfulness practice: Guided prayer with ACTS model

Exodus 15 includes the Bible's first song: The Song of the Sea. We're often tempted to skim through this chapter, but Lindsay invites us to PAUSE and notice - why is this moment so important? What role does celebration have in our collective memory? Is celebration an act of worship?Mindfulness practice: Your Own Song

Exploring Exodus 14, Marri and Lindsay psychoanalyze the Israelites and talk about the effects of trauma on the brain. We explore the concept of learned helplessness and the ways that we see God's choices and decisions made specifically to heal the Israelites, rewrite their trauma and establish new pathways in their minds, hearts and relationships.Mindfulness practice: Guided Nature Walk

Into the desert we go, to lose our minds and find our souls. John Muir said it about the woods, but from what we can see in Exodus 13 and beyond, DESERTS are where God likes to meet and strengthen His people. We whip out the map and take a look at the meandering route God leads the Israelites on once they escape from Egypt. What's the significance there? Are the wilderness seasons of our lives more important than we think?Mindfulness practice: SILENCE

Lindsay and Marri unpack the first Passover meal and why, thousands of years later, Jesus at the Last Supper changed everything. We process the meaning of Jesus' words to his disciples in light of the history of the people of Israel. What a story!Mindfulness Practice: Sacrifice to Remember Meditation