Under the Willow Tree

In this episode we dicuss some of the things we've continued to wrestle with in this season and some new perspectives we've gained along the way. This is our last episode for season 1, we will be returning for a season 2 with new content in January. Until then we will continue to post some fun things on Instagram and Facebook, so be sure to follow us @underthwillowtreepodcast. Elise can be found on Instagram and Facebook as well @eliserjames and Tamara can be found on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode:BEMA Discipleship https://www.bemadiscipleship.comThe Bible Binge https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZV7O4SgJVwdBjRFvU04Pf?si=c4725b65289b4c68 The Swipe Up+ Newsletter https://erinhmoon.substack.com/

What does it look like when those around you are dating but you remain single? How do you handle the struggles that come with that? How do you walk in contentedness for where God has you? We discuss this and more in this week's podcast. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast. Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook @eliserjames and follow Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: BEMA Discipleship Popcast: https://www.bemadiscipleship.com"Relationships: A Mess Worth Making" https://www.amazon.com/Relationships-Making-Tim-S-Lane/dp/0977080765/ref

This week we discuss the desire for strong mentorship and what that looks like, what we want it to look like, and what it can be. We also talk about recognizing areas where we can be mentoring others. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook at @underthewillowtreepodcast. Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook @eliserjames and follow Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks.

Why CAN'T we be friends? That's the question we discuss in this week's episode as we talk about friendships with the opposite sex, the way the conservative church seems to view them, and how our views have shifted over time about it. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast, follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook @eliserjames, and follow Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: "Handle With Care", https://www.amazon.com/Handle-Care-Jesus-Redeems-Ministry/dp/153596233X/ref "Why Can't We Be Friends", https://www.amazon.com/Why-Cant-We-Friends-Avoidance/dp/1629954179/ref"Your Spouse Doesn't Have to Be Your Best Friend" https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/spouse-best-friend/

For this week's episode, we're diving deeper into our experiences of community, the value that we see in coming together with others, and the boldness it takes to just "try" and see what comes out when you do. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast.Follow Elise on both Instagram and Facebook @eliserjames, and follow Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode:https://www.amazon.com/Relational-Soul-Moving-False-Connection/dp/0830835873/refEd Welch GROWING TOGETHER CURRICULUM: Lesson 1: Our Neediness is God's Gift – Edward T. Welch (38:00) https://www.ccef.org/curriculum/growing-together-curriculum/

This week we're taking a moment to reflect back on the history of our friendship, how confronting resentment and jealousy helped it to grow stronger, and how we tackle conflict and disagreements. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode:Ed Welch GROWING TOGETHER CURRICULUM: Lesson 1: Our Neediness is God's Gift – Edward T. Welch (38:00) https://www.ccef.org/curriculum/growing-together-curriculum/

Join us this week for a conversation with Sean McCoskey, Pastor of House Church & Connection for Central Community Church where we reminisce about times we've been in community together, the importance and some challenges of community and ministry leadership in the church, as well as the spaces in which God has convicted and grown us when ministry and community seasons shift. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode:The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discoveryhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0830846190/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_Q79TBFX04AJDGVGXTEJB?linkCode=ml2&tag=eliserjames-20"The 8 Hard Sayings of Jesus", https://theseedchurch.org/2014/05/04/hard-sayings-jesus-1-7/ The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection https://amzn.to/3Ewb7u7The Cost of Discipleship https://www.amazon.com/dp/0684815001/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_X5NCA46DGPYPDR6DZN96?linkCode=ml2&tag=eliserjames-20Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love https://amzn.to/3PyJarSDeep Mentoring: Guiding Others on Their Leadership Journey https://amzn.to/44NUkNQForgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirithttps://www.amazon.com/dp/1434767957/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_NZ9V25S2GQBRCYHSE2NB?linkCode=ml2&tag=eliserjames-20Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Communityhttps://amzn.to/3sPRkDCPsalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible https://amzn.to/45GQLKILiturgical Theology: The Church as Worshiping Communityhttps://amzn.to/44M1hzb

Loneliness can be a crippling feeling, but how does leaning into our relationship with God show us we're never truly alone? How does that model for us how to lean on the community he places in our lives? We discuss this and more in today's episode. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: 5 Love Languages: Find yours here https://www.5lovelanguages.com/ https://amzn.to/462sm2a"Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney https://amzn.to/461lD8zHope is Alive: https://hopeisalive.net/nightofhope/ "Unfettered: Imagining a Childlike Faith beyond the Baggage of Western Culture" https://amzn.to/3Z9CgfW

We couldn't limit this topic to one episode, so welcome to part 2 of Wrestlemania! In this episode, we are continuing our conversation around wrestling with God and talking about how in those seasons of wrestling, lament can be both healthy and a means for deeper worship of and connection with God. If you have things you're wrestling with that you would like prayer through/for, we'd love to come alongside and pray with you! You can reach out to us at the socials below, or email us at underthewillowtreepodcast@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: "A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller: https://amzn.to/3ExTev2Sermons in Daniel: Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide, sermon series Pastor Brandon Redic, The Bridge Church Part 1 of Daniel 9 https://youtu.be/HguNpzIybxQPart 2 of Daniel 9 https://youtu.be/39PezI7eo3c Daniel 10 https://youtu.be/bYuzgaRoTf8

Most of us have experience some level of challenge or suffering in our life that feels like a never ending wrestling match. In this episode we remind you and ourselves, that it's okay to wrestle with God, and he invites us into deep relationship with Him which involves asking those questions we don't have answers for and asking for what we want.If you have things you're wrestling with that you would like prayer through/for, we'd love to come alongside and pray with you! You can reach out to us at the socials below, or email us at underthewillowtreepodcast@gmail.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks.Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: BEMA Discipleship- https://www.bemadiscipleship.com/ "A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller: https://amzn.to/3ExTev2Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide, sermon series Pastor Brandon Redic, The Bridge Church (part 1 of Daniel 9 https://youtu.be/HguNpzIybxQ Part 2 of Daniel 9 https://youtu.be/39PezI7eo3c Daniel 10 https://youtu.be/bYuzgaRoTf8, When Life Doesn't Make Sense https://youtu.be/6sQn6hW7Kjc

Have you ever asked yourself, "Am I valuable?' Well we have, and in this episode we are talking about value and identity as defined by culture and the church, about the unintended emphasis placed on value in marriage and family over singleness in the church, and about the many contributions Christian singles can make to their church communities! Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: Helping Singles Think Biblically About the Past, Present, and Futurehttps://ibcd.org/helping-singles-think-biblically-about-the-past-present-and-future/Gifted to Serve-Sermon by Pastor Brandon Redic at The Bridge Church Wichita, KS (sermon starts about 30 minutes in): https://youtu.be/CEV8iF14Ge8 Hope is Alive Ministries: https://hopeisalive.net/ (If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, we would highly recommend contacting Hope is Alive)!

This week we're talking with our friend Ella Riddle about navigating dating as a single Christian and how different that can look for each of us. We're asking the questions: Is there a "right" way to date and when did we stop having fun? Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: "The Game of Desire" by Shan Boodram (misspoke the title during the episode). Note: This is what would be considered a "secular" perspective on dating, but I think it's important to examine things within the culture we live in and discern what is useful to takeaway and what you can say is not for you. I loved a lot of the insights of this book despite not agreeing with everything!- Tamara https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062952544/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_W49R616F6MQ6JN93MT14?linkCode=ml2&tag=eliserjames-20

In part 2 of Singled Out, guest Chris Loucks joins the discussion and speaks to his experiences as a single man in the Midwestern Church. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks.

In this episode we are discussing some of the experiences and challenges of being single women in the church as well as some of the often well-meant, but unhelpful counsels or statements we receive from our married brothers and sisters. Stay-tuned for part 2 next week, where we'll get a male friend's perspective on this same issue!Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: Strong Marriage a sermon series by Pastor Ryan McCoskey, The Seed Church, Wichita, KS. Part 1 linked here https://theseedchurch.org/2020/01/05/marriage-seriesweek-1/

In this episode we discuss some of the experiences and challenges of being single women in the church as well as some of the often well-meant, but unhelpful counsels or statements we receive from our married brothers and sisters. Stay-tuned for part 2 next week, where we'll get a male friend's perspective on this same issue! Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks.Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: Strong Marriage a sermon series by Pastor Ryan McCoskey, The Seed Church, Wichita, KS. Part 1 linked here https://theseedchurch.org/2020/01/05/marriage-seriesweek-1/ https://ibcd.org/helping-singles-think-biblically-about-the-past-present-and-future/

Welcome to the intro episode of Under the Willow Tree Podcast, a weekly conversation around singleness and community in the Midwestern church. Hosted by Elise James and Tamara Anderson, this episode introduces us and gives you a sneak peek into who we are and what is to come for this podcast. Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @underthewillowtreepodcast Follow Elise on Instagram and Facebook at @eliserjames and Tamara on Instagram @tamarajoyks. Non-Bible materials mentioned in this episode: The Enneagram - Take the test here - https://assessment.yourenneagramcoach.com/ Myers-Briggs - Take the test here - https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test Willow Tree Symbolism - https://willowplaceforwomen.com/symbolism-of-the-willow-tree/