Looking for the Real God

#31 Tackling Forgiveness (S2E10)

How do we forgive and what does forgiveness really look like? Christy explores some Christianese myths about forgiveness and lays out truth that has helped her own heart to heal.
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2019/12/22/healing-from-spiritual-abuse/
Related Resources:
https://youtu.be/TzHtql5Ur5Q

#30 Facing our Fear (S2E9)

Christy decided to record an extra episode to address the fear and anxiety that we are currently feeling because of the coronavirus pandemic. She encourages us to trust in a God who has not lost control despite the hysteria and panic around us. Christy also gives practical advice for dealing with our anxiety and fear.
Related Blog Post:
https://christylynnewood.com/2020/03/13/fearful-people-are-easier-to-control/

#29 Rediscovering Jesus - In a Fire (S2E8)

In the final episode of the Rediscovering Jesus series, Christy takes us to the book of Daniel. There she reminds her listeners that it has always been about faith and about a God who pursues people despite of the mess.
Scripture Referenced:
Daniel 3
John 3:17-18
Bible Tools Referenced:
https://netbible.org/bible/
https://www.blueletterbible.org/
Article about Suzerain-Vassal Treaty:
https://www.fivesolas.com/suzerain.htm

#28 Rediscovering Jesus - On a Mountain (S1E7)

Continuing her series on finding Jesus in the Old Testament, Christy tells the story of Abraham and Isaac. She looks into the culture, context, and foreshadowing that makes this story a powerful display of Jesus and the free salvation He offers.
Scriptures Referenced:
Genesis 12-24
Romans 4:20-22
Galatians 3:1-9
Bible Study Tools Referenced:
https://netbible.org/
https://www.blueletterbible.org/
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2017/10/08/rediscovering-jesus-on-a-mountain/

#27 Rediscovering Jesus - In the Garden (S2E6)

The Old Testament can be a complicated book to understand through the lens of our modern culture. Christy challenges some popular assumptions and reminds us that we cannot reject or abuse the Old Testament. Rather we should reframe and embrace it as we search for the Real Jesus.
Understanding how the Old Testament is often used within spiritual abuse, Christy begins a series on finding Jesus within its pages. She starts in the very beginning, the Garden of Eden.
Related Scriptures:
Genesis 1-3
John 1:1-4
Luke 19:10
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2017/09/24/rediscovering-jesus-in-the-garden/
https://christylynnewood.com/2018/06/19/chasing-eden/

#26 Anxiety and Possessed Baby Dolls (S2E5)

Growing up in her cultic-subgroup of Christianity, everything was either physical or spiritual. There was no room for actual mental illness, but plenty of guilt and shame for feeling depressed, anxious, or more. Christy shares personal stories, recounts crazy scenarios, and explores what happens when we function in fear.
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2018/10/18/mental-illness-possessed-baby-dolls-and-the-church/

#25 Crazy Love of a Very Real God (S2E4)

There are two main things that have influenced Christy's choice to continue her journey as a Christian: meeting a Living Jesus, and experiencing His love.
Christy tells stories about Frankie, a broken bad-boy that God used to teach her about His love. Coming out of her performance driven religion, Christy was shocked to discover that God loved her even more because of her mess. She wants her listeners to know that they are wildly loved too because they are broken and beautiful.
Scripture Verses Referenced: Ephesians 3:14-19; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Related Blog Posts:
Love Beyond Words
https://christylynnewood.com/2017/11/06/8631/
I'm Just Here for the Broken Ones https://christylynnewood.com/2019/10/09/im-just-here-for-the-broken-ones/

#24 Surviving the Purity Culture - Part Two (S2E3)

In part two, Christy tells the story of how she met her husband. She talks about how the purity culture influenced both of them separately even though they had wildly different backgrounds. Christy admits the ways fallout from the purity culture influenced them even after they were married.

#23 Surviving the Purity Culture - Part One (S2E2)

Christy explores the purity culture that was so popular in Evangelical Christianity during the 90s and early 2000s. She shares wild stories of the extreme version she experienced while influenced by her cult. Courtship (I mean arranged marriage) anyone?
Christy also ponders what went wrong in the purity culture and how that ties back to our naturally religious hearts.

#22 The Beginning of the Middle Years (S2E1)

Christy begins Season Two with a series that looks back to the middle years. She was in her early twenties and fresh out of her cultic organization and church. Sorting through truth and lies, letting go of legalistic rules, and trying to figure out how to live in the normal world was a constant challenge.
In this episode Christy talks about starting college, being a nanny, and learning she wasn't as special as she thought. Even though Christy felt like she was hearing from Jesus and following Him, God allowed her faith to be tested while He challenged her idealistic view of the world.
Christy questions the idea that "God has big plans for your life" even though she has also been guilty of telling people that. She reminds us that even though dark seasons of doubt and questions are hard, they are also a gift in disguise.