Looking for the Real God

#21 Healing from Spiritual Abuse (S1E21)

After spending the last three episodes talking about spiritual abuse, Christy explores what it takes to begin healing. Healing doesn't mean that things go back to normal, there will always be scars and triggers after trauma. However, the Real God is able to redeem everything and use it for our good. Christy shares a bit of her story and talks about how her own brokenness has changed her life for the better.
Blog post mentioned:
YouTube video by Lina AbuJarma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzHtql5Ur5Q
More resources for healing:
"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Peter Scazzero
"Spiritual Sobreity" by Elizabeth Esther
"The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen

#20 Spiritual Abuse - Nine Signs of a False Teacher (S1E20)

In this third part of her series on spiritual abuse, Christy explores nine signs of a false teacher/false teaching. She shares red flags that she has observed both in her own experiences growing up in a Christian cult as well as in more recent circumstances since then.
Jesus warned His disciples about false prophets who would look like sheep even though they were actually wolves. And in almost every epistle the Apostle Paul warned young churches again heresies and false gospels. Things haven’t changed today. We still need to be on guard as we struggle to find the truth.
Interview with Jackie Hill Perry mentioned: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/september/jackie-hill-perry-propel-women-bethel-answers-in-genesis.html
Bible Verses Referenced:
Matthew 7:15-20

#19 Spiritual Abuse - Narcissism and Christianity (S1E19)

Christy wonders why spiritual abuse is so common across the spectrum. While doing some research a year ago, Christy discovered a startling connection between pastors and narcissistic personality disorder. She shares her findings and some things we can do about it as a church.
Related Blog Post:
https://christylynnewood.com/2019/02/24/pastors-abuse-and-the-church/
Scripture Mentioned: Ephesians 5:11
Further Resources:
Article by Dr. Darrell Puls: https://www.aacc.net/2017/12/11/let-us-prey-the-frequency-of-narcissistic-personality-disorder-in-pastors/
Article with 10 signs of a narcissticleader: https://churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/331295-the-narcissistic-pastor-10-signs-that-you-may-be-one-charles-stone.html
“When Narcissism Comes to Church” by Chuck DeGroat coming in March: When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse https://www.amazon.com/dp/0830841598/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VNz7Db1573M97

#18 Spiritual Abuse - Raising Awareness (S1E18)

Christy begins a series discussing spiritual abuse. In part one she explores what spiritual abuse is and the various avenues it can take. Christy shares a story that illustrates how silence and a desire to "keep peace" can actually perpetrate abuse.
Extra Resources:
"The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse" by David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2018/12/13/the-lump-under-the-rug/
https://christylynnewood.com/2017/08/04/church-hurt-is-a-lot-like-miscarriage/
https://christylynnewood.com/2017/08/13/starting-the-discussion-on-spiritual-abuse/

#17 Broken and Beloved (S1E17)

This episode is for anyone who feels lost, cynical, broken, or disillusioned. Christy shares gentle truth with love, grace, and tears as she points her readers back to the Good Shepherd who willingly gave His life for the wayward sheep.
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2016/09/19/rejecting-perfection-we-are-all-broken/
https://christylynnewood.com/2017/11/06/8631/
https://christylynnewood.com/2019/10/09/im-just-here-for-the-broken-ones/

#16 A New Name for my Christianity (S1E16)

Christy explores the frustration she has felt over the term "Evangelical Christianity" and the way it has become so politically polarized. She then shares a new term she uses to describe her Christian beliefs and why this label is so exciting to her.
Related Blog Posts:
https://christylynnewood.com/2018/01/29/i-dont-want-to-be-an-evangelical-anymore/
https://christylynnewood.com/2019/06/13/finding-a-new-name-for-my-christianity/

#15 The Awkward Middle Way (S1E15)

Christy describes tension theology and what it looks like to be a part of the Middle Way. Rarely is anything black and white, and yet as people we are so quick to choose sides. Christy encourages us to learn from people who are different than us and be willing to accept paradox with an open hand.
Books Referenced: "A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus" by David Bennett
Companion blog post: https://christylynnewood.com/2019/11/10/the-awkward-middle-way/
Blog post referenced:
https://christylynnewood.com/2018/10/11/the-dangers-of-chocolate-or-vanilla/
https://christylynnewood.com/2019/03/24/how-two-gay-christians-changed-my-life/

#14 The Theology of Me (S1E14)

Christy explores how two seemingly opposing sides of Christianity are actually connected by a common theology. She also talks about her friend who inspired this episode and their favorite bagel shop.
The next few episodes will also have a corresponding blog post on ChristyLynneWood.com. Here is the direct link to this weeks post: https://christylynnewood.com/2019/11/03/the-theology-of-me/

#13 Surprises in the Old Testament - Part Three (S1E13)

Christy finishes her three part series about the God she found in the Old Testament by sharing a story from winter youth retreat in the crazy church. She then walks us through the end of Judges and beginning of 1 Samuel exploring the God who unexpectedly shows up.
Bible Passages Referenced: Judges 7-21; Judges 21:25; 1 Samuel 1-3; 1 Samuel 2:27-36; 1 Samuel 3:1. 1 Kings19:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20
Books Referenced: "A Matter of Basic Principles - Bill Gothard and the Christian Life" by Don Veinot, Joy Venoit, and Ron Henzel.

#12 Surprises in the Old Testament - Part Two (S1E12)

Christy continues her three part series describing a rebellious journey she took through the Old Testament after a well-known preacher encouraged Christians to "unhitch" from that part of the Bible.
In Part Two Christy shares an unexpected twist she discovered in the book of Ruth. This twist further crushes the god we might think is in the Old Testament and show us that the Real God has always been full of mercy and grace.
Bible Verses Referenced: Ruth 1-4; Deuteronomy 23:3; Matthew 1:1-16.