Looking for the Real God

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.

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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

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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

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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

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com

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/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com

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/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com

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/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com

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/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com

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/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com

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.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit christylynnewood.substack.com