Sacred & Strange

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In this episode of Sacred and Strange, host Jay speaks with his close friend Kyle about their formative years, personal growth, and spiritual evolution. They discuss their history together, moving from their youthful struggles with cooking to their shared experiences at a ministry school. Kyle opens up about his journey from a conservative religious background to encountering a more compassionate view of God, and how this transformation has influenced his life, faith, and relationships. The conversation delves into the challenges and importance of vulnerability, the impact of Kyle's mother's illness, and his insights on emotional health and attachment styles. The episode concludes with reflections on the intersection of spirituality and emotions, and Kyle shares a fascinating UFO encounter before wrapping up with a prayer.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:31 Early Memories and Friendship

02:49 Kyle's Background and Faith Journey

05:13 Life at Ministry School

07:45 Formative Experiences and Personal Growth

16:27 Vulnerability and Emotional Honesty

22:31 Coping with Loss and Maintaining Core Values

25:17 Pursuing a Career in Social Work

26:34 Understanding Attachment Styles

27:20 Personal Journey with Vulnerability

28:33 Challenges in Therapy and Marriage

31:53 The Church and Vulnerability

34:41 Experiencing Trauma and Therapy

42:09 UFO Encounter Story

47:02 Interdimensional Theories and Beliefs

49:31 Final Thoughts and Prayer

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A quick preview of next week's episode with Kyle Melnick. 

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In this episode of Sacred and Strange, Jay welcomes his long-time friend Dennis to share his incredible and challenging life story. Dennis, now 31 and based in Fresno, California, delves into his upbringing as the youngest of 10 siblings, navigating the complexities of a large and blended family. He recounts his battles with Hodgkin's lymphoma, diagnosed first at age six and then again in his teens, describing the grueling treatments and their impact on his life and perspective. Despite facing significant hardships, Dennis reflects on how these experiences brought his family closer and shaped his spiritual journey. The discussion also touches on the significance of resilience, the transformative power of faith, and the importance of community and empathy. Toward the end, a lighter note is struck with a recount of how a prank phone call led to his relationship with his now-wife, Erica, highlighting how life's strangest moments can lead to profound connections.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:11 Dennis' Family Background

02:39 Growing Up in a Blended Family

06:38 Struggles and Resilience

15:22 Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

26:00 Miracles and Family Reconciliation

42:27 Reflecting on the Past: Social Struggles and Family Dynamics

43:31 A Spiritual Awakening: Encountering God Through Worship

48:11 The Power of Faith: Overcoming Cancer and Embracing God's Plan

53:54 Lessons in Righteousness: Family, Addiction, and Redemption

01:00:00 Marriage and Ministry: A Journey of Commitment and Faith

01:10:32 Gaming and Mentorship: Building Connections Through Siege

01:19:03 Final Thoughts: Embracing Uniqueness and Filling Life's Gaps

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In this introductory episode, hosts Jay and Erinn Urena, leaders of the Porch missional community in Riverhead, New York, introduce themselves and their vision for the 'Sacred and Strange' podcast. They share their journey, including their backgrounds, meeting at a ministry school, and their calling to create a unique church experience that diverges from traditional models. The episode delves into their motivation to build a community-focused space centered around conversation and genuine connections. They plan to feature friends and acquaintances with diverse and compelling stories, aiming to inspire and bring hope to listeners by showcasing the sacred and strange aspects of life. The podcast aspires to foster deeper relationships with Jesus through shared experiences and to provide a platform for expanding their community's table.

00:00 Welcome to Sacred and Strange
00:56 Meet Your Hosts: Jay and Erinn
01:18 The Vision Behind the Podcast
01:57 A Journey of Faith and Community
04:12 Innovative Church Planting
06:12 Creating Safe Spaces
07:18 The Porch: A Missional Community
11:24 The Sacred and Strange Podcast
15:44 Building a Bigger Table
16:30 Conclusion and Next Steps

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In this episode, Jay and Levi wrap-up The Bride series by recapping the three previous weeks, and looking to the future. The Bride is meant to be the place where Heaven and Earth meet, transforming family, culture, and society. YOU are a part of The Bride, and we have some amazing things ahead of us!

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In this episode, Jay and Levi wrap-up The Bride series by recapping the three previous weeks, and looking to the future. The Bride is meant to be the place where Heaven and Earth meet, transforming family, culture, and society. YOU are a part of The Bride, and we have some amazing things ahead of us!

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Hey all! Sorry for the radio silence these past few weeks. There's been a lot going on at thePorch. From babies, to new homes, and a new school year, time slipped away from us. 

We're sorry!

However, we're ready to go with our scheduled podcast releases from this point forward. 

This week, we're in Part 3 of 4 of our series on The Bride. In this episode, Jay and Levi talk about what it means to be Living Temples of encounter between Heaven and Earth. You don't want to miss this!

So click, download, tell a friend, and enjoy!

Send us a text

Hey all! Sorry for the radio silence these past few weeks. There's been a lot going on at thePorch. From babies, to new homes, and a new school year, time slipped away from us. 

We're sorry!

However, we're ready to go with our scheduled podcast releases from this point forward. 

This week, we're in Part 3 of 4 of our series on The Bride. In this episode, Jay and Levi talk about what it means to be Living Temples of encounter between Heaven and Earth. You don't want to miss this!

So click, download, tell a friend, and enjoy!

Support the show

This week we continue our conversation on the Bride. Following up our talk on Covenant (with Jesus and His Church), we find ourselves looking at the present and future purpose of the Church. Join us for another PorchTalk!

Send us a text

This week we continue our conversation on the Bride. Following up our talk on Covenant (with Jesus and His Church), we find ourselves looking at the present and future purpose of the Church. Join us for another PorchTalk!

Support the show