Looking for the Real God

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 t...

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 eve...

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 5:1...

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...

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://christyly...

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...

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...

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...

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 B...

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 bee...

Christy begins a three part series talking about 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 One, Christy shares how shocked she was to discover that half of the Bible stories she remembered from Judges were missing. Or rather the stories were still there, but certain parts were definite...

What if God is not who we think He is? It is easy for us to create a God in our own image. Christy challenges performance-based faith and suggests that the Real God might care more about our hearts than our outward behaviors. Bible Verses Referenced: Jeremiah 29:12-14; Acts 17: 22-31; Matthew 7:7-8 Blog Posts Referenced: "The God Who Wants to be Found" and "Chased by Grace" on christylynnewood.com...

Christy shares how God used personal tragedy to challenge the formulaic way she viewed and interacted with Him. She exposes ways we attempt to manipulate God within our religious Christianity. Bible Verses Referenced: Isaiah 45:6-7 Posts on my blog with more info: "Choosing Trust" and "God is Not a Vending Machine" at ChristyLynneWood.com Extra Resources: "The Insanity of God" by Nik Ripkin. (This...

Christy walks through her own salvation journey and the various ways she understood or failed to understand it. She tackles the behavior based religion at the core of many of our misunderstandings and shares the good news she has come to passionately believe. Resources: ClarityMinistries.org with Dr. Richard Seymour. Books by Dr. Seymour "The Gift of God," "Fishing for Men," "All About Repentence"...

Christy shares some of the crazy ways she used to use the Bible. She challenges the way Christians have abused and misused the Bible over the years and encourages us to use good hermeneutics as we read the Bible in context for ourselves. Books Mentioned: "The Story" by Max Lucado Verses Referenced: Isaiah 53:1-5; Proverbs 3:5-6 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other...

Christy explores the differences between religion and the real Jesus. Religion tries to control behavior with rules and power. Jesus came to bring us life. She suggests that the pain many of us have experienced from the church and Christians was caused by religion and not the real God. Books referenced: "Recapturing the Wonder: Transcendent Faith in a Disenchanted World" by Mike Cosper This is a p...

As Christy rejected her religious Christianity filled with legalism and rules, she discovered true grace and freedom. She shares what it felt like to let go of condemnation and hopes that her listeners will experience that freedom too. 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

As Christy got to know the Real Jesus for herself, she began to realize that the god her religious organization told her about was a fake. Christy wonders if her listeners have met Jesus, or if we have just found the impostor of religious 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...

Christy gives an honest explanation of how she started this podcast. She talks about welcoming questions and doubts about religious Christianity while continuing to search for the Real God. 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's family joined an "evangelical cult" when she was twelve. She shares how the focus on behavior and rules affected her early teenage years while wondering about the ways religion has also affected our views of God and 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