Searching the Sacred

Rebekah Changes Everything | Genesis 27

Season 6 | Genesis 27 | Rebekah Changes Everything
It's not an exaggeration to say that Rebekah changes the course of human history. She encourages Jacob to go and get the blessing from Isaac - the blessing that becomes the 12 tribes of Israel. 
Her story and her bravery and her cunning should be the stuff of legend, but she's normally just a footnote. 
This podcast packs so much into it. Enjoy the final episode of this season.
__
Book read on this podcast: Reading the Women of the Bible.
____
This is a 40 Orchards podcast.
At 40 Orchards, our mission is to create circles for all people to wrestle through biblical texts, so that— together— we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good.
We search through the lens of sacred possibility; assuming there is more to be discovered, questioned, and applied as we listen for how God is still speaking. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40Orchards.org
 
Our opening music is by LesFM
Our closing music is by NCR Music Vibes
Additional music is by Three Music
____
We started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.

Shalom | Numbers 6

Season 6 | Numbers 6 | Seeking Shalom
Shalom - It's one of those words we hear often and we think we know. But there are so many different ways it's been used. 'Peace' 'Restitution' 'Rebuild' From Deuteronomy to Numbers to Joel to Nehemiah. 
What if shalom isn't something we give...but it's something we seek?
What does it look like for 'peace' to be a verb and a noun?

Missing the Mark | Matthew 9

Season 6 | Matthew 9 | Missing the Mark
While eating with his new disciple, Matthew, and a group of Matthew's friends, Jesus gets confronted by some Pharisee's who don't like his choice of dinner companion. 
The people at the dinner get labeled as 'sinners'. What does this mean and why might it be important for us to unpack?
Jesus then talks about living in a way that brings wholeness, and not just someone who offers sacrifices. Why go down that path? What is Jesus getting at?

Ichabod and the Adventure of the Captured Ark | 1 Samuel 4

Season 6 | 1 Samuel 4 | Ichabod and the Adventure of the Captured Ark
Did anyone know that there was an Ichabod in the Bible? What does his name have to do with the story of Israel? Why might this be an important reflection for us in our time?
This might be a small and unknown passage, but it's loaded with good questions and insights.

We picked a passage from Paul! | Colossians 1

Season 6 | Colossians 1 | We picked a passage from Paul!
YES! We finally went there. We tackled a passage from Paul. Is this complicated? Yep. Is this difficult to talk about? Yep. Did we learn something and possibly see a path forward? Yep.
Colossians 1 has this beautiful hymn that reminds us of Proverbs 8. How might this impact how we read Paul?!

Wisdom: She Is Speaking | Proverbs 8

Season 6 | Proverbs 8 | Wisdom: She Is Speaking
Starting in verse 22, we hear a passage that may resonate with something we've heard before. These verses give shape for how many have grounded their theology and understanding of presence during the act of creation; most famously the apostle Paul. 
But wisdom, she is speaking in this passage.
What does it mean that wisdom is personified?
What does it mean that wisdom clearly has feminine pronouns?
What does it mean that wisdom, alongside God, delights in humanity?
How can this posture and invitation impact us today?
 

’Why have you forsaken me?’ | Holy Week Bonus Episode | Mark 15

Bonus Episode! 
Happy Holy Week Everyone
As the Lenten journey comes to its fruition this week, we turn to Mark 15. Jesus is on the cross and cries out to God - 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'
Is this a cry of abandonment? Is this meant to be something utterly the opposite? What can this passage teach us about suffering and transformation?
This is a long one...but take notes! It's a good one.
 
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.
__
We started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.

Ruth Pt 12 | Blessing

Season 5 | Ruth Pt 12 | Blessing
Not only has it been an absolute blessing to learn from Naomi and Ruth, but in this episode we ask the question, what is a blessing?
What is the significance for Naomi? What might this teach us about God? How might that impact who we are and how we understand what we might be called to?
At the end of the episode, we each take a moment to share a takeaway from our time studying this dynamic book. 
_
Each week, not only will we have an episode for you to listen to; but for those who support us on Patreon, we have a discussion guide that allows you to join the conversation. 
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.
__
We started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.

Ruth Pt 11 | Finding Flourishing

Season 5 | Ruth Pt 11 | Finding Flourishing
As we continue the conversation in chapter 4 of Ruth, we hear the people respond to the redeeming of Naomi and Ruth. We also hear the women of the city naming the child of Boaz and Ruth - calling him Obed. 
What is the significance of how the people talk about Naomi and Ruth? And what is the significance of the name Obed?
_
Each week, not only will we have an episode for you to listen to; but for those who support us on Patreon, we have a discussion guide that allows you to join the conversation. 
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.
__
We started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.

Ruth Pt 10 | Mr. So And So

Season 5 | Ruth Pt 10 | Mr. So And So
Part 10 launches us into chapter 4. We are nearing the end of our conversation on Ruth, but the focus shifts to Boaz and his work to become the Kinsman Redeemer. And in this episode we meet the mysterious 'so and so' who is actually next in line to marry Ruth.
How does Boaz handle this? What does this story teach us about the patriarchy? Is it subversively feminist or overtly patriarchal? 
_
Each week, not only will we have an episode for you to listen to; but for those who support us on Patreon, we have a discussion guide that allows you to join the conversation. 
__
This podcast is a partnership between 40 Orchards and Processing Faith…
40 Orchards, with Steph and Lisa, invites people to wrestle through Biblical texts using the ancient Jewish concepts of midrash.
In a 40 Orchards study, every question is safe, everyone is welcome, and every voice is valued. We believe there’s room for all of us. No person and no question is off limits—because we know that together we can expand each other’s experience of what is sacred, whole, and good. 
You can learn more about 40 Orchards and sign-up for a study by going to 40orchards.org.
Processing Faith is a space created by Jason Steffenhagen for people to do exactly that…process their faith. It’s not one thing…but more like a good recipe. It’s like 1 part pastoral care, 1 part theological exploration, and 1 part wrestling with all the questions. 
You can learn more about Processing Faith and sign-up for a free 45 min session by going to processingfaith.com.
__
We started a Patreon site for those who would like to financially support this podcast. Click HERE to find our site and become a patron.