Searching the Sacred

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.
 
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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.
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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. 
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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?
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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? 
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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 9 | Boaz

Season 5 | Ruth Pt 9 | Boaz
Part 9 is a deeper dive into Boaz. We know he practices gleaning. We know he respects Ruth. And we know he responds positively when woken up on the threshing floor. But who is Boaz?
What does his name mean? And what can we learn from Boaz?
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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 8 | Uncovering the ”Feet”

Season 5 | Ruth Pt 8 | Uncovering the ”Feet”
Part 8 of our dive into the book of Ruth is the episode about the 'FEET'. Ruth lies down next to Boaz, uncovers his feet, and seemingly requests for him to provide for her. 
What is this all about? Is this a sexual thing? Is this a power thing and provision thing? Is it maybe both? Could it be that Ruth is actually reminding Boaz of how the system is supposed to work?
_
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 7 | Naomi Knows

Season 5 | Ruth Pt 7 | Naomi Knows
Welcome to Season 5 of Searching the Sacred. Season 4 was a deep dive into the first two chapters of Ruth. In this season, we will finish our study of Ruth by looking at chapters three and four. 
In this first episode, we look at Naomi's encouragement of Ruth to glean in the field of Boaz. What does it mean to provide help? Why is helping easier than receiving help? How does Naomi see this moment?
_
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.