Searching the Sacred

Welcome to Midian | Exodus 2

Season 2 | Welcome to Midian | Exodus 2
How does Moses become MOSES? In Exodus chapter 2, we see Moses - son of Israelite slaves, raised in Pharaoh's palace - walk out the gate and see the burden of slavery on his people. And he reacts. This moment starts a chain reaction that launches Moses into the wilderness, to the land of Midian. And it's in Midian that God will prepare him to lead the people. 
What does it mean to see? How do we wake up to the world around us that is unjust?
What does it mean to leave all that we've known? How do we trust that God will continue to use us if we leave the familiar?
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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.

When The Donkey Starts To Talk | Numbers 22

Season 2 | When The Donkey Starts To Talk | Numbers 22
Some stories are just so odd that it's just easier to ignore them and move on...why try to make sense of something or try to understand a spiritual truth about something that can't possibly be real?! 
In Numbers 22, the people of Israel are on the verge of entering the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness. A neighboring king gets nervous as they approach so he hires a guy named Balaam, who is able to see visions and give prophecies, to go scare Israel away. God tells Balaam not to go, but he eventually goes anyway. On the way, the path gets narrower and narrower...and the donkey sees the angel of the Lord. The donkey avoids the angel, but Balaam (who can't see the angel) strikes the donkey on three separate occasions. At this point the Lord speaks to Balaam through the donkey! 
Are we listening for what God has for us? Are we heading down a path that God might have warned us about, but we just don't seem to be getting the message? Are there donkeys in our lives that are trying to point us in the right direction? 
This is a passage about discernment!
Also...We put the 'explicit' designation on this podcast because we use the term 'ass' to refer to the donkey. This was done based on the translation we used. We didn't want to get into trouble...hence the label. We also wanted to catch your attention in case you listen to this in the presence of younger ears and aren't ready to explain how a donkey had a different name back in the day...or why Lisa seems to have a potty mouth!
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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.

Sometimes Talking About The Prophets Makes You Say Things | Jeremiah 1

Season 2 | Sometimes Talking About The Prophets Makes You Say Things | Jeremiah 1
Jeremiah is called to be a prophet. But he's called to be a prophet of doom and gloom in the midst of one of the greatest reclamation moments of Israel's fraught history. The timing seems off. But what if the timing isn't off, what if Jeremiah is preparing the people for the unthinkable - exile. And in preparing them for exile, he's showing them that God is present, that God is still with them. 
This conversation struck a few chords with how some may be perceiving of the church in America today (or at least some iterations of the church). And like Jeremiah, though the outlook may seem bleak, the fact that we are engaging these questions points to the hope we have for a re-imagination. 
In this episode we spend time in Jeremiah 1 and Numbers 16 and 17 (but there's some confusion about which verses we read in Numbers 17...you'll see why). 
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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.

So Let’s Talk About Cain | Genesis 4

Season 2 | So Let’s Talk About Cain | Genesis 4
Cain and Abel is one of those stories most of us have heard from childhood. And it's easy to see it as a classic tale of Good vs. Evil. But what if the story is meant so that we identify with Cain? What if the story of Cain is actually our story, my story, or the human story?
In this episode we dive deep into Genesis 4. Enjoy!
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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.
 

Poetry Isn’t Easy | Dealing with Psalm 1

Season 2 | Poetry Isn’t Easy | Dealing with Psalm 1
Welcome back to Searching the Sacred. We are excited to launch into our second season by exploring Psalm 1!
I'll be honest. As we get Season 2 off to a start, this first episode took a minute to find it's footing. But all the groundwork that was laid in the beginning made for a wonderful reflection and meditation on what seemed to be a simplistic poem. 
And this is the nature of poetry, sometimes it's a slow burn and takes a few attempts. 
"Delight in the way and direction of the Living Presence that was and is and always will be."
 
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.

Beginnings! (a special New Year’s bonus episode) | Genesis 1

Bonus | Beginnings! | Genesis 1
Happy 2022!! Let's dive deep into Genesis chapter 1 to discover what God could be teaching us about how things begin and how we are invited to co-create with God. 
As we start the new year, let's reflect on what God may be inviting us into...maybe a space to reflect and hold where we have been, maybe a space to start birthing something new, or maybe a space to get to work doing the thing that God has been calling us towards for some time. 
 
A couple books that were mentioned in this episode:
Man's Search for Meaning (Viktor E. Frankl)
The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation
 
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.
 

Sing Mary Sing! | More Luke 1

Season 1 | Sing Mary Sing! | More Luke 1
Continuing our Advent theme from the previous episode, we dive into the poetic words of Mary from Luke 1. Oftentimes called the Magnificat, we explore the profound and prophetic nature of Mary's words and how they resonate with us today. We also look at Hannah's story and the prayer she utters as her long-awaited son, Samuel is chosen to be raised in the temple. 
How do their words impact our world?
Who can really sing these words?
What does it mean for us to be close enough to hear them still?
 
In this episode we reference and/or read from a few books...
First Nations Version: https://firstnationsversion.com/book/first-nations-version/
The Particulars of Rapture: https://www.amazon.com/Particulars-Rapture-Reflections-Exodus/dp/080521237X
God Speaks Through Wombs: https://www.amazon.com/God-Speaks-Through-Wombs-Unexpected/dp/1514002671/
 
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.
 

An Odd Place To Start | Luke 1

Season 1 | An Odd Place To Start | Luke 1
Luke starts his gospel, not with the story of Mary and Joseph, but with the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth.
We wrestle with what it means for Zachariah and Elizabeth to be named 'righteous' and the miraculous encounter that Zachariah has while in the temple.
How can their story help prepare us for Advent and the coming Christ? 
 
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.

Ice Cream Bowls of Hope | Genesis 1

Season 1 | Ice Cream Bowls of Hope | Genesis 1
In this episode we talk about the third day of creation from Genesis 1...the waters are held back and dirt appears.
What does it mean for God to see that this as good? Before plants spring forth, before humans are formed from the dust...how is this too good?
And who likes the anticipation of ice cream?! It seems like Lisa and Jason do!!!!!
 
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.

Altars of Dirt and Nakedness | Exodus 20

Season 1 | Altars of Dirt and Nakedness | Exodus 20
Exodus 20 is known for being the chapter about the 10 Commandments. But what about a few key verses that come after this important list? There's talk about an altar of dirt, not exposing your nakedness when you ascend the steps...what is all this about? 
In this episode, Steph, Lisa, and Jason jump from Exodus 20 to passages in Exodus 19, Genesis 2, and Genesis 9...just to name a few. 
 
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.