Trauma-Informed Church Kid

The Blood of the Covenant

Season 2 Episode 13 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
 
The family of Abraham are led by Adonai in the wilderness toward his home: the mountain of God. They are given a choice – do they want to partner with him as “one flesh”? Or do they want to join themselves to the gods of the nations? Which one will the betrothed of Adonai choose for herself, and for all creation?
 
Join us as we follow the Israel-assembly (plus the Mixed Multitude) at the foot of Sinai, tracking with Exodus 19 and 24. In this episode, we will look at the Sinai covenant as a wedding ceremony, patterned after ANE covenant marriages. We will explore the nature of the “law” that is given as “house rules”, and will discuss how they are meant to be freeing (not constricting). We will ponder what it means to seal a covenant with blood, and to bind the two together as “one flesh” in a sacrificial meal. In the end, we will challenge ourselves to consider the beauty of being married to YHWH: the specially chosen and redeemed one(s) who are being transfigured from a slave-mindset to a bride-mindset, in order to undo the First Fall and bring healing to all creation.
 
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: https://www.speakpipe.com/churchkidpod

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Season 2 Episode 12 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
The family of Abraham has endured the waters of wrath, and are now in the wilderness -- a place of scarcity, hunger, and thirst. Are they just wandering, or being led? Where are they headed, and why is this the path that was chosen for them?
Join us as we follow the Israel-assembly (plus the Mixed Multitude) on their journey to Sinai, from Exodus 15-17. In this episode, we will look at their grumblings against Adonai and Moses. We will explore what Adonai's response to this is -- grace, or wrath? We will ponder what it means to be in the wilderness in the first place, and what the purpose of being there is. In the end, we will challenge ourselves to remember that even in our wanderings we need not be lost. We can always follow the cloud of the Presence and be followed by the Rock of Christ to find our way home: the place where Adonai dwells in our midst.
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: https://www.speakpipe.com/churchkidpod

The Impact of Trauma -- HOW OF HURT

Season 2 Episode 11 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
This is our second How of Hurt episode of the season! In this episode, we take a close look at the impact of trauma. We will do a brief crash course on neurobiology, find out the effects of trauma on various brain structures, learn about the brain-body connection, examine cognitive distortions downstream of the effects on our nervous system, and discover how nothing -- in all creation -- can separate us from the love of Adonai who longs to see his children "made right".
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction!

Severe Mercies

Season 2 Episode 10 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
On the journey out of Egypt, the family of Abraham has left a path of destruction and devastation in their wake. And there is about to be one more moment of decreation: the parting of the Sea of Reeds, where Pharaoh and his army are swallowed up by the death-waters. Is this just an angry God, wreaking his vengeance on those he hates? What will it take to satisfy his wrath?
Join us as we go on a journey that is framed around Exodus 14-15, but where we spend time in both Romans 9 and Ezekiel 16 as well. In this episode, we will look at what it means for God to have wrath. We will explore the mode of that wrath ("handing over") and how this can be viewed as a "severe mercy". We will ponder the purpose of wrath, and if there is hope to be found on the other side of it. In the end, we will challenge ourselves to desire the judgment of God -- first in the household of God, and then in a world broken by sin.
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: https://www.speakpipe.com/churchkidpod

The Mixed Multitude

Season 2 Episode 9 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
 
The family of Abraham has been finally freed from slavery! The redemption has been obtained by the blood of the Passover lamb as the cost it took to end the oppression of the gods of Egypt. But there remains an ambiguity: who actually is the "family of Abraham"? Is it just racial Hebrews, or do Egyptians "count" as well? The Passover event has created a new nation called "Israel"; so who are "Israelites"?
 
Join us as we look at Exodus 12:33-42, examining the "mixed multitude" who left Egypt. We will look at who are the "stranger" (gar) and "resident alien" (toshab), and their relationship to the "native". We will explore the issue of circumcision and the Passover, and how that relates to ongoing identification with "Israel". We will ponder the "congregation" (edah) and/or the "assembly" (qahal) of Israel, and its relationship to the New Testament Church (ekklesia). In the end, we will sharply challenge any notion that Israel has been "replaced" and we will unreservedly celebrate the diversity of the family of God -- from its inception with Abraham, to its renewal here in Exodus, through its continuation in the Body of the Messiah, and on into the eschatalogical picture of Revelation.
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: https://www.speakpipe.com/churchkidpod

What's Wrath Got to Do With It? (Chris Pompu) -- EXPERT-TEAS

Season 2 Episode 8 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
In this episode, I sit down for "tea" with Chris Pompu, a rural church pastor and host of The Sanctuary YouTube channel ( @PastorChris87 ). We take a close look at the "wrath of God" in the biblical text, trying to see how it functions and where it is present... as well as when it is not. We explore the impact of teachings such as penal substitutionary atonement, and examine how they affect our view of God. In the end, we try to reconstruct a more beautiful and faithful picture of the wrath of God. I hope you will join us on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction!

Marked by the Blood

Season 2 Episode 7 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast.
 
Nine plagues have struck the gods of Egypt, providing both Pharaoh and the people chance after chance to repent. Now, the final plague is about to fall: the death of the firstborn. Not desiring the death of anyone, God makes a way for any who pledge allegiance to Him to be spared from the Destroyer: the angel of the bottomless pit. The blood of the Passover lamb will be the means by which the Destroyer will be kept at bay, the life of the blood marking and protecting all who live in that house. In order to make a separation between those who belong to God and those who belong to the gods, this is the cost it takes: the ransom for the lives of the firstborn.
Join us as we look at Exodus 11-13, examining the narrative of the plague of the firstborn and the Passover. We will look at what "firstborn" means, and why (or if) they are the target of the plague. We will explore the shadowy figure of the Destroyer, and consider who is responsible for the deaths of the firstborn. We will ponder what it means for God to "pass over" and "pass through", and what relationship this has to being "redeemed". Finally, we will sharply challenge if the Passover lamb dies as a substitute. In the end, we take a serious and careful look at what it means to be "marked by the blood of the lamb", and how we can be marked by the blood of the Lamb today.
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: https://www.speakpipe.com/churchkidpod

Let My People Go

Season 2 Episode 6 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
 
Abraham's family continues to find themselves under the thumb -- and strengthened heart -- of Pharaoh, who thinks he is a god and the source of all order and life. First, Adonai shows him a wizard duel that should dispel this belief, but he persists. What follows is a decreation and deconstruction of all Egypt, from top to bottom. The gods of the nations are shown that order and life does not come from them, and it is made crystal clear to Pharaoh as well. What will it take for Pharaoh to listen? Will he ever acknowledge Adonai as the Most High God, or will he drag the people down with him (and the elohim) in his rebellion?
 
Join us as we look at Exodus 7-10, examining the narrative of the plagues as a judgment against the gods of Egypt. We will look at what "decreation" means, and why this is the best frame for the plages. We will explore who is the real target of the judgments which fall on Egypt, and the extent to which there are "innocent bystanders" to the plagues. We will ponder what it means to be "the people of God" -- is this about ethnicity, or faithfulness? And we will listen to the desperate pleading of Adonai to all of Egypt, whom He also loves deeply: repent, and you will be saved. In the end, we take a serious and careful look at the "Pharaoh"s in our lives, and how to face up to them and speak with the voice of God: "Let my people go!!"
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment! Leave a question on Speakpipe as well: Send a voice message to churchkidpod
 
SHOW NOTES/REFERENCES
Exodus 7:14-8:32 | Ancient Faith Ministries
Battle Wizards: Mauling at the Euphrates | Ancient Faith Ministries
The plagues of Egypt – Walking With Giants
Jannes and Jambres - Wikipedia
Yamm - World History Encyclopedia
 

What is Trauma? -- HOW OF HURT

Season 2 Episode 5 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
This is our first How of Hurt episode of the season! In this episode, we seek to understand trauma better. We will define trauma, find out what separates it from unpleasant or difficult events, learn about the signs and symptoms of trauma, examine the feedback loops and neuroplasticity that either reinforce or repair trauma, and discover the multiple types of trauma -- including all kinds of church hurt.
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction!

Strengthening through Suffering

Season 2 Episode 4 of the Trauma-Informed Church Kid podcast
The deliverer of Abraham's family returns to his people, but the job is not yet done. Pharaoh likes his power, he likes having his slaves, and he isn't about to let them leave. In fact, he makes it much worse for them: forcing them to work with fewer materials and then blaming them when they can't do what they used to. The appearance of Adonai in his throne room has strengthened his resolve: like clay in the sun, he hardens and cracks. Will Abraham's family do the same? Can they endure the suffering and come out on the other side?
Join us as we look at Exodus 4-6, examining the response of Pharaoh and the Hebrews to the appearance of God in their midst. We will look at what "hardening" means, and see if this is something God is to blame for. We will explore how abusive systems never welcome deliverance, and how that deliverance can often be slow and painful. We will ponder the features of abusive systems, and identify them in the narrative: collusion/complicity, victim-blaming, pointing fingers, and the like. We will listen to the complaints of the people to Moses, and Moses to God, that He simply isn't doing enough to make things right. In the end, we take a long and hard look at the role of suffering in the process of healing, and attempt to understand how to be both strengthened (in a good way) and softened by suffering.
I hope you will join me on this journey to find resurrection on the other side of deconstruction! Please like, subscribe, and/or leave a comment!