The Stress of Stress

Podcast Episode 11: C. Christopher Smith

It has been two and a half months since my last official episode, but here we are. Today I was able to host C. Christopher Smith of the Englewood Review of Books. In particular, we talked through his most recent published work, The Virtue of Dialogue [https://englewoodreview.org/virtue-of-dialogue/], and particularly the in’s and out’s of the formative practice of conversation. Have a listen and check out his work at the Englewood Review of Books [https://englewoodreview.org]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Stress of Stress

Just over a week ago, a team of mental health professionals led a workshop at our church. It was our second annual training. While Christians are more engaged in the world of mental health, I believe we still find very few teachings and trainings being offered within the setting of the church. This is why I am so very grateful that the leaders in my local church fully embrace the importance of this topic, both inside and outside the church. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Podcast Episode 10: Peter Bell & Sons of Patriarchy

Today I was able to host Peter Bell who is producer and host of the Sons of Patriarchy podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sons-of-patriarchy/id1772141068]. The podcast is dedicated to exposing all types of abuse – sexual, physical and spiritual – within the Reformed church. Much focus has particularly gone into highlighting Doug Wilson and his denomination, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), as well as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC). I am grateful for Peter giving of his time to the podcast here, but more importantly in exposing the heinous abuse that has been covered up for decades, and providing a voice and practical support to abuse survivors. Please consider supporting the work they are doing, which also includes financial contributions that go solely to supporting the abused. https://outreachidaho.org [https://outreachidaho.org] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Podcast Episode 9: Stephanie Chernyavskiy

On December 19, Stephanie Chernyavskiy’s story was shared on the Sons of Patriarchy podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sons-of-patriarchy/id1772141068]. Stephanie particularly laid out how she was abused within the setting of Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church, part of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Neon, Kentucky. Amazingly, after so many years of spiritual, physical, and sexual abuse, she was able to escape such a perilous situation. If you haven’t heard that part of her story, please listen to it here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sons-of-patriarchy/id1772141068?i=1000680939601]. In this episode on the Sacred Thoughts podcast, I was able to continue with a kind of “part 2” of Stephanie’s story. How was she able to maintain faith in Christ in the midst of it all? What has her journey of healing been like? What is Stephanie particularly up to these days – i.e., did she marry the love of her life she mentions in the previous podcast? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Original Immanuel

More than 700 years before Jesus, a prophet and a king held a meeting in the city of Jerusalem. With the probability of war on their doorstep, Isaiah was sent to king Ahaz with a message of protection and promise. In the promise, the king was told that a sign would be given: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” This was the Original Immanuel. But what did all this mean so long ago? And how does it connect to the advent of God’s Messiah, Jesus? This is what I explore in this message titled “The Original Immanuel.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe [https://sacredthoughts.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]