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We've all heard the story about Jonah and the whale. But have we all explored the idea that the story of Jonah may have been a literary story to teach us an important lesson? Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks talk about what it means to read the Bible literarily versus literally. Regardless of where you land on this debate, the book of Jonah is undeniably part of God's living word for us. For a portion of this episode, Wyatt and Steve reference the passage where Jesus talks about Jonah the prophet. This passage can be found in Matthew 12, but Wyatt mistakenly quotes it as Luke 12.// Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

What a treat it was to have Dr. Dan Allender from The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology join us for this episode! He talks about shame and sexual brokenness, and how trauma affects our marriages/relationships. Dr. Dan Allender is a pioneer of a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy. For over 30 years, the Allender Theory has brought healing and transformation to hundreds of thousands of lives by bridging the story of the gospel and the stories of trauma and abuse that mark so many.Read his books! The Intimate Mystery The Cry of the SoulLearn more about Dr. Dan Allender here: https://theallendercenter.org/about/team/dan-allender/Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

In this very special episode, we sat down with Bob and Dani Collins, the parents of Jon Collins from the Bible Project, to talk about their extremely vulnerable story. Bob and Dani were married for 35 years before a crisis broke up their marriage. By the grace of God and through the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, the two were able to repair their marriage. Tune in to hear how the two find healing as they learn how to love each other again. One of the major tools the Collins' used to save their marriage was the book, How We Love, which our church will be talking about at our relationship seminar in February 2023. To learn more about this event, visit our church website, or click here. Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Tim Gaydos, former ACC pastor and Mars Hill Campus pastor, joins us on this week's episode about the health of church leaders. Pastor Wyatt and Tim talk about the reasons behind why it seems like there have been so many scandals revolving around church leaders recently. Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Our church is going through the Bible in a year together, and we're finishing up the first 5 books of the Old Testament (the Torah). As we're reading through the many laws that are given in the Torah, it can be tempting to question whether or not these books are worth reading anymore since the New Testament teaches that we are no longer bound to the Levitical laws. Does that mean we don't need to read the Old Testament anymore? Listen in as Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks talk about the importance of the Old Testament, and also answer questions submitted by people from the church.Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Dr. Gerry Breshears from Western Seminary came to our church a few weeks ago to talk about Genesis. This episode highlights his conversation with our Lead Pastor Wyatt Martin regarding handling disagreements in the church. He gives us a model to decipher which topics are worth debating, dividing over, or dying for. To learn more about Dr. Gerry Breshears, visit https://breshears.net/Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Dr. Gerry Breshears from Western Seminary came to our church a few weeks ago to talk about Genesis. The beginning portion of this episode jumps straight into Dr. Breshears teaching what he believes happened before Genesis 1. Following the teaching, there is a live Q&A with the audience. To learn more about Dr. Gerry Breshears, visit https://breshears.net/Tune in next week to hear Dr. Gerry Breshears and Pastor Wyatt Martin talk about how to handle disagreements in the church. Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

When you think of your job, what are the first few words that come to mind? Often times, we view working as a necessary evil in our society. It's something we all have to do, and we all hate it. But what if that's not how God intended for us to view work? Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve were put to work in the garden. Jeff Kaas, from Kaas Tailored, joins Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks to share his radical worldview on work. To learn more about Jeff Kaas and his work, visit truthbitpull.com. Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Forming good habits is hard, and apparently there's more to it than just willpower. Dr. Jeffrey Iliff joins us for this episode to explain the brain science behind building habits. He gives tips on ways to improve your chances of building a good habit.  Dr. Iliff is the Associate Director for Research at the VISN 20 Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) at the VA Puget Sound. He is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, and of Neurology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, where he is the Arthur J. and Marcella McCaffray Professor in Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Iliff was part of the research team that discovered the ‘glymphatic’ system, the brain’s cleaning system that is active during sleep. His research focuses on identifying the molecular changes that underlie glymphatic system failure with aging and after traumatic brain injury, extending these experimental studies into human subjects and clinical populations with an aim of developing new treatment and prevention strategies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.  Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

We are wrapping up this prayer series with a conversation on what to do when prayers feel unanswered. What do you do when the rug feels like it is pulled out from under you? How do you talk to God then?This series is a partnership with Crista Media and their new podcast, Purposely Equipped. Purposely Equipped is a podcast that is part of Purposely, a podcast network focused on helping you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. You can find more from Purposely at OnPurposely.com Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

This is the fourth episode of our five-part series on prayer. In this episode, Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks talk about praying when it's hard. This series is a partnership with Crista Media and their new podcast, Purposely Equipped. Purposely Equipped is a podcast that is part of Purposely, a podcast network focused on helping you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. You can find more from Purposely at OnPurposely.com Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

This is the third episode of our five-part series on prayer. Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks answer the question, "How should I pray?". This series is a partnership with Crista Media and their new podcast, Purposely Equipped. Purposely Equipped is a podcast that is part of Purposely, a podcast network focused on helping you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. You can find more from Purposely at OnPurposely.com Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Welcome back to our five-part series on prayer. In this episode, Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks answer the question "Why Do We Pray?". Passages referenced in this episosde: Psalm 37:4This series is a partnership with Crista Media and their new podcast, Purposely Equipped. Purposely Equipped is a podcast that is part of Purposely, a podcast network focused on helping you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. You can find more from Purposely at OnPurposely.com Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Welcome to the first episode of a five-part series we're doing on prayer. In this episode, Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks answer the question "What is prayer?". They walk through the Lord's Prayer from Matthew, and look at it as a model of prayer. Passages referenced in this episode: Matthew 6:9-13This series is a partnership with Crista Media and their new podcast, Purposely Equipped. Purposely Equipped is a podcast that is part of Purposely, a podcast network focused on helping you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.  You can find more from Purposely at OnPurposely.com  Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

We know we said we were taking a break for the summer, but we had to come back just for this one special bonus episode! In this bonus episode, Pastors Wyatt and Steve talk about divorce. What does the Bible actually say about divorce? How do we reconcile two seemingly contradicting passages? There is an underlying principle to the Bible's instruction on divorce. The following passages are referenced: Matthew 5:31-321 Corinthians 7:15Matthew 18 Matthew 19Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

In this season finale, Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks answer more questions from the event with Preston Sprinkle a few weeks ago. Biblical references from this week's episode: Romans 9Galatians 5:19-21As a church, we are just getting started with engaging in this very controversial and sensitive conversation. We encourage each person to continue seeking what God has to say about this topic. One of the ways you can continue learning is by checking out the following resources:Gay Girl Good God, by Jackie Hill Perry7 Myths About Singleness, by Sam AllberryEmbodied, by Preston SprinkleLiving in a Gray World, by Preston SprinklePeople to Be Loved, by Preston SprinkleThe Center for Faith, Sexuality, & GenderLGBTQ+ Questionnaire (as mentioned by Wyatt in this episode)https://bit.ly/3kGywiwTo learn more about our guest speaker, Preston Sprinkle, visit him on his website. https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

Listen in on our first ever live podcast episode, with our first special guest of the season! Preston Sprinkle came to Alderwood Community Church this past weekend, and gave a seminar on the transgender conversation. Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks were able to sit down with him and host a Q&A with questions from the audience. The three talk about how to engage in this type of conversation with young children, how to love the people that God has called us to love, and so much more.As a church, we are just getting started with engaging in this very controversial and sensitive conversation. We encourage each person to continue seeking what God has to say about this topic. One of the ways you can continue learning is by checking out the following resources: Gay Girl Good God, by Jackie Hill Perry7 Myths About Singleness, by Sam AllberryEmbodied, by Preston SprinkleLiving in a Gray World, by Preston SprinklePeople to Be Loved, by Preston SprinkleThe Center for Faith, Sexuality, & GenderLGBTQ+ Questionnaire (as mentioned by Wyatt in this episode)Be sure to tune in for the next episode where Wyatt and Steve will be answering more questions submitted by the audience!To learn more about our guest speaker, Preston Sprinkle, visit him on his website. https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

As Alderwood Community Church is about to launch a new series called "Jesus, Sex, and Gender", Pastors Wyatt Martin and Steve Brooks sit down to talk about why it's important for the church to talk about this controversial topic. They address any fears and concerns that the congregation may have leading into this series, and they also explain the theological difference between sin and temptation. Resourced mentioned in this episode: LGBTQ+ QuestionnairePreston Sprinkle, author of "People to Be Loved" and "Embodied" (coming to ACC on May 15th) John 1:14Genesis 3James 1:14-15Hebrews 4:15The Gospel and Homosexuality (First Look Podcast Episode)Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

In preparation for Preston Sprinkle to come to Alderwood Community Church in May 2022, Pastors Wyatt and Steve discuss how the church has historically talked about sex and purity. Disclaimer, this episode does contain more sensitive and mature content than our regular episodes.Passages referenced in this episode: 1 Corinthians 6:13Native Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at nativeexiles.com.

As the church wraps up our series in Daniel, Pastors Wyatt and Steve take some time to reflect on the big idea about Daniel—living as exiles. How does seeing ourselves as exiles change the way we live? Passages referenced in this episode:Philippians 1:27-28Daniel 1Article referenced in this episode: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2022/02/the-three-worlds-of-evangelicalismNative Exiles, a podcast from Alderwood Community Church, where we talk about following Jesus in the tension of being in the world but not of it. We want to help you think through how to walk with Jesus in a world that is seemingly walking the opposite direction. We want to equip you to engage the world without disengaging from Jesus.For more questions and inquiries, reach us at reachus@amcc.org or visit us on our website at http://alderwood.cc.