Episode 004: "Inside Out"

This is Episode number 4, titled: “Inside Out” discussing Chapters 5 and 6 of the book “Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self, While Caring for Others” by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky. Our guest host is Pastor Micah Krey, who brings his pastoral experience, as well as his personal experience of addiction recovery, to a conversation about “Creating Change from the Inside Out”. This focus on the work of self, particularly for those who do work in helping others, may tend to feel “selfish”. But this is not selfish, or really self-help, it’s about working on transformation from the inside out, finding an authentic connection to both the reality of joy and pain in our world in a healthier way. Pastor Micah reminds us of the importance of embracing our feelings of compassion for the world and for ourselves, before over-intellectualizing our problems. Paired with a conversation on John 3, and Nicodemus’ visit to Jesus in the night, we’ll see the ways that this type of self-work is its own form of being born anew, and seeking an inside-out way to eternal life, we’ll find the promise of gift that is already within us.

Questions for Reflection: Take a fearless moral inventory, beginning with what resentments you're carrying. What things, like Nicodemus are you overthinking in the night? What are three ways you can practice compassion for yourself and others this week?

We’d like to encourage you to discuss these questions with a conversation partner, whatever you’re comfortable sharing, you’re invited to share your reflections in the comments section of our Muhlenberg Lutheran Facebook page, Instagram @MuhlenbergLC, or on YouTube. Thank you, for gathering with us today around the Wellspring, we’re looking forward to another episode next week! Learn more about our congregation online, or by joining us for worship each Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00am Eastern Standard Time, with the 11:00 service streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Your financial support of the ministry of Muhlenberg makes the many ministries, including digital ones like this, possible for our community. You can make your gifts online at www.muhlenberglutheran.org/give