sick and hAlarious: Encountering God in it All

Layne and Abigail are back in the book of Judges exploring the haunting tale of Jephthah's unnamed daughter and ask why it reads like a script from an episode of Game of Thrones. As they ponder where God could possibly be  in this text, they look for meaningful ways to remember and honor this young girl whose life was unnecessarily cut short. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious. Scripture Reading: Judges 11:29-40www.sickhapodcast.com

Why did Layne and Abigail disappear? Sick and hAlarious is back just in time for the lenten season. In this episode, Layne and Abigail delve into the book of Judges, taking a closer look at Samson's birth narrative. They ponder lenten practices, pursuing holiness, and reflect on the damaging message of outward appearances they grew up with. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!Scripture reading: Judges 13

Layne and Abigail take a moment to remember those who have joined the great cloud of witnesses this All Saints' Sunday. They reminisce about the dollar theater in Cleveland, Harry Potter, and Abigail's great aunt Betty. On this All Saints' Sunday,  they invite you to contemplate the impact of those you have lost, giving thanks to God for their lives. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!Scripture reading: Hebrews 12:1-6sickhapodcast.compatreon.com

Abigail and Layne are back! Enjoy this special Halloween episode where they ask is the vaccine is the Mark of the Beast? They decide to read a passage from Revelation to get some clarity on the whole thing and finally get some understanding on the meaning of 666. Also included in this episode is a discussion about ticks in the afterlife. Join them as they look for God in the sick and hAlarious!Scripture reading: Revelation 13:11-18 

Layne and Abigail share the changes that have taken place in their lives over the past few months. Abigail reminds Layne of the most annoying CD she ever burned for her and they talk about Layne's tractor loving grandpa. Turning to the Psalms for comfort, they decide to do something a little different with the scripture portion this week. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!Scripture reading Psalm 139:1-18To support sick and hAlarious, find us on patreon! patreon.com/sickhapodcastSubscribe to our website for all the latest updates! www.sickhapodcast.com

Layne and Abigail think it's a good time to re-release their most popular episode which includes their interview Dr. Sarah Jacobs and Dr. Erin Goranson. If you know someone who is still hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, be sure to share this insightful conversation with them! Scripture Reference: Luke 17:11-19patreon.com/sickhapodcastsickhapodcast.comOriginal DescriptionIn the wake of the global pandemic and the subsequent development of the COVID 19 vaccine, Layne and Abigail turn to two to medical doctors to answer all their questions and concerns about the vaccine. They welcome Dr. Sarah M. Jacobs, MD, and Dr. Erin N. Goranson, MD, who help them understand how our bodies work, what a vaccine is and does, and why we can trust the science behind the COVID 19 vaccine. These brilliant women are both graduates of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and share their insight, wisdom, and expertise with laughter and charm. Join them and encounter God in the healthy and serious!

Abigail and Layne begin a series discussing modern forms of idolatry and this week's focus is on guns. They wonder if Jesus would have carried a firearm and turn to a story in the Gospel of Matthew to hear Jesus' opinion on the whole matter. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious! Scripture Reading:  Matthew 26:47-56 www.patreon.com/sickhapodcast 

On this deep dive, Layne tells Abigail all about the 18th century itinerant preacher, John Wesley. Layne reframes  the life of Wesley through his many failed romances and his inner turmoil of serving God or having a family. Abigail and Layne reflect on how Wesley's understanding of Christian perfection really screwed them up from a young age and decide to embrace their imperfections by not editing out their mistakes in this episode. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 7:1-11sickhapodcast.comwww.patreon.com/sickhapodcast

Sick and hAlarious are Back! Layne and Abigail explore the reasons why life can be so competitive and why no one feels like they are winning. Through the lens of biblical  marriage (polygamous and kinda incestuous) they wonder what would happen if women didn't play into patriarchy's hand.  Also included in the episodes is numerous references to Friends and discussing the concept of sister sister wives.  Join them and encounter God in the Sick and hAlarious! Support us at patreon.com/sickhapodcastsickhapodcast.comScripture discussion Genesis 29:15-30:1

Check out this quick update to hear all about Abigail and Layne's Pacific Northwest Adventure and to hear details about the upcoming season 2!

Layne and Abigail take a look at Nonviolent Communication and discuss all the ways it has helped them navigate through life. They imagine their dream retirement situation and use the model of Nonviolent Communication to help them navigate a difficult situation. They also turn to Jesus' sermon on the mount and feel encouraged that the narrow path to life is a life of vulnerability and asking for what you need. Join them and encounter God in the Sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.comdiscussed in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHduBeFdyns https://www.cnvc.org/ Matthew 7:7-20

Explicit content warning: this episode contains language not suitable for children. Layne and Abigail recall moments they've received unwanted sexual comments as they've gone about their normal daily routines, acknowledging this is a universal experience for all women. Looking to Hosea 1, they find a woman who is labeled by the text in a sexually explicit manner and ask in what ways harmful language directed at women in the Bible have contributed to perpetuating patriarchal and misogynistic readings of scripture. With a feminist hermeneutic, they subvert the text and explore the feminine aspects of God. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!Scripture reading: Hosea 1:2-11sickhapodcast.com

On this month's deep dive Layne lists all the reasons LeBron James is one of her heroes. She tells Abigail about LeBron's rise to basketball stardom and the high expectations placed on him from an early age, admiring his ability to stay true to himself and bring a long-expected championship to his hometown of Cleveland (Ohio, not Tennessee). They turn to the gospel of Luke and trace the parallels between Jesus' own difficulties in his hometown and wonder why it is hardest for the people who know us best to support and accept who we are and where we are going. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com

Abigail and Layne ask what they regret and whether it can be transformed by the Easter story and Jesus' resurrection. They examine Peter's actions before and after the crucifixion reflecting on how he illustrates the ways our own denial, fear, and worries can be transformed. Layne shares a story about a mall cop illuminating her own ability to be fearful and deny her convictions. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious! www.sickhapodcast.com

In light of Holy Week and Good Friday Abigail and Layne ask the question, what are you grieving? They take a look back over the last year and give space to acknowledge all the loss and change that occurred in their lives. They turn to the story of Lazarus in the Gospel of John and ask Jesus how to grieve. Don't worry! This episode still has laughter and Layne tells a story of a whale watching tour gone bad! Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious! sickhapodcast.com

No topic is off limits for Abigail and Layne and this week they discuss spiritual warfare. They sit down with Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, Executive Presbyter of the Greater Atlanta Presbytery, who explains what it is and whether we should engage in it. Together they look at a story in the gospel of Mark about a man tormented by thousands who is healed by Jesus and the implications of that story for spiritual warfare. Aisha sheds light on how this spiritual discipline can lead to freedom and is not something we have to fear. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!www.sickhapodcast.com

Abigail and Layne scrutinize the prohibition against gossip and wonder if it's as bad as we all think. They ask if women are told not to gossip in order to keep patriarchy in power and read a salacious story in Genesis which demonstrates that God's plans just might be revealed through the town gossip. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com

Abigail and Layne wonder why in high school it became popular to “kiss dating goodbye.” They examine their own dating history and discuss why the church perpetuates fear of romance. Abigail and Layne take a look at the book of Ruth and look for God in the scandal of a midnight surprise. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!www.sickhapodcast.com/

Layne and Abigail wonder why hospitality within the church is often gendered and reduced to hosting parties and special events. With the help of fellow Lee alumni Dr. Beth Ritter-Conn, whose research focuses on the theological dimensions of food, hospitality, and immigration, they invite us to consider the radical, disruptive practice that is not only welcoming the other, but being welcomed by the other. They look at the Genesis 18 text where Abraham welcomes three strangers (who are they?!) and ask how it challenges us to reconsider they ways we practice this mandate. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!Dr. Beth Ritter-Conn is a graduate of Lee University and has a Ph.D. in Systematic and Philosophical Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She is a professor at Belmont University in Nashville where she resides with her beloved husband Jordan Ritter-Conn.If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!www.sickhapodcast.com

On this month's deep dive Abigail takes Layne deep into history to learn about the fascinating medieval prodigy and theologian Heloise. This is a story of many twists and turns and history has suggested Heloise suffered from a tragic love story, but maybe she  suffered from abuse. Layne and Abigail also tackle one of the toughest scriptures in the whole Bible-the one where Paul tells women to stay silent-but they take a closer look and feel confident to continue speaking and teaching.  Join them and encounter God in the story of Heloise!sickhapodcast.com

In the wake of the global pandemic and the subsequent development of the COVID 19 vaccine, Layne and Abigail turn to two to medical doctors to answer all their questions and concerns about the vaccine. They welcome Dr. Sarah M. Jacobs, MD, and Dr. Erin N. Goranson, MD, who help them understand how our bodies work, what a vaccine is and does, and why we can trust the science behind the COVID 19 vaccine. These brilliant women are both graduates of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and share their insight, wisdom, and expertise with laughter and charm. Join them and encounter God in the healthy and serious!www.sickhapodcast.com

Abigail and Layne take a look at the 10 Commandments and realize that we have the 9th commandment all wrong;  the word lie isn't even mentioned. They discuss what it means to bear false witness against our neighbor and  turn to the parable of The Good Samaritan to hear what Jesus has to say about it all. Layne tells a story about getting stuck in the snow on Mount Rainier and Abigail has some realizations while  watching political commercials. Join them and encounter God in the sick and HAlarious!  sickhapodcast.com

Layne and Abigail discuss our call as Christians to be stewards of the earth. They both reflect on their journey to understanding earth care as an important spiritual practice. They turn to the story of Cain and Abel to hear God's call to care for our earth and each other. Layne is surprised to realize that a tiger isn't mentioned and Abigail wonders how they knew about doors. Also in this episode Layne offers to start a book club and Abigail tells about her favorite pastime of  raking leaves. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com

Abigail and Layne discuss why taking time to celebrate and enjoy life often gets glossed over by Christians.  Layne shares how New Orleans converted her to a life of “letting the good times roll”  and Abigail shares a funny memory from seminary that Layne had totally forgotten. They turn to an odd book of wisdom in the Bible to get some clarity on when to celebrate.  A few digressions include Layne and Abigail's favorite telenovella  star and some of the weirdest conspiracy theories they recently heard. Join them and encounter God in the Sick and hAlarious!  sickhapodcast.com

Layne and Abigail decided that there is just a little bit too much going on this week for a whole new episode and thought it was a good time to revisit their interview with Dr. Todd Hibbard, their beloved Old Testament professor from college. This interview was a high point for Layne and Abigail and definitely worth a second listen. Don't worry there is some new stuff in this episode. Layne and Abigail have fresh stories and contemplate the reasons they engage scripture with laughter and joy. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!

On this episode Abigail and Layne ask: is Dolly Parton the Mother Teresa of Appalachia? Layne shares with Abi the reasons she finds Dolly to be a compelling figure who has stayed loyal to her roots. They both recall a trip to Gatlinburg where they attended a problematic rodeo owned by Parton and wonder why it still exists today. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com

Layne and Abigail join in the battle against the war on Christmas and demand Herod be put back in the narrative. They explore the darker side of the Christmas story and the meaning of Epiphany, marveling at God's revelation to those we least expect in the places we least expect. They also exchange stories about frightening experiences on buses in far away places. Join them and encounter God in Epiphany!sickhapodcast.com

On this magical Christmas episode, Abigail and Layne are joined by the other half of the sick and hAlarious production team, Jillian Spears Ivey and Jordan Bailey, who also happen to be their younger siblings. Together they discuss what it means to be home for Christmas and how those ideas are challenged by the global pandemic. They also look at the Christmas story from another angle and speculate the meaning of “no room for them in the inn.” Jordan and Jillian surprise Abigail and Layne with funny childhood memories of them and share lots of laughter and joy. Join them and encounter God in Christmas! sickhapodcast.com

Layne and Abigail continue their Advent journey looking for love in the midst of isolation. They both reflect on the ways that the pandemic has shaped this advent season and caused feelings of isolation and loneliness. They brainstorm ways to connect with others and figure out that turning one's camera off might just be the key to more meaningful connections. Also in the episode Layne shares about another interaction with a ghost and Abigail is surprised by Layne's Uncle!  Join us as we encounter God in Advent!

Layne and Abigail continue their advent journey looking for hope even in the midst of despair. Abigail shares a deeply personal story about her  experience of despair and how she  eventually found hope.  Also in this episode, Layne dramatically re-enacts a scene from Anne of Green Gables and Abigail tells of a three day argument with Alexa.  Join us as we look for God in this Advent Season!sickhapodcast.com

On this very special episode Abigail and Layne sit down with Rev. Crawford Brubaker (Layne's husband!) to discuss his new book “Alas! A Lament for The United States of America.”  Abigail and Crawford reminisce about a semester long Ezekiel project and Crawford shares about his journey with the book of Lamentations: how Lament helps make meaning and is a pathway to Joy. Join us as we look for God in this advent season.Use this link to Purchase “Alas! A Lament for The United States of America” https://www.hagarscommunitychurch.com/alas

Layne and Abigail enter this Advent season searching for peace even though their collective anxiety is at an all time high this year. Layne shares a sick story from one of our listeners and Abigail continues the saga of her baby teeth. They would like to invite you to download the SHP Advent Calendar and you can do so by subscribing at sickhapodcast.com. Join them and encounter God in Advent!

Abigail and Layne sit down with the creator of Afros in San Juan Valerie Moreno to have a virtual cup of coffee and discuss the creative process. Valerie gives Layne and Abigail advice on how to engage purposefully in  creating art as well as tips on how to dumpster dive. They explore the creation text in Genesis 1 and reflect on what it means to participate in God's good creation as beings created in God's image. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com

With Advent just around the corner Layne and Abigail discuss their upcoming Advent series! In this preview episode they reflect on their earliest memories of Advent and why this spiritual practice is important to prepare for Christmas.  Please subscribe to sickhapodcast.com to receive the Sick and hAlarious  Advent Calendar. 

Layne and Abigail split hairs over the technical meaning of grace and decide to just give that haircut a trim and marvel at the goodness and mystery of God. They re-visit a well known parable and wish they could  time-travel into Jesus' imagination with some cartoon kids. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com

Layne and Abigail talk with guests Dr. Erin Raffety and Rev. J.J. Flag about ableism, disability, and the church. Both Erin and J.J. offer a path forward in recognizing and dismantling ableism which will require hard and continual work in ourselves and the church. Layne has trouble pronouncing the hardest name in the Bible and they all want to know why King David is so paranoid. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious! sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail debrief after what feels like the longest Election Day ever. They ask each other what it means to truly be a part of Jesus' radical vision for the world and determine to practice gratitude. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!sickhapodcast.com/connect

Ghosts on the stairs, ghosts in the shower, ghosts in the Bible! Layne and Abigail embrace the spooky, scary side of life in this special Halloween episode and talk about the ways in which confronting our fear is healthy and necessary. They think they've figured out when the first halloween took place and exchange encounters with the supernatural. Join them and encounter God in the spooky and scAry!https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Without the help of a calculator, Layne and Abigail finally settle the debate regarding whether or not the world is coming to an end.  They discuss rapture, apocalypse, and end times, coming to the conclusion that the Bible isn't really trying to hide anything at all.  Join them and encounter God in the Sick and hAlarious! https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail reflect on the surprising things God has called them to do. They have their first doctrinal divergence but try to refrain from judging each other. They also interview Rev. Brent Raska who shares his surprising journey from pastor to brew master. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!https://www.burningbushbrewery.com/https://web.facebook.com/burningbushbrew/?_rdc=1&_rdrhttps://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail wonder why making friends gets harder with age. They reflect on their 21 year friendships and wonder if it holds the key to making new friends. They look at the book of Job from a different angle and hope that we can all have friends like Job's one day! Join them and encounter God in the Sick and hAlarious.https://web.facebook.com/burningbushbrew/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Layne and Abigail talk about the pervasiveness of fatphobia and its harmful effects on the way people view themselves and others. Layne shares with Abi her personal journey towards overcoming fatphobia, inviting her and others to do the work required to rid oneself of fatphobic language, tendencies, and myths. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail wonder how to reconcile God's actions in the Bible with their own theological understanding of God. They consult with an expert and beloved college professor Dr. Todd Hibbard who inspired them to approach the biblical text with humor and reverence. With Dr. Hibbard they read a funny and troubling story in which God sends out lying spirits! They scratch their heads and laugh while asking the question "God did WHAT?" Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail wonder how the gospel of peace calls us into conflict and challenges us to confront our comfort that we often mistake for peace. They get a little snarky about a meme that tells us how to change the world and Layne shares the latest fashion trends in the prison. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail have an epiphany that going to church has never been optional for them because a) their parents made them attend every service growing up and b) they've been in full-time church ministry for their entire respective careers. They bemoan their Alma Mater's mandatory chapel services and do not regret at all being on chapel probation. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne wants to know why Abigail decided to leave everything behind and move to Mexico and if all the food is covered in cheese. Abigail explains what life is like and the ways in which Jesus calls us beyond ourselves in order to proclaim that the kingdom of God is nearer than we think. Join them and encounter God in Mexico!https://web.facebook.com/oasvfam/https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Abigail wants to know why Layne decided to plant a church in a prison and whether or not it's like Orange is the New Black. Layne shares her heart and vision for the women of Hagar's Community Church and the ways in which incarcerated women teach her who Christ is each day. Join them and encounter God in prison! https://www.hagarscommunitychurch.com/https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail are really sick of misconceptions regarding women in Christianity and address the ways in which women have always been a faithful part of and witness to the story of Jesus. There's a gender reveal, a pulling back of textual curtains, and a wink and a nod towards the subversive women of Exodus 1. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious! Discussed in this Episode: Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Episode 211 https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail reflect on past experiences through the lens of white privilege and consider the ways in which structural racism has shaped them and the church.  They invite you to begin the hard work of anti-racism that takes shape first through awareness, repentance, and social action.  Join them and encounter God in doing this work together. Discussed in this episode: "How To Be An Antiracist" by Ibram X Kendi "I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness" by Austin Channing Brown "I Bring The Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation" by Dr.          Chanequa Walker-Barnes"Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah"Just Mercy" by  Bryan Stevenson "Danger of A Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichiehttps://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail continue the second part of this series in explaining the mythical origins of sick and hAlarious, asking where God is when we laugh and have a good time. There's a lot of party talk, Jesus talk, and wondering whether or not the first miracle really was water into wine, bathtub water, or water into grape juice. Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!www.sickhapodcast.com/connect

Layne and Abigail trace the origins of their podcast name in the first episode of this two part series.  They reflect on the ways in which God has been present in the midst of the pandemic and other moments of suffering and heartache, including birth, death, and double rainbows! Join them and encounter God in the sick and hAlarious!https://www.sickhapodcast.com/connect