The InTensions Podcast

Madeline Black

Here we talk about God's Intentions for us in the middle of the tensions we walk through. This is a podcast about being a disciple of Jesus and how that changes everything. We'll talk about knowing God, relationships, justice, family, culture and more. I'm your host, Madeline Black. Thanks for being here and leaning into the tension.

  1. Lovability ≠ Productivity

    10 MAR

    Lovability ≠ Productivity

    Even in Christian circles, oftentimes we operate as if people’s value is commensurate with their helpfulness/productivity. Yet that’s a deeply non-Christian line of thought. For all of us, there are significant periods of time where we are dependent on the care of others (infancy, childhood, elderliness, etc). Also, some people experience substantial physical, cognitive, or mental health impairment for longer periods of their lives. Dependency doesn't decrease someone's value. Perhaps weakness is a window into our true value apart from our "usefulness." Rev. Sr. Sarah Baldwin and I unpack how the Holy Spirit roots belovedness in our hearts, how our encounters with others reveal God's heart, and the pain and beauty of dependency.

    47 min
  2. A reason to live: Stephanie's journey to Jesus

    24 FEB

    A reason to live: Stephanie's journey to Jesus

    Today's episode of @The_InTensions_Podcast hits on: * Why Jesus is better than the striving of any other love * The hidden catch behind Satan's offers * Craftiness of demonic guidance * How to love well when friends are in a dark spot

    33 min
  3. New Age to New Hope in Jesus

    10 FEB

    New Age to New Hope in Jesus

    What is new age spirituality? Today we learn through Stephanie Rountree's testimony. Today we talk crystals, astral projection, tarot cards, astrology... and why Jesus is better. Stephanie is Part 2 coming soon ! Stephanie Rountree is a campus missionary with Every Nation. She is passionate about discipleship, and creating space for meaningful conversations. She loves to laugh and unwinds with a good crochet project. @s_amelia_r @crochet_by_stephanie Want to support the show? * Pray * Follow - YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts * Support - Link in bio Be blessed, family! ✌🏼

    33 min
  4. Submission Pt. 3 - Church?

    6 JAN

    Submission Pt. 3 - Church?

    In this final episode of our mini-series, Keren Keener and Madeline Black discuss the intricacies of submission in the context of the Church and the Bride of Christ as its predominant metaphor. * How to we entrust ourselves to broken people? * What does the Bible say about accountability for leaders? * Who does Jesus give the work of ministry? * When we're dating, whether male or female, are we looking for a spouse worth submitting to? * What does the Trinity teach us about submission?

    37 min
  5. Submission Pt. 2 - What about slavery? Marriage?

    23/12/2025

    Submission Pt. 2 - What about slavery? Marriage?

    Keren Keener and Madeline Black continue to unpack God's intentions for family as seen throughout various texts, including Ephesians 5 & 6 and the Exodus narrative. They share how they've wrestled through these texts and what they're learning from the Lord in the process. Show links: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePromisedLandSeries

    32 min
  6. Submission Pt. 1

    16/12/2025

    Submission Pt. 1

    Men & Women, Fathers & Children, and Masters & Slaves Keren Keener and Madeline Black break down Ephesians 5 and 6 in context. - Was Paul a misogynist or a cultural liberal? - How does this text compare to other household codes? - How does God's character inform our submission? - What posture should we hold even in our external obedience? - What is God's heart for family? Jump into this week's tension as we seek to understand God's intentions as seen in the Scriptures.

    25 min
  7. The Secret Sauce: Learning Moral Worldviews -- with Keren Keener

    02/12/2025

    The Secret Sauce: Learning Moral Worldviews -- with Keren Keener

    Right/Wrong Honor/Shame Power/Fear Understanding these unseen, yet weighty cultural dynamics unlocks apparent mystery in communication. Whether we're loving our neighbor or working cross-culturally, learning how to recognize moral frameworks helps us see more clearly, specifically, by learning how to see whats "different" rather than merely "wrong." The enemy contextualizes his strategy according to our moral framework. Praise God, the Gospel is good news to all people everywhere, meaning God also contextualizes himself. By learning to hear and speak Kingdom Meaning in culturally contextualized ways, we're not only more effective, but inevitably will be more unified, too.

    37 min
  8. Emily's near death experience: A real taste of heaven

    18/11/2025

    Emily's near death experience: A real taste of heaven

    Emily shares her story of confirmed cardiac arrest 10 years ago. On the other side of death, she experienced glory. Even more strange, she's alive to tell about her experience. Tune in to hear her testimony of heaven.

    54 min
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About

Here we talk about God's Intentions for us in the middle of the tensions we walk through. This is a podcast about being a disciple of Jesus and how that changes everything. We'll talk about knowing God, relationships, justice, family, culture and more. I'm your host, Madeline Black. Thanks for being here and leaning into the tension.

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