I am grateful that you have invited us all in to the uncomfortable place of trying to break even and asking for help.
It's made me feel more connected to those who are working so hard - because you were uncomfortably vulnerable and because it got us to step up and do what needed to be done (still hoping and praying that you get where you need to be). So it somehow makes me more connected to everyone going, too. Like church, but not church.
It also will be pocketed away by me as a time where people I tend to think of as being Very Big Deals said "hey, we need help and need to be vulnerable." Because if Sarah Bessey and Jeff Chu can be vulnerable to the internet? Then I suspect I can be vulnerable when I need to be in my own life.
Jeff please pray for me as I have a wound that isn’t healing. I’m scheduled to go to the wound client this week. I’m taking a class in spiritual foundations and I will need rides as I don’t drive. Thank you for praying Jeff. Wilma Rabidoux Hudsonville Michigan
Your questions are so great for me now. I chuckled to my self when I read the first one. Oh yea, I forgot that I had good news! Duh. Now I need to evangie myself! “What does it mean to proclaim good news in times like these? How do we hold onto hope when there seem to be so many reasons to despair? What do we have to do to find sustenance and inspiration amidst all this?”
So good. Sometimes I find myself trying to do all those extra things that aren't mine just to fill a void. After all these years of faithfulness I think I'm still afraid that if I go out there under my favorite tree and listen for Creator and lay down what is not mine, I'll be lonely. Or I'll grieve something unexpected. But as I've learned to lay things down, others have found their giftings to pick up what was never mine. Deep sigh. Thanks for all the work you're doing for Evolving Faith and for teaching us through it.
Just do my thing, do what’s mine to do. I love that, and yet I sometimes feel I don’t know what my thing is. But that not knowing is also part of me, part of my thing. It works itself out.
And oh…how much I needed to read that. One of the abiding things I took from the last EF conference was your question.. }Do you believe God loves you and how are you experiencing that right now?” It is one I have asked myself a few times over the last two years. Reading this tonight, in the middle of a stressful time and surrounded by so many friends who also seem to be struggling with lots just now, it was like wrapping myself up in a warm blanket, holding a hot chocolate, and breathing in the relaxing space that creates. Thank you.
I have to ask, is it ok to share the link to this?
And the thing is, sometimes what isn't yours to do IS mine to do and what isn't mine to do is someone else's and by you doing yours, no more and no less, I am provided the honor and opportunity to do what is mine, and when we can do it together as many parts of the same body moving on the same general direction and sharing the same general goals and values, we can be something so much better than if we tried to juggle every wish and need and dream trying to be "enough" alone
Jeff, I am so thankful for that first EV. I flew from Vancouver on a whim and Rachel and your talks were my favorite. I will never look at worms or compost the same way. Your voice matters. Do your thing, and trust the HS to do theirs. Many will be encouraged, just as I was years ago. Thanks for your faithfulness.
What a beautiful blessing! I especially needed to hear this: “You, the leader who just wants to be led, you are loved. You, the decision maker who is quietly suffering from decision fatigue and wish that someone else would just do it for you except that you would probably regret that, you are loved.”
I’m praying for Evolving Faith, and that the registrations tick up for you this week. I have a ticket, but will have to watch after the live event, which hurts my heart a bit, but I have other plans. I’m SO looking forward to watching all of it over the next couple of months.
I am grateful that you have invited us all in to the uncomfortable place of trying to break even and asking for help.
It's made me feel more connected to those who are working so hard - because you were uncomfortably vulnerable and because it got us to step up and do what needed to be done (still hoping and praying that you get where you need to be). So it somehow makes me more connected to everyone going, too. Like church, but not church.
It also will be pocketed away by me as a time where people I tend to think of as being Very Big Deals said "hey, we need help and need to be vulnerable." Because if Sarah Bessey and Jeff Chu can be vulnerable to the internet? Then I suspect I can be vulnerable when I need to be in my own life.
Thank you.
Mary
Jeff please pray for me as I have a wound that isn’t healing. I’m scheduled to go to the wound client this week. I’m taking a class in spiritual foundations and I will need rides as I don’t drive. Thank you for praying Jeff. Wilma Rabidoux Hudsonville Michigan
Of course! Holding this in my prayers.
Thank you so much Jeff. Wilma
Your questions are so great for me now. I chuckled to my self when I read the first one. Oh yea, I forgot that I had good news! Duh. Now I need to evangie myself! “What does it mean to proclaim good news in times like these? How do we hold onto hope when there seem to be so many reasons to despair? What do we have to do to find sustenance and inspiration amidst all this?”
So good. Sometimes I find myself trying to do all those extra things that aren't mine just to fill a void. After all these years of faithfulness I think I'm still afraid that if I go out there under my favorite tree and listen for Creator and lay down what is not mine, I'll be lonely. Or I'll grieve something unexpected. But as I've learned to lay things down, others have found their giftings to pick up what was never mine. Deep sigh. Thanks for all the work you're doing for Evolving Faith and for teaching us through it.
Mmm, that was a good read. Thank you.
Just do my thing, do what’s mine to do. I love that, and yet I sometimes feel I don’t know what my thing is. But that not knowing is also part of me, part of my thing. It works itself out.
And oh…how much I needed to read that. One of the abiding things I took from the last EF conference was your question.. }Do you believe God loves you and how are you experiencing that right now?” It is one I have asked myself a few times over the last two years. Reading this tonight, in the middle of a stressful time and surrounded by so many friends who also seem to be struggling with lots just now, it was like wrapping myself up in a warm blanket, holding a hot chocolate, and breathing in the relaxing space that creates. Thank you.
I have to ask, is it ok to share the link to this?
Yes, of course it's okay to share. Anything I write in the newsletter is public. Thank you!
Just what I needed to hear today, thank you! I have my ticket for Evolving Faith and cannot wait. Many thanks to you and Sarah and the team!!
This was really beautiful and encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
That was beautiful
And the thing is, sometimes what isn't yours to do IS mine to do and what isn't mine to do is someone else's and by you doing yours, no more and no less, I am provided the honor and opportunity to do what is mine, and when we can do it together as many parts of the same body moving on the same general direction and sharing the same general goals and values, we can be something so much better than if we tried to juggle every wish and need and dream trying to be "enough" alone
Jeff, I am so thankful for that first EV. I flew from Vancouver on a whim and Rachel and your talks were my favorite. I will never look at worms or compost the same way. Your voice matters. Do your thing, and trust the HS to do theirs. Many will be encouraged, just as I was years ago. Thanks for your faithfulness.
Beautiful and nourishing words - thank you so much:)
What a beautiful blessing! I especially needed to hear this: “You, the leader who just wants to be led, you are loved. You, the decision maker who is quietly suffering from decision fatigue and wish that someone else would just do it for you except that you would probably regret that, you are loved.”
I’m praying for Evolving Faith, and that the registrations tick up for you this week. I have a ticket, but will have to watch after the live event, which hurts my heart a bit, but I have other plans. I’m SO looking forward to watching all of it over the next couple of months.
Thank you Jeff! I so appreciate you.
Thank you