I loved the format of today’s newsletter! I have always loved fiction that weaves together different parts of the story and today’s essay was beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Jeff, I greatly appreciate all that you write, no matter what style you choose to use to shape your story. How you wove Fozzie's voice and your voice and Rachel's voice was so beautiful. I have never met Rachel Held Evans, but in her writing, I see expansive faith which is accepting of complexity and multiple voices. This is the gift of your storytelling and writing also as you share others' stories and describe how we each find our way to live into gifts that God has given each of us. There will always be people who don't like or want to change something we give to the world. I believe as long as we are all humbly asking God to help us figure out what it is that God wants us to do and then being open to setting forth on the journey, then it is all good with God, which is all that really matters in the end. Thank you for the ways that you help all of us to experience God and find our voices.🙏❤
I loved all of it Jeff...Fozzie’s voice reminds me of someone... 😊 I’m learning from both of you! And also being brave and now writing on Substack too. 👏🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼 It is terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. Your voice has helped me/is helping me...find me. So thankful for you!!!
Jeff, one of the things that I often catch--and receive as a gift--between the lines and paragraphs and sections of your newsletter is whatever permission you ended up giving yourself for it to just stand as it is before you hit publish. Like a pastor who preaches a 'good enough' sermon because she believes that it truly is sufficient for the task at hand and doesn't need it to be any more or less. I struggle to give myself that permission a lot of the time, so when I see or feel it in others, I am always inspired. Regardless of how they might feel about it themselves, it communicates to me the very deep rootedness of purpose and person that I am striving for in my on personhood. It's really quite peaceful and lovely.
Thanks so much, Rachel. Honestly, if I waited for a sermon or an essay to be "perfect," whatever that means, I'd never preach or publish a single thing. I'm one of those writers who could keep tweaking and editing until the end of time. Sometimes the best gift I can give myself is to say, "Yes, that's good enough."
I worry that, at least in mainstream American society, we've sometimes got the balance wrong: The self is so prioritized that we lose sight of our interdependence.
Jeff, I use your newsletter to create a quiet time during my day. I always appreciate your messages and encouragement. Please keep doing what you're doing. And more Fozzie. Blessings!
I have read all of Rachel Held Evans book. I thought they way you finished Whole Hearted Faith was a well written compliment to a beloved friend. And I love it. After I read that book I found your blog and have been enjoying your writing and reflections since!
The humility in your voice always make your writing resonate with me. Contrasting Fozzie’s voice with yours worked. Thanks for sharing your amazing gift!
I like this structure. It invites us to consider something from many angles. Many things can be true, buy we are immersed in binary (shouty) thinking all the time. This type of writing feels contemplative. I like it.
Be it sermon writing or essay writing, I am always amazed as to how a "theme" emerges even when one begins writing without an intention. I loved the unintended connections of your essay. The voices of Fozzie, Chinese poets, journalism, and even Lauren Daigle serve to help us engage the role of our own voices. Thank you.
Thank you for explaining the style of your piece ‘Exploration is more the goal than pronouncement.’ This so resonates with me as a way to have dialogue with others - it is respectful in that you offer thoughts and ideas that the reader can choose to integrate, or not, rather than the usual more bombastic, thoroughly founded on a ‘right argument’ kind of piece. I love it!
I loved the format of today’s newsletter! I have always loved fiction that weaves together different parts of the story and today’s essay was beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Jeff, I greatly appreciate all that you write, no matter what style you choose to use to shape your story. How you wove Fozzie's voice and your voice and Rachel's voice was so beautiful. I have never met Rachel Held Evans, but in her writing, I see expansive faith which is accepting of complexity and multiple voices. This is the gift of your storytelling and writing also as you share others' stories and describe how we each find our way to live into gifts that God has given each of us. There will always be people who don't like or want to change something we give to the world. I believe as long as we are all humbly asking God to help us figure out what it is that God wants us to do and then being open to setting forth on the journey, then it is all good with God, which is all that really matters in the end. Thank you for the ways that you help all of us to experience God and find our voices.🙏❤
I loved all of it Jeff...Fozzie’s voice reminds me of someone... 😊 I’m learning from both of you! And also being brave and now writing on Substack too. 👏🏼🙌🏼🙏🏼 It is terrifying and wonderful all at the same time. Your voice has helped me/is helping me...find me. So thankful for you!!!
Nice. Didn't notice your structure until you mentioned it, then was impressed with your light touch:
嬌 (delicate or tender), 絃 (string), 玉 (jade), 指 (finger), and 清 (clear).
Jeff, one of the things that I often catch--and receive as a gift--between the lines and paragraphs and sections of your newsletter is whatever permission you ended up giving yourself for it to just stand as it is before you hit publish. Like a pastor who preaches a 'good enough' sermon because she believes that it truly is sufficient for the task at hand and doesn't need it to be any more or less. I struggle to give myself that permission a lot of the time, so when I see or feel it in others, I am always inspired. Regardless of how they might feel about it themselves, it communicates to me the very deep rootedness of purpose and person that I am striving for in my on personhood. It's really quite peaceful and lovely.
Thanks so much, Rachel. Honestly, if I waited for a sermon or an essay to be "perfect," whatever that means, I'd never preach or publish a single thing. I'm one of those writers who could keep tweaking and editing until the end of time. Sometimes the best gift I can give myself is to say, "Yes, that's good enough."
Jeff,
Your columns always speaks to me. I appreciate how you share both life and thinking with us. I too enjoyed the touch today.
Loretta
This retired lit prof loves what you do--especially today how voice is connected with audience as much as authentic self.
I worry that, at least in mainstream American society, we've sometimes got the balance wrong: The self is so prioritized that we lose sight of our interdependence.
Popping in to say - I'm here for anything you write about Fozzie. More Fozzie, please, in any way you care to use him to illustrate your points.
with love from the housemate of Daisy, another weirdly and uniquely vocal terrier
Fozzie appreciates your support and would also like to note that he never gave consent for any of his story to be shared. He's filing a complaint.
Daisy sends her support to Fozzie. #terriersolidarity
Jeff, I use your newsletter to create a quiet time during my day. I always appreciate your messages and encouragement. Please keep doing what you're doing. And more Fozzie. Blessings!
I have read all of Rachel Held Evans book. I thought they way you finished Whole Hearted Faith was a well written compliment to a beloved friend. And I love it. After I read that book I found your blog and have been enjoying your writing and reflections since!
The humility in your voice always make your writing resonate with me. Contrasting Fozzie’s voice with yours worked. Thanks for sharing your amazing gift!
I like this structure. It invites us to consider something from many angles. Many things can be true, buy we are immersed in binary (shouty) thinking all the time. This type of writing feels contemplative. I like it.
Loved this one, maybe because the form appeals to my adhd brain? But also loved Fozz developing a voice! 🥹
Thanks, friend. I did not even think of how linear storytelling might be less than hospitable to some brains! This is a great and helpful point.
Thank you Jeff. I am always delighted to receive and read your writings. I love hearing about Fozzie and your applications to our lives.
Be it sermon writing or essay writing, I am always amazed as to how a "theme" emerges even when one begins writing without an intention. I loved the unintended connections of your essay. The voices of Fozzie, Chinese poets, journalism, and even Lauren Daigle serve to help us engage the role of our own voices. Thank you.
Thank you for explaining the style of your piece ‘Exploration is more the goal than pronouncement.’ This so resonates with me as a way to have dialogue with others - it is respectful in that you offer thoughts and ideas that the reader can choose to integrate, or not, rather than the usual more bombastic, thoroughly founded on a ‘right argument’ kind of piece. I love it!