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 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.
The style resonated for me. My neurodiverse brain is used to webbed thinking and prefers it to more linear modalities. For what it's worth, I had read some of Evans' earlier work prior to reading Wholehearted Faith, and it was not a dissonant experience for me. I wouldn't be able to tell you now which parts were hers and which were yours. I thought you honored her memory - and voice - well. Peace.
I wish I could offer constructive criticism (to be helpful!) but the truth is your writing voice just resonates with me. It feels kindred. I am very thankful for you sharing your writing (and your thoughts) through these notes!
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!
Your format invites us all to stop and think. I often am amazed at how your words stir my feelings, many of those bubbling to the surface as your words resonant through me. I especially love Fozzie’s story and how our furry friends teach us much about ourselves. For the record, I loved your insights into RHE book.💜
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!
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!
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.
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 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.
This retired lit prof loves what you do--especially today how voice is connected with audience as much as authentic self.
The style resonated for me. My neurodiverse brain is used to webbed thinking and prefers it to more linear modalities. For what it's worth, I had read some of Evans' earlier work prior to reading Wholehearted Faith, and it was not a dissonant experience for me. I wouldn't be able to tell you now which parts were hers and which were yours. I thought you honored her memory - and voice - well. Peace.
I wish I could offer constructive criticism (to be helpful!) but the truth is your writing voice just resonates with me. It feels kindred. I am very thankful for you sharing your writing (and your thoughts) through these notes!
Loved this one, maybe because the form appeals to my adhd brain? But also loved Fozz developing a voice! 🥹
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!
Your format invites us all to stop and think. I often am amazed at how your words stir my feelings, many of those bubbling to the surface as your words resonant through me. I especially love Fozzie’s story and how our furry friends teach us much about ourselves. For the record, I loved your insights into RHE book.💜
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!
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!
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
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
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.
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).
Lyrical, horizontal, a voice against the graphite sharp tone. Strong and comforting:)
I loved this. It was gentle and questioning and real. I find your writings very grounding, this one more than ever.
Thank you.