Jeff, I am not well health wise but well otherwise. Given no choice but to choose my attitude I work at celebrating the good days and enduring the other days. On a good day life exudes possibilities and ideas and on the other days survival and endurance are the priorities. I didn’t ask for it but couldn’t give it away because no one deserves this. And, at least, as a military retiree and disabled veteran I have unbelievable health care with some amazing doctors and a loving caring husband. I am not a hero and I have my moments but my life is pretty good.
That being said I enjoy your writing and affirm what you said about the new speaker. In his comments he characterized some of my beloved children and I’m angered by his bias and lack of love. Poor man to be so afraid. Take heart Jeff. You are loved just as you are. Take a moment and listen to Bobby McFerrins Psalm 23. That would upset the new speaker and a whole bunch like him. I add a link but that’s beyond my abilities. Blessings june
Prayers for my daughter, Rev. Jenny Wynn, as she leaves pulpit ministry to become Director of Development at Phillips Seminary in Tulsa this week. She moved into a place yesterday and is trying to get settled with the help of my son. Quite a change from minister at Fitst Christian Scottsdale to non pulpit/church ministry!
I enjoyed reading this as it is so true! I wonder if only joy in us can see joy outside us. If we think of joy as a feeling, we often are bereft. Yet in all of us, there is a joy that cannot be destroyed. No matter what we do to each other or to ourselves, I don’t think we can destroy at the very deepest level, this essence of joy which does not depend on circumstances. Love gives us the strength to hold the contradictions in ourselves and hopefully in others when we realise that for many of us, fear is the driving force but it is not the only force. I’m meditating on the women as they hurried away from the tomb, they were both afraid and yet filled with joy and ran to tell ….
Oh the joy of sorrow. Been there, done that, don’t want to do it again, BUT, yep big BUT. It’s going to come around again. My go to head song is from the Nitty Gritty band, “Will the Circle be unbroken.” The first part says: “Will the circle be unbroken. By and by, Lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting In the sky, Lord, in the sky.” Amen.
Jeff, you write such encouraging words to me. Thank you again and again for writing when you are ok. You always give me so much to think about. That song is beautiful. So much beauty around us here in even in the midst of so much ugly and painful. Voices like yours are such a balm to me.
I found your substack by accident. I'm not gay or christian, really, but I like your somber approach. I saw the graphic for "Way of the Donkey," and thought, for half a second, that it was a tribute to Benjamin Hoff's books on the topic of Taoism through the lens of Winnie the Pooh. I have a soft spot for Eeyore. He has a melancholy sense of humor... but he does have one. And quite frankly, I find that reassuring.
The last time I went to church, the pastor was telling a story about a recently returned veteran who was struggling. And she (the pastor) went on about how they were going to show the veteran the light, and how he WAS going to see the light, and feel God's love... and all I could think was that she'd utterly missed the point. If someone's lost in the shadow, you can't drag them kicking and screaming into bright sunlight. They'll be painfully blinded, and forced to be uncomfortable. You have to meet them in the twilight. It's close enough to the shadows where they are, but admits just enough light to navigate by, and gives them the choice to accept a little hope. It's not the greatest place in the world, but at least you're likely to find a few Eeyores there, to keep you company, and keep you entertained. Because at least there haven't been any earthquakes lately.
I also read the line in "Call and Response" about how someone described was that you insisted on being the most marginalized person in the room... And I wondered how they managed to say that with a straight face. I thought one of the underpinnings of Christianity had something to do with welcoming the marginalized. Something about love thy neighbor, and the golden Rule...
I read that your dog's name is Fozzie, and smiled. And it seemed appropriate, somehow: One of the best commentaries I hear about the Muppets is that part of their appeal is that, in truth, they weren't that great at their jobs, but they tried anyway, and loved doing it. Seems like an apt metaphor. Most of us aren't that great at it, either.
Anyways... thanks for doing what you do, and for being here to write about it.
Once again, you have just the right words. The Potluck of Sorrow. Amen. I've been listening to a lot of Paul Zach and Porter's Gate and the Brilliance the last few weeks. Sad, hopeful songs. God bless you, Tristan, and Fozzie.
Jeff, my heart thanks you for reminding me that it's okay to weep- both for the world's sorrows and also my own. Yet in the midst of all this, it is so important as you reminded me to look for the joy in life. The autumn colors, the hope of newly planted bulbs remind me that God has not finished his work in the world or in me. Peace and blessings to you always. You are such a calm and peaceful presence in this world.
The sermons of the garden/nature are vast indeed, and what I turn to often. The delight of bulbs and other perennials popping up in early spring here in Ontario brings me absolute pure undiluted joy every year. It never gets old. The snowdrop alone could indeed be an entire sermon series. Coming back every year, poking through the snow. Always small and humble, easy to miss if you don’t go out wandering to check. Some years strong and lush, some years tiny and battered by the elements, but always there.
Good morning! Your words do indeed make sense. A friend and I have been coaching one another in the midst of our collective work and family stressors, a la Michelle Obama's definition of 'when others go low, we go high': do your best by others, tell the truth, keep perspective, and do the work. It's been a very helpful lens with which to navigate through these stressful times. Blessings and peace! Ally
Hello Jeff...I'm new to your post but have felt such a deep connection. I work at a church, and we are preparing for Advent. Our theme this year is, "How does a weary world rejoice?" Several things you wrote connected with this theme and will hopefully inspire me as I write the liturgy for this important season. I do feel sorrow deep in my bones and happiness or even joy feels fleeting, wrapped in momentary situations. I'm also feeling the dread of transitioning seasons. The falling leaves, the cold wind, and the grey skies are signpost of autumn leaving and winter coming, days grow dark, and joy feels fleeting. It's time for me to sit, to live into my reality and be present with the pain. Your words today pointed me in that necessary direction, to not deflect my pain, but see what I can discover in the process. Thank you.
Jeff, I am not well health wise but well otherwise. Given no choice but to choose my attitude I work at celebrating the good days and enduring the other days. On a good day life exudes possibilities and ideas and on the other days survival and endurance are the priorities. I didn’t ask for it but couldn’t give it away because no one deserves this. And, at least, as a military retiree and disabled veteran I have unbelievable health care with some amazing doctors and a loving caring husband. I am not a hero and I have my moments but my life is pretty good.
That being said I enjoy your writing and affirm what you said about the new speaker. In his comments he characterized some of my beloved children and I’m angered by his bias and lack of love. Poor man to be so afraid. Take heart Jeff. You are loved just as you are. Take a moment and listen to Bobby McFerrins Psalm 23. That would upset the new speaker and a whole bunch like him. I add a link but that’s beyond my abilities. Blessings june
Hello Jeff, as we Quakers say, you speak to my condition. Thank you as always for the care you show us through your writing.
Prayers for my daughter, Rev. Jenny Wynn, as she leaves pulpit ministry to become Director of Development at Phillips Seminary in Tulsa this week. She moved into a place yesterday and is trying to get settled with the help of my son. Quite a change from minister at Fitst Christian Scottsdale to non pulpit/church ministry!
Visit “American Tune” by Paul Simon and performed with him as accompanist to Rhiannon Giddens. Peace, Dwight
I enjoyed reading this as it is so true! I wonder if only joy in us can see joy outside us. If we think of joy as a feeling, we often are bereft. Yet in all of us, there is a joy that cannot be destroyed. No matter what we do to each other or to ourselves, I don’t think we can destroy at the very deepest level, this essence of joy which does not depend on circumstances. Love gives us the strength to hold the contradictions in ourselves and hopefully in others when we realise that for many of us, fear is the driving force but it is not the only force. I’m meditating on the women as they hurried away from the tomb, they were both afraid and yet filled with joy and ran to tell ….
Oh the joy of sorrow. Been there, done that, don’t want to do it again, BUT, yep big BUT. It’s going to come around again. My go to head song is from the Nitty Gritty band, “Will the Circle be unbroken.” The first part says: “Will the circle be unbroken. By and by, Lord, by and by. There's a better home a-waiting In the sky, Lord, in the sky.” Amen.
Jeff, you write such encouraging words to me. Thank you again and again for writing when you are ok. You always give me so much to think about. That song is beautiful. So much beauty around us here in even in the midst of so much ugly and painful. Voices like yours are such a balm to me.
Hello Jeff,
I found your substack by accident. I'm not gay or christian, really, but I like your somber approach. I saw the graphic for "Way of the Donkey," and thought, for half a second, that it was a tribute to Benjamin Hoff's books on the topic of Taoism through the lens of Winnie the Pooh. I have a soft spot for Eeyore. He has a melancholy sense of humor... but he does have one. And quite frankly, I find that reassuring.
The last time I went to church, the pastor was telling a story about a recently returned veteran who was struggling. And she (the pastor) went on about how they were going to show the veteran the light, and how he WAS going to see the light, and feel God's love... and all I could think was that she'd utterly missed the point. If someone's lost in the shadow, you can't drag them kicking and screaming into bright sunlight. They'll be painfully blinded, and forced to be uncomfortable. You have to meet them in the twilight. It's close enough to the shadows where they are, but admits just enough light to navigate by, and gives them the choice to accept a little hope. It's not the greatest place in the world, but at least you're likely to find a few Eeyores there, to keep you company, and keep you entertained. Because at least there haven't been any earthquakes lately.
I also read the line in "Call and Response" about how someone described was that you insisted on being the most marginalized person in the room... And I wondered how they managed to say that with a straight face. I thought one of the underpinnings of Christianity had something to do with welcoming the marginalized. Something about love thy neighbor, and the golden Rule...
I read that your dog's name is Fozzie, and smiled. And it seemed appropriate, somehow: One of the best commentaries I hear about the Muppets is that part of their appeal is that, in truth, they weren't that great at their jobs, but they tried anyway, and loved doing it. Seems like an apt metaphor. Most of us aren't that great at it, either.
Anyways... thanks for doing what you do, and for being here to write about it.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer speaks with credibility and his suggestion to find God in all of it is challenging.
Once again, you have just the right words. The Potluck of Sorrow. Amen. I've been listening to a lot of Paul Zach and Porter's Gate and the Brilliance the last few weeks. Sad, hopeful songs. God bless you, Tristan, and Fozzie.
Jeff, my heart thanks you for reminding me that it's okay to weep- both for the world's sorrows and also my own. Yet in the midst of all this, it is so important as you reminded me to look for the joy in life. The autumn colors, the hope of newly planted bulbs remind me that God has not finished his work in the world or in me. Peace and blessings to you always. You are such a calm and peaceful presence in this world.
The sermons of the garden/nature are vast indeed, and what I turn to often. The delight of bulbs and other perennials popping up in early spring here in Ontario brings me absolute pure undiluted joy every year. It never gets old. The snowdrop alone could indeed be an entire sermon series. Coming back every year, poking through the snow. Always small and humble, easy to miss if you don’t go out wandering to check. Some years strong and lush, some years tiny and battered by the elements, but always there.
Good morning! Your words do indeed make sense. A friend and I have been coaching one another in the midst of our collective work and family stressors, a la Michelle Obama's definition of 'when others go low, we go high': do your best by others, tell the truth, keep perspective, and do the work. It's been a very helpful lens with which to navigate through these stressful times. Blessings and peace! Ally
Hello Jeff...I'm new to your post but have felt such a deep connection. I work at a church, and we are preparing for Advent. Our theme this year is, "How does a weary world rejoice?" Several things you wrote connected with this theme and will hopefully inspire me as I write the liturgy for this important season. I do feel sorrow deep in my bones and happiness or even joy feels fleeting, wrapped in momentary situations. I'm also feeling the dread of transitioning seasons. The falling leaves, the cold wind, and the grey skies are signpost of autumn leaving and winter coming, days grow dark, and joy feels fleeting. It's time for me to sit, to live into my reality and be present with the pain. Your words today pointed me in that necessary direction, to not deflect my pain, but see what I can discover in the process. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing so much love.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwir0aeQtZeCAxV7PEQIHdlqBp0QtwJ6BAgQEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Do9fzWq-d8jU&usg=AOvVaw3Hj_oGYaHkPzMn6gjlypDs&opi=89978449
Thank you, June!