Some fragmented thoughts on gummy bears, Sun Sugar tomatoes, the consolation of sweetness, harmony of flavors, and bearing true witness in a season of lies
Hello Jeff! I am a member of Crosspointe Cary, and we look forward to seeing you again soon! I picked up the book from Barnes and Nobles last Sunday and started reading it immediately. So far, I was thrilled to read that you took a field trip to Conetoe, North Carolina where my daddy was born and raised!!! And I grew up in Princeville! Richard Joyner is a dear friend of our family, and he served as our CICU chaplain at WakeMed in Raleigh where everybody loved him dearly! So, thanks for including that reference in the book. It was heartwarming to read. I'm about a third of the way through the book and am enjoying it immensely!!! Can't wait for the discussion at Crosspointe! Love, Felecia
I happened to be reflecting on that passage in John's Gospel that you mentioned (the one about Jesus on the beach cooking breakfast). Most sermons I have heard on the topic focus on his exchange with Peter: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?"
But, strange person that I am, I started thinking, "Where did the bread and the fish come from?" And then, "Oh, isn't this somehow like 'The miracle of the loaves and the fishes?'
I have no idea what any of this means... but somehow Jesus on the beach calling out to them "Lads, have ye any fish?" is one of those enigmatic sayings of Jesus that seem pregnant with meaning.
I also liked your story about your mom toting around the "Left Behind Series" book(s). About the time that series came out, I began writing an apocalypse story of my own, I guess you would say "in protest." (!) I tried to reimagine the story in a way that didn't include people having to buy Rapture Insurance and leave their clothes behind : )
I’m reading Good Soil aloud because it calls me to do that. Thank you. It’s so beautiful. Also just watched my last Berkeley tie dye tomato wilt over and die. I was not reading the book to them! That’s a note about how my gardening is going as well as appreciation that the Farminary lost its tie dyes. Onward to the second round of seedlings (not tie dyes)!
I love this Jeff, how you'r e weaving these tastes we so ostensibly take for granted into your Lenten posts. If you can remember our growing season here in Florida for tomatoes is now to get them going and ready and weather dependent and enough shade maybe last into summer months. (pots only) I'll get some of those seeds you mentioned. I dehybridize everything. My after several years of doing zinnias I ended up with the most gorgeous flowers, as you can imagine. I digress.
I wish you the best on your tour as it continues. Everyone is talking about your new book and it's in my TBR pile. Prayers for you. Go well.
Jeff, my husband and I lived in Cary and now in Rochester, MN continuing to be part of the Crosspointe community.
We started listening as you read us Good Soil on a Saturday road trip. What a delight! Your wisdom, honesty and amazing writing talent touch our souls and nudge us to dig into the depth of our soil. Thank you.
Thank you for being you and sharing yourself. Thank you for demonstrating what patience, love, gentleness, strength, stretching and growth can look like.
We also appreciated the tip on preparing fried rice. ☺️. We really are grateful for your gifts.
Hi Jeff, thanks, as always, for your writing. I had hoped to come out for the New York stop on your book tour, but ended up being out of town. I had pre-ordered the book and got it in the mail when I returned from my trip. I was pleasantly surprised to find a personalized autograph. It brightened my day, and I am already a good way into reading the book. Just wanted to say thank you!
I’m such a dorky introvert outside my work life. As a Vet Tech I love my patients and their guardians but once home..it’s me and the garden so when I read this today it struck such a longing chord in me..I’d forgotten what John had spoke. ..thank you for this reminder ❤️
“I don’t think you have to believe in Christian theology or hold any interest in the Christian faith to be inspired by John’s testimony that his dear friend loved him and so many others so well. It makes me want to experience that kind of belonging. It also compels me to extend it to others— to still the waters, to create space, to offer refuge..”
I listened to you and Kate B on her podcast today and so loved your words about finding the ‘small’. I ordered your book and am looking forward to jumping into it.
You’re not in Boston on tour or the Northeast. Is that in the works for the future ? And do you ever preach in the Boston area?
I ordered a copy, forgetting that I signed up for a signed one 🙂 and gave it to a friend who is excited to read it. I’m about 100 pages into my copy and omg I’ve been on the verge of tears many times. I so love your honesty, questions and sense of humor. Mad props. So sorry I missed you in NYC last week.
Just ordered your book today from my local bookstore and can't wait to read it! This post makes me long for summer tomatoes fresh off the vine...
Hello Jeff! I am a member of Crosspointe Cary, and we look forward to seeing you again soon! I picked up the book from Barnes and Nobles last Sunday and started reading it immediately. So far, I was thrilled to read that you took a field trip to Conetoe, North Carolina where my daddy was born and raised!!! And I grew up in Princeville! Richard Joyner is a dear friend of our family, and he served as our CICU chaplain at WakeMed in Raleigh where everybody loved him dearly! So, thanks for including that reference in the book. It was heartwarming to read. I'm about a third of the way through the book and am enjoying it immensely!!! Can't wait for the discussion at Crosspointe! Love, Felecia
I happened to be reflecting on that passage in John's Gospel that you mentioned (the one about Jesus on the beach cooking breakfast). Most sermons I have heard on the topic focus on his exchange with Peter: "Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these?"
But, strange person that I am, I started thinking, "Where did the bread and the fish come from?" And then, "Oh, isn't this somehow like 'The miracle of the loaves and the fishes?'
I have no idea what any of this means... but somehow Jesus on the beach calling out to them "Lads, have ye any fish?" is one of those enigmatic sayings of Jesus that seem pregnant with meaning.
There are layers and layers to this story, which is one of my favorites.
I also liked your story about your mom toting around the "Left Behind Series" book(s). About the time that series came out, I began writing an apocalypse story of my own, I guess you would say "in protest." (!) I tried to reimagine the story in a way that didn't include people having to buy Rapture Insurance and leave their clothes behind : )
I’m reading Good Soil aloud because it calls me to do that. Thank you. It’s so beautiful. Also just watched my last Berkeley tie dye tomato wilt over and die. I was not reading the book to them! That’s a note about how my gardening is going as well as appreciation that the Farminary lost its tie dyes. Onward to the second round of seedlings (not tie dyes)!
I love this Jeff, how you'r e weaving these tastes we so ostensibly take for granted into your Lenten posts. If you can remember our growing season here in Florida for tomatoes is now to get them going and ready and weather dependent and enough shade maybe last into summer months. (pots only) I'll get some of those seeds you mentioned. I dehybridize everything. My after several years of doing zinnias I ended up with the most gorgeous flowers, as you can imagine. I digress.
I wish you the best on your tour as it continues. Everyone is talking about your new book and it's in my TBR pile. Prayers for you. Go well.
Jeff, my husband and I lived in Cary and now in Rochester, MN continuing to be part of the Crosspointe community.
We started listening as you read us Good Soil on a Saturday road trip. What a delight! Your wisdom, honesty and amazing writing talent touch our souls and nudge us to dig into the depth of our soil. Thank you.
Thank you for being you and sharing yourself. Thank you for demonstrating what patience, love, gentleness, strength, stretching and growth can look like.
We also appreciated the tip on preparing fried rice. ☺️. We really are grateful for your gifts.
Thank you so much! I will be preaching in Rochester in early October, at Zumbro Lutheran Church. If you're in town, please come say hello!
Definitely!!!! That’s great news for us!
Hi Jeff, thanks, as always, for your writing. I had hoped to come out for the New York stop on your book tour, but ended up being out of town. I had pre-ordered the book and got it in the mail when I returned from my trip. I was pleasantly surprised to find a personalized autograph. It brightened my day, and I am already a good way into reading the book. Just wanted to say thank you!
I’m such a dorky introvert outside my work life. As a Vet Tech I love my patients and their guardians but once home..it’s me and the garden so when I read this today it struck such a longing chord in me..I’d forgotten what John had spoke. ..thank you for this reminder ❤️
“I don’t think you have to believe in Christian theology or hold any interest in the Christian faith to be inspired by John’s testimony that his dear friend loved him and so many others so well. It makes me want to experience that kind of belonging. It also compels me to extend it to others— to still the waters, to create space, to offer refuge..”
Jeff,
I listened to you and Kate B on her podcast today and so loved your words about finding the ‘small’. I ordered your book and am looking forward to jumping into it.
You’re not in Boston on tour or the Northeast. Is that in the works for the future ? And do you ever preach in the Boston area?
I will be at Porter Square Books in Cambridge on May 1.
Full tour details are here: https://byjeffchu.com/tour
I ordered a copy, forgetting that I signed up for a signed one 🙂 and gave it to a friend who is excited to read it. I’m about 100 pages into my copy and omg I’ve been on the verge of tears many times. I so love your honesty, questions and sense of humor. Mad props. So sorry I missed you in NYC last week.