Some fragmented thoughts on academic life, theological conversation, the things that matter, Lebanon under attack, rare plants, and a Good Soil giveaway
I don’t remember exactly how or when I started reading your posts, but your words touched me enough that I started seeking you out. So much so that when I saw that you were at a church in Cary, I knew I had to go. My backstory is that I moved to Durham, NC four years ago during the pandemic to help care for my first grandchild. I left a church where I felt very loved. After my move, I have not found another church that filled my soul (I did start out in the pandemic). When I started reading your posts I felt that I had finally found what my heart needed. I loved hearing your thoughts on community when you were at Crosspointe. Thank you Jeff for sharing.
I’m so thankful you bravely wondered aloud ‘where the good news was for those people who didn’t need to be unsettled’. Evidently it was very needed. Eff that finger wagging.
Thank you, Jeff, for your thoughts on theology. The quote from Teresa Okure was spot on. I have been in a lay study group for the past almost four years: Education for Ministry, led by the Episcopal Church’s Sewanee School of the South. Most of the time it seems like there is nothing in the readings that helps with ministry. Yet, I think our Zoom meetings every two weeks are opportunities for ministry, to one another, which carries on outside the meeting time as well. Thank you, again, for your newsletter.
I can relate to the “care too much what others think of my thoughts” camp so much!! From a recovering perfectionist/people pleaser.
A moment of grace: my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while, and my hopes were dashed again today. Tonight, at a party with a group of new acquaintances, the topic of infertility came up with one of them, and she confided to me that she was actually 8 weeks pregnant after a long struggle. “I’m not telling people yet,” she said, but I wanted you to know. Keep trying! It can happen for you, too.” Exactly what I needed to hear, from a perfect stranger.
Today, at our nonprofit fundraiser, I found grace in the network of people who came together to support this work. We may not have raised all that much money, but I'm encouraged by the support all the same.
Thank you for your inspiring words and thoughts that move me to ask what am I doing as well. Many days I don't honestly know. I know I am alone most of the time, and very lonely. The world just isn't a safe place for me to be right now and I really need some grace. Whenever I read your words, I sense hope and compassion, and it gives me courage. Thank you for that.
I am grateful for you and Nadia both reflecting on Grace this week. I am currently a student as well, working in a Masters in Teaching. Grace is something I think I must learn to practice, both in relationship with God and with fellow humans of all ages and backgrounds as I begin the adventure of teaching. Oh, and also to myself. Who would have thought growing up hearing about grace all of the time (Lutheran) that I would struggle having grace for myself? 😑🙃
Questions that have guided my own musing "what kind of people do we want to be?" What kind of world do we want to live in?" are beautiful precursors to your question "What are we actually doing here?"..... a call to action in a broken world. I love thinking of you wandering in Stellenbosch where I so recently wandered. How lucky are they (even the finger wagging professor) to have the gift of your voice amongst them. Grace to all of it.
Dissertating Advice - There were parts of the dissertation process that I loved and others that were quite challenging. Looking back on it all, my advice is just do something and ask for help when you need it. There are always tedious things like your title page, formatting, putting things in some sort of order, etc. These are things that don't require a lot of thought but must be done as part of the process. They take time but since they're the things you do when you're stuck, you have the time. I hate asking for help. Luckily I became part of a group that met regularly to talk about our progress and which things were holding us back. One of the "cool professors" joined us to help with technical questions. It looks like you're finding time for snacks and breaks! Lovely breaks! Get in touch if you find yourself needing a pep talk or some advice. I'll be thinking about you.
What a thought provoking message! I do need to ask myself what I am doing. But for today-distressed by political divisions, war, hunger, loved ones going through illness or relationship difficulties, I choose to take a walk and try to console myself with nature showing off her fall colors and the persistent changes in seasons despite what we humans are doing here on earth.
Romans 8:26-28 is how I pray today.
Thank you for your thoughtful words. Please keep sharing your writing, as a gardener I cannot wait to read your new book.
So with you!!! From the clouds to the dead theologians to the struggle for life in the Middle East and for the Euphorbia, to the KFC Simba Chips and especially in the joy on your face with bully. Thank you.
I’m moved by these questions. I’m at say the last 15 possible good years (I say possible for obvious reasons, anything can happen) and so much of my life is maintenance that I feel adrift sometimes, I feel so very lucky (see; the WORLD) and I ask what am I really doing. I’m able to find pockets of good in caring for other people and this essay amongst all its other riches helps me reframe my outlook in a more positive way. Thank you for your words, they are important, they do matter and they are doing!
I don’t remember exactly how or when I started reading your posts, but your words touched me enough that I started seeking you out. So much so that when I saw that you were at a church in Cary, I knew I had to go. My backstory is that I moved to Durham, NC four years ago during the pandemic to help care for my first grandchild. I left a church where I felt very loved. After my move, I have not found another church that filled my soul (I did start out in the pandemic). When I started reading your posts I felt that I had finally found what my heart needed. I loved hearing your thoughts on community when you were at Crosspointe. Thank you Jeff for sharing.
I’m so thankful you bravely wondered aloud ‘where the good news was for those people who didn’t need to be unsettled’. Evidently it was very needed. Eff that finger wagging.
Thank you, Jeff, for your thoughts on theology. The quote from Teresa Okure was spot on. I have been in a lay study group for the past almost four years: Education for Ministry, led by the Episcopal Church’s Sewanee School of the South. Most of the time it seems like there is nothing in the readings that helps with ministry. Yet, I think our Zoom meetings every two weeks are opportunities for ministry, to one another, which carries on outside the meeting time as well. Thank you, again, for your newsletter.
I’m very behind on reading your emails. As always, thank you! I love that the bully sat on your lap. 💗 and how do we get a free book😊?
I can relate to the “care too much what others think of my thoughts” camp so much!! From a recovering perfectionist/people pleaser.
A moment of grace: my husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for a while, and my hopes were dashed again today. Tonight, at a party with a group of new acquaintances, the topic of infertility came up with one of them, and she confided to me that she was actually 8 weeks pregnant after a long struggle. “I’m not telling people yet,” she said, but I wanted you to know. Keep trying! It can happen for you, too.” Exactly what I needed to hear, from a perfect stranger.
Today, at our nonprofit fundraiser, I found grace in the network of people who came together to support this work. We may not have raised all that much money, but I'm encouraged by the support all the same.
Thank you for your inspiring words and thoughts that move me to ask what am I doing as well. Many days I don't honestly know. I know I am alone most of the time, and very lonely. The world just isn't a safe place for me to be right now and I really need some grace. Whenever I read your words, I sense hope and compassion, and it gives me courage. Thank you for that.
I am grateful for you and Nadia both reflecting on Grace this week. I am currently a student as well, working in a Masters in Teaching. Grace is something I think I must learn to practice, both in relationship with God and with fellow humans of all ages and backgrounds as I begin the adventure of teaching. Oh, and also to myself. Who would have thought growing up hearing about grace all of the time (Lutheran) that I would struggle having grace for myself? 😑🙃
Questions that have guided my own musing "what kind of people do we want to be?" What kind of world do we want to live in?" are beautiful precursors to your question "What are we actually doing here?"..... a call to action in a broken world. I love thinking of you wandering in Stellenbosch where I so recently wandered. How lucky are they (even the finger wagging professor) to have the gift of your voice amongst them. Grace to all of it.
Dissertating Advice - There were parts of the dissertation process that I loved and others that were quite challenging. Looking back on it all, my advice is just do something and ask for help when you need it. There are always tedious things like your title page, formatting, putting things in some sort of order, etc. These are things that don't require a lot of thought but must be done as part of the process. They take time but since they're the things you do when you're stuck, you have the time. I hate asking for help. Luckily I became part of a group that met regularly to talk about our progress and which things were holding us back. One of the "cool professors" joined us to help with technical questions. It looks like you're finding time for snacks and breaks! Lovely breaks! Get in touch if you find yourself needing a pep talk or some advice. I'll be thinking about you.
What a thought provoking message! I do need to ask myself what I am doing. But for today-distressed by political divisions, war, hunger, loved ones going through illness or relationship difficulties, I choose to take a walk and try to console myself with nature showing off her fall colors and the persistent changes in seasons despite what we humans are doing here on earth.
Romans 8:26-28 is how I pray today.
Thank you for your thoughtful words. Please keep sharing your writing, as a gardener I cannot wait to read your new book.
So with you!!! From the clouds to the dead theologians to the struggle for life in the Middle East and for the Euphorbia, to the KFC Simba Chips and especially in the joy on your face with bully. Thank you.
I’m moved by these questions. I’m at say the last 15 possible good years (I say possible for obvious reasons, anything can happen) and so much of my life is maintenance that I feel adrift sometimes, I feel so very lucky (see; the WORLD) and I ask what am I really doing. I’m able to find pockets of good in caring for other people and this essay amongst all its other riches helps me reframe my outlook in a more positive way. Thank you for your words, they are important, they do matter and they are doing!