Some fragmented thoughts on the writer's invitation to surrender, threshold existence, irises, seedlings, a song of solidarity, and a boundary that needed to be set
I’ve just finished your book and as an avid gardener I was delighted with farm and compost stories! But what made me cry several times was the beauty of your vulnerability and the sensitivity of your spirituality! Thanks for sharing deeply from your spirit!
I began turning my compost while reading the book. I have harvested a few small tomatoes. I feel hope hearing that even at farminary there are failed plantings. I cried at the liss of Rachel(i am a big fan) thank you for sharing
Please say a prayer for my niece KM. She is a lovely young woman who has found her person. Unfortunately her person is also a lovely young woman which is not acceptable to my very very roman catholic brother and wife. I am just stunned at their response and heartbroken for my niece.
I came to the book signing in Richmond , Va. I live in Va. Bch. VA. I loved the talk beforehand and the book itself. I am a professional compost maker and I love the theology of compost idea. I included it in a talk I did. I am wondering you consider coming down for a sermon at a little church I attend sometimes and a book signing at Prince books in Norfolk. I will have to check on both if you are interested.
I don't know! The words "Princeton Theological Seminary" show up prominently in the synopsis, which to me suggests there might be some discussion of faith....
My irises are also beautiful this year! I just finished reading your book and signed up for your ‘Notes of a Make Believe Farmer.’ I have lived in NJ all my
life and completed a post-doc and later sabbatical at Princeton Univ. So I wanted to read about your time at Princeton seminary and was surprised to learn about the Farminary. It sounds like a wonderful addition for those who avail themselves.
There was just the right amount of ‘God talk’ as I could connect with both the strictness/non acceptance of your life choices and your need to accept love from others, especially God. I enjoyed your writing style and felt connected with you. Thanks for sharing your life.
Your irises *are* beautiful. Ours seemed a bit extra this year, too. Same with the roses. In my garden I am battling bind weed and bermuda grass at the moment. Bermuda grass is the official plant of the suburbs. Blerg.
Good for you setting boundaries. And the text format for questions is brilliant!
I am in Houston, so my garden has been up and running for a couple of months. I’m really mad, though, at squirrels. My first ever (since leaving Indiana) large tomatoes, have been stolen and eaten with audacity in my very own backyard, in clear view of our dining table. Some kinds of anger are good and healthy, right?
You asked what people have been planting. I’m not a plant gardener, but I do my best to plant good books in the reading gardens of others. An ordained Presbyterian, I facilitate a weekly book group for a group of progressive Baptists at their church which is affiliated with the Alliance for Baptists. When I offered three options for their next title, they very wisely went with Good Soil…and just getting started, they’re already in love. One woman followed your fried rice recipe and took photos of each step along the way. Though I’d known about you since your early days with Evolving Faith, I only (finally) heard you speak in person at our APCE Annual Event in Memphis in late January this year. Your use of excellent educational practices, along with your skill in using the English language (not all journalists succeed as books authors), made this Christian educator’s heart very happy. And thank you for finding one of the good Texans in your Tristan—there are a number of us still around in this state, despite our incredibly awful state government ‘leaders.’ Thank you especially for speaking your truth—in all its depth and complexity and pain and joys—in a world where truth can be so difficult to come by. I hope you’ll keep writing, as the Spirit leads.
I finished your book just last weekend. I am a full time working mom with three busy kids and a lovely husband but I knocked it out in one day (pretty proud of myself). My husband returned to seminary in his mid 30s and many of your conversations with Tristan reminded me of ones we had (my husband is a total city boy too). Last summer my husband was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and had to stop his ministry job the year prior, so our lives took some very unexpected turns over the past few years. Additionally, last summer, I reconnected with one of my very oldest and best friends who started ghosting me in our early 20s because he assumed that us christians had no room for him and his boyfriend/husband anymore. Starting up this friendship again at a time that my home life was falling apart was the best thing to happen to me last year (and that counts my fabulous kids and all of their sticky kisses). I’m thankful for this book, Jeff Chu. I’m thankful for your heart.
Absolutely love all the pictures of irises! I've been very late getting seeds in the ground and I may not actually grow tomatoes this year, but all my perennial crops are ripening (strawberries, raspberries, mulberries, cherries, apples, herbs).
This was also a reminder to go post a review of your beautiful book! I made a GoodReads account just to post one, although I have to actually remember my Amazon password to post there, lol. I can't imagine reading the good, bad, and ugly of reviews— bravo to you.
I recently finished your book. I enjoyed listening to the audio version! What a gift it has been. It’s taken me down some Georgia red clay roads of my own heritage that needed to be looked at. So thank you for leading me there.
Here in south Florida my veggie garden is just finishing up. Time for cover crops until September!
Would you consider a tour in Florida?
I'm willing to consider anything and anywhere. Here's the reality I've encountered: Publishers don't pay for touring unless you're, say, John Green or someone else of great fame, so it's only with the support of congregations, bookstores, and venues that I can make it happen. If you'd like to host, here's the form to express interest: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeGmuxwbDQJwHtyeEhpvGpnQXf_-3zmRrDb2v5aTsLm96QZw/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawFzewVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHR5HExvsyR_5wo3u0KvH4eMd0wifGS4Y66_Ehf2euSm02QeGJKRax2lqmg_aem_4YN7-GbTYx3T8JWiAVjpQg
Thanks for your reply! I really wanted to go but nowhere has been close to me. Appreciate your work.
I’ve just finished your book and as an avid gardener I was delighted with farm and compost stories! But what made me cry several times was the beauty of your vulnerability and the sensitivity of your spirituality! Thanks for sharing deeply from your spirit!
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I began turning my compost while reading the book. I have harvested a few small tomatoes. I feel hope hearing that even at farminary there are failed plantings. I cried at the liss of Rachel(i am a big fan) thank you for sharing
Please say a prayer for my niece KM. She is a lovely young woman who has found her person. Unfortunately her person is also a lovely young woman which is not acceptable to my very very roman catholic brother and wife. I am just stunned at their response and heartbroken for my niece.
Thank you,
Ann
Ah, that is so hard. They will all be in my prayers.
You are so kind, thank you.
I came to the book signing in Richmond , Va. I live in Va. Bch. VA. I loved the talk beforehand and the book itself. I am a professional compost maker and I love the theology of compost idea. I included it in a talk I did. I am wondering you consider coming down for a sermon at a little church I attend sometimes and a book signing at Prince books in Norfolk. I will have to check on both if you are interested.
It was good to meet you in Richmond. I very much appreciate that you drove all the way there from Virginia Beach.
I always consider every reasonable invitation. All speaking/preaching requests can be sent to booking@makebelievefarmer.com. Thanks.
I loved this Jeff and you sound so open and grounded as you wrote about how you read the reviews. Wow. What a spiritual practice!
Thank you for sharing too how you are making a boundary. I’m glad you’re asking for what you want.
“Too much God talk.” Whatever were they expecting?
I don't know! The words "Princeton Theological Seminary" show up prominently in the synopsis, which to me suggests there might be some discussion of faith....
Always a joy!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us!! Keep up the great work, and blessings to you and Tristan!!
My irises are also beautiful this year! I just finished reading your book and signed up for your ‘Notes of a Make Believe Farmer.’ I have lived in NJ all my
life and completed a post-doc and later sabbatical at Princeton Univ. So I wanted to read about your time at Princeton seminary and was surprised to learn about the Farminary. It sounds like a wonderful addition for those who avail themselves.
There was just the right amount of ‘God talk’ as I could connect with both the strictness/non acceptance of your life choices and your need to accept love from others, especially God. I enjoyed your writing style and felt connected with you. Thanks for sharing your life.
Your irises *are* beautiful. Ours seemed a bit extra this year, too. Same with the roses. In my garden I am battling bind weed and bermuda grass at the moment. Bermuda grass is the official plant of the suburbs. Blerg.
Good for you setting boundaries. And the text format for questions is brilliant!
Bindweed is a constant problem in my community-garden plot. I send you my solidarity!
I am in Houston, so my garden has been up and running for a couple of months. I’m really mad, though, at squirrels. My first ever (since leaving Indiana) large tomatoes, have been stolen and eaten with audacity in my very own backyard, in clear view of our dining table. Some kinds of anger are good and healthy, right?
How frustrating! I bet the squirrels really enjoyed them.
You asked what people have been planting. I’m not a plant gardener, but I do my best to plant good books in the reading gardens of others. An ordained Presbyterian, I facilitate a weekly book group for a group of progressive Baptists at their church which is affiliated with the Alliance for Baptists. When I offered three options for their next title, they very wisely went with Good Soil…and just getting started, they’re already in love. One woman followed your fried rice recipe and took photos of each step along the way. Though I’d known about you since your early days with Evolving Faith, I only (finally) heard you speak in person at our APCE Annual Event in Memphis in late January this year. Your use of excellent educational practices, along with your skill in using the English language (not all journalists succeed as books authors), made this Christian educator’s heart very happy. And thank you for finding one of the good Texans in your Tristan—there are a number of us still around in this state, despite our incredibly awful state government ‘leaders.’ Thank you especially for speaking your truth—in all its depth and complexity and pain and joys—in a world where truth can be so difficult to come by. I hope you’ll keep writing, as the Spirit leads.
Arizona in the fall! I will keep my eyes open for that info.
I finished your book just last weekend. I am a full time working mom with three busy kids and a lovely husband but I knocked it out in one day (pretty proud of myself). My husband returned to seminary in his mid 30s and many of your conversations with Tristan reminded me of ones we had (my husband is a total city boy too). Last summer my husband was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and had to stop his ministry job the year prior, so our lives took some very unexpected turns over the past few years. Additionally, last summer, I reconnected with one of my very oldest and best friends who started ghosting me in our early 20s because he assumed that us christians had no room for him and his boyfriend/husband anymore. Starting up this friendship again at a time that my home life was falling apart was the best thing to happen to me last year (and that counts my fabulous kids and all of their sticky kisses). I’m thankful for this book, Jeff Chu. I’m thankful for your heart.
Absolutely love all the pictures of irises! I've been very late getting seeds in the ground and I may not actually grow tomatoes this year, but all my perennial crops are ripening (strawberries, raspberries, mulberries, cherries, apples, herbs).
This was also a reminder to go post a review of your beautiful book! I made a GoodReads account just to post one, although I have to actually remember my Amazon password to post there, lol. I can't imagine reading the good, bad, and ugly of reviews— bravo to you.
I recently finished your book. I enjoyed listening to the audio version! What a gift it has been. It’s taken me down some Georgia red clay roads of my own heritage that needed to be looked at. So thank you for leading me there.
Here in south Florida my veggie garden is just finishing up. Time for cover crops until September!