This is so healing for me. When I first came across your newsletter, I read some things that strikes the Christianity I had come to know growing up as a Nigerian international missions kid in a majority white international school. I was worried I wouldn't connect. However, the God I've come to know stopped me from blocking out a perspective I am not used to. He told me (I believe and am paraphrasing a bit) Lois, don't be so quick to block something that can help you, even if it's different from what you are used to. Then as I have been reading week after week staying on and connecting with your words has been an incredibly healing process for me. So thank you. Truly God is not to be boxed up by human behavior and interpretations, God shows Himself in new ways and surprises me all the time. One thing is for sure, despite all the pain, questions and gaps in this life, love is the signal that rings most true about the God I've come to know. About the Jesus I love and who loves me.
Robert, this so resonates with me as I shift from a paradigm of apologist-level certainty of definitions to a humbled, curious, sometimes raging, sometimes ecstatic walker with God. So many people are getting hurt out here, run over by the certainty (whether in belief or unbelief) of others.
This one really hit home for me, especially the part about somehow still being here with God. It’s been a year of probing even deeper into my questions about God and Christianity, and sometimes it feels like my faith is leaving without my consent, but somehow I’m still here with God.
It really can be so lonely. I’ve appreciated finding people in similar spots online who I can talk to because it can be hard to find people who understand/can empathize.
Thank you for your honesty about the God you’ve come to know. I’m learning too. I’m a 66 year old white woman. Like you said, each decade I learn more. From a young age I sensed God in and around me. I found he was at church, but not always. He was more in certain people, and not others as much. Sometimes God spoke through others, at other times, folks claimed to be speaking for God, but weren’t really. After a couple of church decades, I realized my church experience seemed more about doing than being. Yet it seemed God wanted me to be...quiet, questioning, wondering, working. Working not on doing, but being. Being in relationship with HIM/HER. So I keep learning. It seems GOD wants me to know just how inclusive THEY are. 🥰. I want to keep unlearning and learning and developing an honest relationship with this God who understands the mess of me and hugs me anyway.
May we all keep learning and building in relationship with the CREATORS.
Hello, Linda! We share the same age, color, gender, love of God, love of unlearning and learning, and love of Robert! I love the diversity we embrace in our journeys as we discern our paths in following God. Shalom soul sister! Glad we met in Robert’s wise words!
how can anyone really know anyone’s personal relationship with GOD, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT. It’s personal, sometimes indescribable, and other times unbelievably believable. Thanks for sharing, will add podcast to my list as well.
Just had to subscribe after reading this. You have a beautiful soul, and I appreciate your gentle way of expressing your faith! I found Peace in your words!
Having people assume conservatism and bigotry the minute you say you're a Christian is so wearying. I feel I either have to immediately qualify the statement by distancing myself from the evangelical right or try to find another way of saying it but I have yet to find a form of words that does this succinctly. Thank you for your writing.
This is so healing for me. When I first came across your newsletter, I read some things that strikes the Christianity I had come to know growing up as a Nigerian international missions kid in a majority white international school. I was worried I wouldn't connect. However, the God I've come to know stopped me from blocking out a perspective I am not used to. He told me (I believe and am paraphrasing a bit) Lois, don't be so quick to block something that can help you, even if it's different from what you are used to. Then as I have been reading week after week staying on and connecting with your words has been an incredibly healing process for me. So thank you. Truly God is not to be boxed up by human behavior and interpretations, God shows Himself in new ways and surprises me all the time. One thing is for sure, despite all the pain, questions and gaps in this life, love is the signal that rings most true about the God I've come to know. About the Jesus I love and who loves me.
Wow thank you for sharing this. It’s touching
Robert, this so resonates with me as I shift from a paradigm of apologist-level certainty of definitions to a humbled, curious, sometimes raging, sometimes ecstatic walker with God. So many people are getting hurt out here, run over by the certainty (whether in belief or unbelief) of others.
Yes that apologist mindset had me so turned around friend.
"Walker with God" that is it!
This one really hit home for me, especially the part about somehow still being here with God. It’s been a year of probing even deeper into my questions about God and Christianity, and sometimes it feels like my faith is leaving without my consent, but somehow I’m still here with God.
♥️ I hear you
I feel this so much. I am a member of a church, but I have not attended in over a year. I am re-examining everything. It's lonely work.
It really can be so lonely. I’ve appreciated finding people in similar spots online who I can talk to because it can be hard to find people who understand/can empathize.
Same.
I wish more people could sit in this phrase “I am still learning what God is like.” Heck, I could live there for awhile.
Yes friend you’re right. I don’t know God as much as I would like. I don’t have certainty.
Thanks for inviting us to reflect on this post again, Robert. I am still sitting with "I am still learning what God is like."
Also, this post reads like you talk...and that in itself is so deeply valuable
That phrase “the God I’ve come to know” is so beautifully intimate.
Aww thanks. It’s been a healing name for me
Thank you for your honesty about the God you’ve come to know. I’m learning too. I’m a 66 year old white woman. Like you said, each decade I learn more. From a young age I sensed God in and around me. I found he was at church, but not always. He was more in certain people, and not others as much. Sometimes God spoke through others, at other times, folks claimed to be speaking for God, but weren’t really. After a couple of church decades, I realized my church experience seemed more about doing than being. Yet it seemed God wanted me to be...quiet, questioning, wondering, working. Working not on doing, but being. Being in relationship with HIM/HER. So I keep learning. It seems GOD wants me to know just how inclusive THEY are. 🥰. I want to keep unlearning and learning and developing an honest relationship with this God who understands the mess of me and hugs me anyway.
May we all keep learning and building in relationship with the CREATORS.
Hello, Linda! We share the same age, color, gender, love of God, love of unlearning and learning, and love of Robert! I love the diversity we embrace in our journeys as we discern our paths in following God. Shalom soul sister! Glad we met in Robert’s wise words!
Thank you for sharing openly
That’s beautiful
how can anyone really know anyone’s personal relationship with GOD, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT. It’s personal, sometimes indescribable, and other times unbelievably believable. Thanks for sharing, will add podcast to my list as well.
Thank you for this comment
“I’m still here with God.” Love that. Thank you Robert.
Just had to subscribe after reading this. You have a beautiful soul, and I appreciate your gentle way of expressing your faith! I found Peace in your words!
Oh wow thank you 🙏🏾
thank you for this Robert 🖤✨ resonates deeply.
Wow thank you ☺️
Thank you for giving me words to understand my experience better.
I absolutely love your phrase “the God I’ve come to know”.
This post is a gift 💝
Well it matches because *you* are a gift
🥹
Having people assume conservatism and bigotry the minute you say you're a Christian is so wearying. I feel I either have to immediately qualify the statement by distancing myself from the evangelical right or try to find another way of saying it but I have yet to find a form of words that does this succinctly. Thank you for your writing.
It is wearying indeed ♥️