Sara, if I could whistle through my teeth in wonder, I would. I am going to be carrying these words with me the next few days, marinating in them. Thank you so much, for time and again, putting words to the swirling angst I feel about being a Christian in this time and place.
Something I do now is differentiate between the words "Christian" and "Evangelical". Those are not synonyms, although those of us raised Evangelical learned them that way. It is becoming more and more clear to everyone that this particular flavor of Christianity is not reflective of Jesus. If it's not actual Good News, the actual message of Christ, it is a false gospel. And when even non-Christians can see and call out the difference, things have gotten bad. Great article. Have been sad lately about being a "refugee". It's lonely. But man. Jesus. He's just amazing. Thanks for your writing.
So true Sara! Especially love this courageous call you shared: “Here is one thing I learned from that spiritual desert: If you distance yourself from Christianity because of the broken culture around it but still try to believe, your faith is in danger of becoming unanchored, and along the way, you may let go of a beautiful, life-giving thing.”
Stuck here in Middle America shaking my head at what our nation has become…have relatives who keep drinking the T poison, and I do.not. get. it. At all. I’m a Christ follower, and have long felt I was “outside” the circle. So many dichotomies in the church body. And the “evil one”, whether he is called Satan, Lucifer, or the devil, is having a hey day with all of it.
Thank you! I needed to hear that I’m not the only one trying to live this “fourth way”. I live on the East Coast but feel such solidarity with you and your feelings. Those questions will be ones I ponder as I, too, cling to God’s faithfulness and providential work in our country.
THANK YOU for this. You’ve so beautifully articulated my own angst and managing. I’m also grateful for Drew’s optimism and reality checks when I also feel the compulsion to check out or give in. Thanks again for sharing this.
I felt like I was sitting at your kitchen table with you Sara, nodding along. Thank you. A friend of mine recently brought back from Assisi for me a necklace w/ the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet on it (Tov). I learned that Francis used that as a sign of a Christian instead of the cross because well, the Crusades. I've been thinking about that alot...God, the ending of all things in Him. The cross is in there too, and so is the resurrection. ❤️
“God’s hesed is for all of us.” Did you mean chesed? That’s all I could find when I looked it up. Hebrew word meaning kindness and love between people.
Great article. I’m Canadian. I pray for your country.
Sara, if I could whistle through my teeth in wonder, I would. I am going to be carrying these words with me the next few days, marinating in them. Thank you so much, for time and again, putting words to the swirling angst I feel about being a Christian in this time and place.
Something I do now is differentiate between the words "Christian" and "Evangelical". Those are not synonyms, although those of us raised Evangelical learned them that way. It is becoming more and more clear to everyone that this particular flavor of Christianity is not reflective of Jesus. If it's not actual Good News, the actual message of Christ, it is a false gospel. And when even non-Christians can see and call out the difference, things have gotten bad. Great article. Have been sad lately about being a "refugee". It's lonely. But man. Jesus. He's just amazing. Thanks for your writing.
Sara Billups fan for life. Slow clapping from the Wilbert household, friend.
So true Sara! Especially love this courageous call you shared: “Here is one thing I learned from that spiritual desert: If you distance yourself from Christianity because of the broken culture around it but still try to believe, your faith is in danger of becoming unanchored, and along the way, you may let go of a beautiful, life-giving thing.”
Stuck here in Middle America shaking my head at what our nation has become…have relatives who keep drinking the T poison, and I do.not. get. it. At all. I’m a Christ follower, and have long felt I was “outside” the circle. So many dichotomies in the church body. And the “evil one”, whether he is called Satan, Lucifer, or the devil, is having a hey day with all of it.
But reading this I am home. Thank you.
I’m saving this and reading it again and again when I feel tired and discouraged. Thank you’ve— and cheers from a bit south of you in Tacoma.
Thank you! I needed to hear that I’m not the only one trying to live this “fourth way”. I live on the East Coast but feel such solidarity with you and your feelings. Those questions will be ones I ponder as I, too, cling to God’s faithfulness and providential work in our country.
THANK YOU for this. You’ve so beautifully articulated my own angst and managing. I’m also grateful for Drew’s optimism and reality checks when I also feel the compulsion to check out or give in. Thanks again for sharing this.
I felt like I was sitting at your kitchen table with you Sara, nodding along. Thank you. A friend of mine recently brought back from Assisi for me a necklace w/ the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet on it (Tov). I learned that Francis used that as a sign of a Christian instead of the cross because well, the Crusades. I've been thinking about that alot...God, the ending of all things in Him. The cross is in there too, and so is the resurrection. ❤️
Sara,
“God’s hesed is for all of us.” Did you mean chesed? That’s all I could find when I looked it up. Hebrew word meaning kindness and love between people.
Great article. I’m Canadian. I pray for your country.
Blessings
Jan
I’m a Jesus follower. That’s it.
your words are keeping me tethered to wisdom and hope
Thank you for putting words to this crisis.
Thank you for your words
Dear God I didn’t know how much I needed to hear this. I’m so grateful people, like you, art.
Hold fast and live faithfully...Very well said.