Thank you both for having this important conversation. Conversations like these invite listeners to clarify their own stances. There are things that I personally notice via my senses and things that are delivered via the heart sense (AS WELL as the invaluable potential for learning and connecting that can only be learned via the experiences of others.) Compassionate, empathetic listening makes room for both/and. The invitation to “still process” is gift.
I watched this video late last night and woke up thinking about it this morning. I truly care for you, Josh. Rodger and I have supported you and prayed for you as you have advocated desperately for Palestinians in Israel and Gaza. Thank you for every step you walked in Israel. Thank you for the hours you put into the documentary you created about the reality for the Palestinians there. Thank you for the time and work you have put into meeting with people in the Still Processing format. It breaks my heart to see and hear how tired and angry you are and how betrayed you are feeling by the Church and your Christian faith. As a mother of sons and step-sons around your age, I just want to hold you up to the God you no longer believe in, because I do.... and I believe God knows your heart and soul and weeps with you over this beautiful world and humanity. Yes, the church of today has failed in many ways, and yes, there have been many bad Shepherds (Jeremiah 23) and lazy, self-serving congregations, who have taken the Lord's Name in vain. Our government is corrupt and their cruelty and self-serving power grabs are doing tremendous damage to our country and its land and people. Yet, still, there are many people, courageously doing acts of kindness and courage every day, believing that this is what they can offer right now...contributing to a power of good even in the face of evil. My only advice to you, Josh, is to retreat somewhere, to a place of quiet and nature and maybe work with your hands for awhile. One place I have had experience with is The Hermitage in Three Rivers, MI (www.hermitagecommunity.org). I don't know the answers for you and won't pretend that I do. I do have a lot of respect for the 12-Steps though, so will end this with the wisdom of those first 3 steps: 1. We admitted we were powerless over..... 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Thank you both for having this important conversation. Conversations like these invite listeners to clarify their own stances. There are things that I personally notice via my senses and things that are delivered via the heart sense (AS WELL as the invaluable potential for learning and connecting that can only be learned via the experiences of others.) Compassionate, empathetic listening makes room for both/and. The invitation to “still process” is gift.
I watched this video late last night and woke up thinking about it this morning. I truly care for you, Josh. Rodger and I have supported you and prayed for you as you have advocated desperately for Palestinians in Israel and Gaza. Thank you for every step you walked in Israel. Thank you for the hours you put into the documentary you created about the reality for the Palestinians there. Thank you for the time and work you have put into meeting with people in the Still Processing format. It breaks my heart to see and hear how tired and angry you are and how betrayed you are feeling by the Church and your Christian faith. As a mother of sons and step-sons around your age, I just want to hold you up to the God you no longer believe in, because I do.... and I believe God knows your heart and soul and weeps with you over this beautiful world and humanity. Yes, the church of today has failed in many ways, and yes, there have been many bad Shepherds (Jeremiah 23) and lazy, self-serving congregations, who have taken the Lord's Name in vain. Our government is corrupt and their cruelty and self-serving power grabs are doing tremendous damage to our country and its land and people. Yet, still, there are many people, courageously doing acts of kindness and courage every day, believing that this is what they can offer right now...contributing to a power of good even in the face of evil. My only advice to you, Josh, is to retreat somewhere, to a place of quiet and nature and maybe work with your hands for awhile. One place I have had experience with is The Hermitage in Three Rivers, MI (www.hermitagecommunity.org). I don't know the answers for you and won't pretend that I do. I do have a lot of respect for the 12-Steps though, so will end this with the wisdom of those first 3 steps: 1. We admitted we were powerless over..... 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Rodger and I will be praying for you, Josh.
Judy Storteboom
Thank you for your heartfelt discussion. I’m struggling with all of this as well.