Well after being on your “free” list up until now, this post finally pushed me over the edge to paid subscriber because I felt so SEEN. I felt I can trust the theology of this one. ❤️ Politically and denominationally homeless is exactly where I’ve been living and it’s lonely and I miss the church even though I am — like you — very happily oriented around Jesus
I too was changed by a trip to Israel. I went there with 6 others to bring a mini-women’s conference of encouragement to believers living in Bethlehem. We walked the streets of Jericho passing out CD’s containing Christian music and teachings from Pastor Steven Khoury, who along with his father leads the church in Bethlehem and Jerusalem we partnered with (look him up-he’s passionate for Christ). We weathered attacks from the enemy the whole trip including being harassed and threatened by the Palestinians Authority.
Coming home from that trip I became the Women’s Ministry leader at my church for four years. “My church” was a plant from a large Chicago area church org that tumbled when its lead pastor fell in a highly public event. We became a church plant when our own church imploded when it’s pastor stepped down and the remaining elders walked away.
We’ve seen God at work in-spite of the flawed humans involved, including ourselves. We’ve seen many people come and go during these times. We have fought the enemy who tried to isolate us from church many times. We’ve had seasons of serving in the Spirit and serving in our own efforts. As husband and wife those seasons haven’t always been in sync which requires much grace and prayer. Thru it all, we’ve stayed tethered to the vine, committed to Christ and his church are very thankful for every experience to lean on Him.
LOVE your sketch on re-orienting your life around Jesus. I too am on a similar journey - Through a program on Spiritual Direction, Jesus is becoming central for me again. Or maybe for the first time I am grieved to say. But what a gift it is to know His love and help others along the way ❤️
Very interesting...I feel the same way about my relationship with the church and Jesus as you...what it used to be...and how it is now...
Well after being on your “free” list up until now, this post finally pushed me over the edge to paid subscriber because I felt so SEEN. I felt I can trust the theology of this one. ❤️ Politically and denominationally homeless is exactly where I’ve been living and it’s lonely and I miss the church even though I am — like you — very happily oriented around Jesus
Love this, Lore!
I too was changed by a trip to Israel. I went there with 6 others to bring a mini-women’s conference of encouragement to believers living in Bethlehem. We walked the streets of Jericho passing out CD’s containing Christian music and teachings from Pastor Steven Khoury, who along with his father leads the church in Bethlehem and Jerusalem we partnered with (look him up-he’s passionate for Christ). We weathered attacks from the enemy the whole trip including being harassed and threatened by the Palestinians Authority.
Coming home from that trip I became the Women’s Ministry leader at my church for four years. “My church” was a plant from a large Chicago area church org that tumbled when its lead pastor fell in a highly public event. We became a church plant when our own church imploded when it’s pastor stepped down and the remaining elders walked away.
We’ve seen God at work in-spite of the flawed humans involved, including ourselves. We’ve seen many people come and go during these times. We have fought the enemy who tried to isolate us from church many times. We’ve had seasons of serving in the Spirit and serving in our own efforts. As husband and wife those seasons haven’t always been in sync which requires much grace and prayer. Thru it all, we’ve stayed tethered to the vine, committed to Christ and his church are very thankful for every experience to lean on Him.
So good to read this! It came at the perfect time!
How I'd love to go to Israel! Unfortunately, it is waaaay past my budget.
But I am so looking forward to all the writings that will follow your trip :)
LOVE your sketch on re-orienting your life around Jesus. I too am on a similar journey - Through a program on Spiritual Direction, Jesus is becoming central for me again. Or maybe for the first time I am grieved to say. But what a gift it is to know His love and help others along the way ❤️
maybe
Great article. I read it with inexpressible interest, your story impressed me.