Great story and writing! It was meaningful to me, as I feel isolated & lost at times. Longing for general life to be what it was in younger days. But knowing the Good Shepherd is watching, caring, supplying needs, in I believe the last days, is comforting. Thanks!
Excellent story and use of scripture. The Ezekiel one is significant as I was guided to study that book by an uncle, and it's a challenge. I have winters off and I packed alot of things to accomplish this winter, and I literally have myself on a schedule for PT on my knee, daily swimming, reading various various books on health, God and enjoyment. But there still never seems to be enough hours in a day....
This lesson was timely for several reasons. You getting that headache and seeing that show was NOT a coincidence. Thank you, Jason.
I tend to roll my eyes when events are attributed to aliens or yetis or such (I still enjoy those kinds of stories, though), but the Dyatlov Pass Incident is so odd I can't help but think it was caused by a yeti or something like that!
I love those kinds of stories too though I don't really believe they're real. But something wild happened up on that mountain. I'm adding it to my list of things to ask God about.
I am excited to learn of your experience. And intrigued by the story you posted. I am sure that many readers will immediately jump to the Yeti or Extra-Terrestrial explanation. I am inclined to. Polar bears are not gourmets and I can't imagine any wild animal in the tundra eating eyeballs and tongues, while ignoring all the meat below them.
Two comments: You reference the Russians' desire for "collective achievements"; but, as many of us recall, the JFK administration and NASA went into overdrive to place men on the moon after Russian successes in the "space race".
But I think this is ONE discussion that needn't focus on politics. Remember Francis Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. Or Edmund Hillary or Robert Peary.
I love a good alien or Yeti story as much as the next person but I think stories like this usually have reasonable explanations no matter how far fetched it may seem. Not always, but usually.
My daughter and I were discussing this story this morning and she wanted to know why they would bother to do this hike in winter. I couldn't say with certainty, but what I told her is that some people just live for the challenge.
I suspect much of the neglect for those who have left our fellowships is rooted in our desire to avoid grief. If we reach out, they still may not come back. This "rejection" will hurt. We do not want to hurt. Therefore, it's easier for us to DO the rejecting (even if only passively/tacitly) rather than to BE the rejected.
Contrary to some of our assumptions, the way of meekness and love and is not the path for the weak. ONLY the strong can bear it, because only the strong can endure so much rejection. That's why Jesus had to blaze the way...and why we can only follow if we are tapped into His strength.
At least...that's the opinion of one random guy on Substack. :)
I think you're really on to something. I can definitely see the psychological element at play. I'm not certain, but I would guess this is probably one of the reasons that pastors and other leadership fail to reach out. The fear of rejection.
I think there are other elements at work as well. Generally speaking, people hate confrontation. There's also pride. It's just hard for some people to show that kind of love.
Like you said, you have to be strong to follow Christ's example.
What is it with these headaches! I have more than enough too. Actually have one now.
I wouldn't say I stepped away from a church I had been attending for 27 years:I was asking God to leave. After 5 years HE released me to another church. It is true often in larger churches it takes awhile before your absence is noticed. It is one thing to be a church attendee to never get involved and not really known but another thing if you have actively served. When I left the senior pastor never reached out. One of my good friends did and only then did the associate pastor call me. I would not have expected that call but he was clearly loved by the congregation, myself included. He gave me some excellent advice of making sure to get rooted quickly in wherever God placed me. That has not happened and I often believe because my initial spiritual family is where I made the most bonding. Many of those dear brothers and sisters have gone other places as well but when we do see each other, usually funerals now, we still feel that bond.
I'm sorry you suffer from headaches too. They're not much fun.
You maje an important point that I didn't really cover. Sometimes God does move people to other places, even other churches. However, that isn't an excuse for not reaching out especially if they didn't know why you left. I know it's hard for pastors because they have so much on their plate, but it's very important. It should at least be delegated.
I'm guessing that most preachers today stay away from Biblical teachings. Consider Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. Can you imagine a minister insulting and dressing down the newly elected president on his second day in office? More politics are being preached than anything else in the Laodicean churches and it may be best simply to study alone or with a small group of friends.
I'm unsure if it is "most" but it's certainly a large percentage. I'm OK with preachers taking a political stand insofar as it is backed by scripture. What happened with the president reeks of hubris and self-centeredness. It's been my experience that the larger the church, the less uncomfortable the teaching makes you. That's not a good thing. If your preconceived ideas are never challenged, you can never grow.
Here's some funny church trivia for you. My wife and I used to attend the huge First Baptist Church in Sevierville. One morning the preacher was quoting Hosea and used the word "heifers" to describe the congregation. That drove my wife bananas. We never returned.
Great story and writing! It was meaningful to me, as I feel isolated & lost at times. Longing for general life to be what it was in younger days. But knowing the Good Shepherd is watching, caring, supplying needs, in I believe the last days, is comforting. Thanks!
Excellent story and use of scripture. The Ezekiel one is significant as I was guided to study that book by an uncle, and it's a challenge. I have winters off and I packed alot of things to accomplish this winter, and I literally have myself on a schedule for PT on my knee, daily swimming, reading various various books on health, God and enjoyment. But there still never seems to be enough hours in a day....
I know what you mean! There's never enough hours.
Fascinating!!!
This lesson was timely for several reasons. You getting that headache and seeing that show was NOT a coincidence. Thank you, Jason.
I tend to roll my eyes when events are attributed to aliens or yetis or such (I still enjoy those kinds of stories, though), but the Dyatlov Pass Incident is so odd I can't help but think it was caused by a yeti or something like that!
I agree. It wasn't a coincidence.
I love those kinds of stories too though I don't really believe they're real. But something wild happened up on that mountain. I'm adding it to my list of things to ask God about.
Excellent!
Thank you, Sue!
I am excited to learn of your experience. And intrigued by the story you posted. I am sure that many readers will immediately jump to the Yeti or Extra-Terrestrial explanation. I am inclined to. Polar bears are not gourmets and I can't imagine any wild animal in the tundra eating eyeballs and tongues, while ignoring all the meat below them.
Two comments: You reference the Russians' desire for "collective achievements"; but, as many of us recall, the JFK administration and NASA went into overdrive to place men on the moon after Russian successes in the "space race".
But I think this is ONE discussion that needn't focus on politics. Remember Francis Scobee, Michael Smith, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Judith Resnik, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. Or Edmund Hillary or Robert Peary.
Some people simply love challenges.
I love a good alien or Yeti story as much as the next person but I think stories like this usually have reasonable explanations no matter how far fetched it may seem. Not always, but usually.
My daughter and I were discussing this story this morning and she wanted to know why they would bother to do this hike in winter. I couldn't say with certainty, but what I told her is that some people just live for the challenge.
I suspect much of the neglect for those who have left our fellowships is rooted in our desire to avoid grief. If we reach out, they still may not come back. This "rejection" will hurt. We do not want to hurt. Therefore, it's easier for us to DO the rejecting (even if only passively/tacitly) rather than to BE the rejected.
Contrary to some of our assumptions, the way of meekness and love and is not the path for the weak. ONLY the strong can bear it, because only the strong can endure so much rejection. That's why Jesus had to blaze the way...and why we can only follow if we are tapped into His strength.
At least...that's the opinion of one random guy on Substack. :)
I think you're really on to something. I can definitely see the psychological element at play. I'm not certain, but I would guess this is probably one of the reasons that pastors and other leadership fail to reach out. The fear of rejection.
I think there are other elements at work as well. Generally speaking, people hate confrontation. There's also pride. It's just hard for some people to show that kind of love.
Like you said, you have to be strong to follow Christ's example.
What is it with these headaches! I have more than enough too. Actually have one now.
I wouldn't say I stepped away from a church I had been attending for 27 years:I was asking God to leave. After 5 years HE released me to another church. It is true often in larger churches it takes awhile before your absence is noticed. It is one thing to be a church attendee to never get involved and not really known but another thing if you have actively served. When I left the senior pastor never reached out. One of my good friends did and only then did the associate pastor call me. I would not have expected that call but he was clearly loved by the congregation, myself included. He gave me some excellent advice of making sure to get rooted quickly in wherever God placed me. That has not happened and I often believe because my initial spiritual family is where I made the most bonding. Many of those dear brothers and sisters have gone other places as well but when we do see each other, usually funerals now, we still feel that bond.
I'm sorry you suffer from headaches too. They're not much fun.
You maje an important point that I didn't really cover. Sometimes God does move people to other places, even other churches. However, that isn't an excuse for not reaching out especially if they didn't know why you left. I know it's hard for pastors because they have so much on their plate, but it's very important. It should at least be delegated.
I'm guessing that most preachers today stay away from Biblical teachings. Consider Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde. Can you imagine a minister insulting and dressing down the newly elected president on his second day in office? More politics are being preached than anything else in the Laodicean churches and it may be best simply to study alone or with a small group of friends.
I'm unsure if it is "most" but it's certainly a large percentage. I'm OK with preachers taking a political stand insofar as it is backed by scripture. What happened with the president reeks of hubris and self-centeredness. It's been my experience that the larger the church, the less uncomfortable the teaching makes you. That's not a good thing. If your preconceived ideas are never challenged, you can never grow.
Hosea 4:16
Here's some funny church trivia for you. My wife and I used to attend the huge First Baptist Church in Sevierville. One morning the preacher was quoting Hosea and used the word "heifers" to describe the congregation. That drove my wife bananas. We never returned.
😂😂😂
I agree. I can be just as guilty though of not noticing when someone isn't seen for awhile.