#Rethink - October 2020
#Rethink - October 2020
Hello October! In this month's newsletter we are pondering being chased by God, questioning the purpose of marriage, and contemplating simple joys.
What if God is actively chasing us?
The other night I watched the Holy Spirit move in an almost freakish way. To the point where it gave us tingles and one of the girls in my college small group exclaimed, "Wow, God was totally here tonight!"
Only God can pursue our hearts to the point where the things of this world no longer satisfy and we give up. Only God chases us in a way that makes us willing to do crazy things like drive almost two hours to join a small group of people we don't really know. And only God can orchestrate the perfect testimony from a peer -- one we resonate with in such a way that we come to Jesus ourselves.
I sat there as this happened last week and it made me want to clap, cry, and shout hallelujahs at the same time.
What if God is intentionally chasing us?
Could His love truly be relentless?
If we just stop running will His Presence sweep over us and knock us to the ground?
I want to be knocked over by the Holy Spirit. I'm tired of trying to do life by myself. How about you?
"Jesus is worth it...Jesus is worth cultivating your version of an impossible marriage to mirror the marriage of Christ and his church.”
Laurie Krieg, An Impossible Marriage
"Have you ever read a marriage book that just made you love Jesus more? And then because you love Jesus, you want to go love your spouse?
No? Me either. Until this one.
I cried. I laughed. And when I finished the book I just sat there and worshiped God."
This is the review I wrote on social media after having the privilege of reading an advanced copy of An Impossible Marriage: What Our Mixed Orientation Marriage has Taught Us about Love and the Gospel. This book is like nothing I've ever read before. Filled with raw vulnerability and beautiful grace, Laurie & Matt Krieg share the story of their impossible marriage. A story of same sex attraction, addiction, and trauma, but also of unconditional love, healing, and hope. Laurie & Matt don't shy away from difficult or awkward topics. They boldly dive right in. And then they point us all to Jesus who is coming to marry us.
This isn't a book that fits into a neat little box. It's messy and edgy, and it will probably leave you asking questions. Questions like: What if marriage isn't what we think it is? What if the world and even Christianese have it wrong? What if marriage is a divine metaphor? And does God really do that?"
An Impossible Marriage comes out on October 27th but you can preorder on Amazon or Laurie's website. Trust me, even if you aren't married, you want to read this book!
I'm choosing to pursue the simple things that bring me joy.
In May we decided to sell our little house where my babies grew up. We moved into my mother-in-law's temporarily while we looked for a new house. I thought it was going to be a quick month or two. But three months later we are still living with my mother-in-law waiting out the insanity that is the current housing market in our area. I never thought that my life would look like this. That being homeless would be a thing that stretched into an unknown timetable.
Even though living together has been a good experience, there was still underlying stress and sadness that I didn’t even recognize until recently. So, here in the uncomfortable places I’m learning to pursue the simple things that bring me joy.
For instance, I decorated the front porch for fall. I LOVE fall because of the colors so seeing them in full display makes me smile every time I come “home.” And I replanted my little spikey plant in a new pretty pot. Who knew that I would love indoor plants so much? Not me! Or that my plants would love living with my mother-in-law so much?! They are bigger and greener than ever.
I’m not always great at self-care, but I’m learning. What simple joys are you pursuing in this crazy season of life?
Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.
If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
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