Can't wait for part 2! I really appreciate your focus on love. Pastor Francis Chan said a quote that has stuck with me when I get caught up in the noise of life.
Chan said, "We are here to love (God, others, and self), not much else matters."
When I really think about it, isn't this truly the answer? If not, what are we doing here anyways? 😉
Thank you so much. I agree with you 100%. As I've gotten older, I see that much more clearly. Especially with a hurting world that is desperately seeking it.
Thank you for this intimate write, introducing me to a new word—numinous, and reinvigorating the fact that pain and suffering are not proof of God’s absence, but instead signs of His existence.
Thank you so much. Hopefully I can really explain Lewis journey and how his reasoning about the numinous brought him into theism. I've really had to put on my thinking cap.
I believe God is in everything! There are many forms of direct encounters we can have with the divine and agree that the divine is all around us. I look forward to reading Bill’s thoughts on how evil coexists with a good God. Thank you both for these letters!
I feel called to write about LOVE, which I capitalize to refer to unconditional LOVE, as opposed to common misperceptions like Hallmark sentimentality and codependent attachment. I think LOVE explains how birds and butterflies find their way south for the winter, and horses can grow their winter coat seemingly overnight, and how we never have to put breathing on our to do list. Scientists have explanations for these things, but if you inquire "why" to their explanations enough times, you get down to the mystery of existence. IMHO, that is where you encounter LOVE's presence. I look forward to your exploration, William. BTW...my favorite CS Lewis book is "The Great Divorce"...that lizard scene is INCREDIBLE...
I'm so sorry that it took me a week to get back to you. That is so well said about love. The way you put that I've never heard before. I 100% agree with you that science can't give a satisfying answer to love in all its beauty.
William, thank you for bringing up this subject, which I admit I’ve somewhat struggled with. We used to go to a Christian church every weekend until they got into politics and even invited Trump one weekend. The things people would say were not consistent with Jesus’s teachings but were angry and hurtful.
I’ve always believed in God, but I feel like I have my own relationship with Him that doesn’t require a church. People here in NC always ask me what church I go to, but honestly I don’t have the desire. However, I’m grateful to God in countless ways.
I have so much to say on the topic of church and Christianity. I've been down a long road and I'm very well aware the damage that can be done. Thank you for being open to what I'm sharing. I think you'll see in the coming days and months and years that I have a much different way of sharing and communicating the faith.
By the way, your letter about your mom was another grand slam and I'll be writing a response soon!
Can't wait for part 2! I really appreciate your focus on love. Pastor Francis Chan said a quote that has stuck with me when I get caught up in the noise of life.
Chan said, "We are here to love (God, others, and self), not much else matters."
When I really think about it, isn't this truly the answer? If not, what are we doing here anyways? 😉
Hello Jordan,
Thank you so much. I agree with you 100%. As I've gotten older, I see that much more clearly. Especially with a hurting world that is desperately seeking it.
I agree...LOVE is the answer.
🙏
Simply amazing!
Thank you for this intimate write, introducing me to a new word—numinous, and reinvigorating the fact that pain and suffering are not proof of God’s absence, but instead signs of His existence.
Hello Kileeo,
Thank you so much. Hopefully I can really explain Lewis journey and how his reasoning about the numinous brought him into theism. I've really had to put on my thinking cap.
I believe God is in everything! There are many forms of direct encounters we can have with the divine and agree that the divine is all around us. I look forward to reading Bill’s thoughts on how evil coexists with a good God. Thank you both for these letters!
Hello Rosa,
Thank you so much for your encouragement. It will be fun to wrestle with this topic from many different perspectives.
I feel called to write about LOVE, which I capitalize to refer to unconditional LOVE, as opposed to common misperceptions like Hallmark sentimentality and codependent attachment. I think LOVE explains how birds and butterflies find their way south for the winter, and horses can grow their winter coat seemingly overnight, and how we never have to put breathing on our to do list. Scientists have explanations for these things, but if you inquire "why" to their explanations enough times, you get down to the mystery of existence. IMHO, that is where you encounter LOVE's presence. I look forward to your exploration, William. BTW...my favorite CS Lewis book is "The Great Divorce"...that lizard scene is INCREDIBLE...
Hello Kristn!!
I'm so sorry that it took me a week to get back to you. That is so well said about love. The way you put that I've never heard before. I 100% agree with you that science can't give a satisfying answer to love in all its beauty.
I will put The Great Divorce on my to do list!
I hope to see the lizard scene show up in your writing...then I will know it changed your life as it changed mine...
William, thank you for bringing up this subject, which I admit I’ve somewhat struggled with. We used to go to a Christian church every weekend until they got into politics and even invited Trump one weekend. The things people would say were not consistent with Jesus’s teachings but were angry and hurtful.
I’ve always believed in God, but I feel like I have my own relationship with Him that doesn’t require a church. People here in NC always ask me what church I go to, but honestly I don’t have the desire. However, I’m grateful to God in countless ways.
I can’t wait to see what you write next.
Hello Glenna,
I have so much to say on the topic of church and Christianity. I've been down a long road and I'm very well aware the damage that can be done. Thank you for being open to what I'm sharing. I think you'll see in the coming days and months and years that I have a much different way of sharing and communicating the faith.
By the way, your letter about your mom was another grand slam and I'll be writing a response soon!