Wow, so rich. “Perhaps it’s only through vulnerable love that vulnerable prodigals can be restored.” I’m going to be sitting with this line for a while. Thank you for this!
Excellent. We had the privilege of going to Israel in 2020. I remember sitting in what they think could be the Garden of Gesthemane, and as our Pastor taught, my focus zeroed in on those twisted trees, bent and weathered, and I imagined Christ pouring out His heart to the Father as his disciples fell asleep nearby
. It helped me to really see the anguish that Jesus was facing, as he prepared to do the Father’s will, and carry the sins of the whole
world all the way to death on the cross.
How many times have I been asleep, when I could be at a friend’s side, praying with them as they faced impossible odds, anguishing losses or a challenging step of obedience?
It very much changed the way I think when I read and meditate on that account. Your words took me back to that moment. Thank you.
As someone privileged to have heard many of your sermons, I would say, Don't beat yourself up over sharing too much from the pulpit. In a world where most pastors err on the other side, your vulnerability is real, is relatable and seems motivated not to exalt yourself but to point us to the vulnerable Jesus. And I thank you for that.
Bless you, sir! I am learning all the more about myself every day. And the more and I more I learn about homiletical vulnerability, the more I see its deep need. But also the ways in which it can be manipulated. I want any act of vulnerability to be done in an act of service. Not an act of power. Thank you for sharing with me your kind words, Bob.
I have head & found that vulnerability breeds vulnerability. I have found this to be a powerful truth. But have also seen it used as a tool to gain from someone,rather than to help them. In this case I see the enemy trying to use a gift from God to discredit God’s gift.
Wow, so rich. “Perhaps it’s only through vulnerable love that vulnerable prodigals can be restored.” I’m going to be sitting with this line for a while. Thank you for this!
Thanks, Melissa!
This is really good.
Thank you, Mel!
Excellent. We had the privilege of going to Israel in 2020. I remember sitting in what they think could be the Garden of Gesthemane, and as our Pastor taught, my focus zeroed in on those twisted trees, bent and weathered, and I imagined Christ pouring out His heart to the Father as his disciples fell asleep nearby
. It helped me to really see the anguish that Jesus was facing, as he prepared to do the Father’s will, and carry the sins of the whole
world all the way to death on the cross.
How many times have I been asleep, when I could be at a friend’s side, praying with them as they faced impossible odds, anguishing losses or a challenging step of obedience?
It very much changed the way I think when I read and meditate on that account. Your words took me back to that moment. Thank you.
What a poignant connection to this post, Debi.
As someone privileged to have heard many of your sermons, I would say, Don't beat yourself up over sharing too much from the pulpit. In a world where most pastors err on the other side, your vulnerability is real, is relatable and seems motivated not to exalt yourself but to point us to the vulnerable Jesus. And I thank you for that.
Bless you, sir! I am learning all the more about myself every day. And the more and I more I learn about homiletical vulnerability, the more I see its deep need. But also the ways in which it can be manipulated. I want any act of vulnerability to be done in an act of service. Not an act of power. Thank you for sharing with me your kind words, Bob.
I have head & found that vulnerability breeds vulnerability. I have found this to be a powerful truth. But have also seen it used as a tool to gain from someone,rather than to help them. In this case I see the enemy trying to use a gift from God to discredit God’s gift.
I'm really grateful I found your Substack in time for this series. It's so very timely.