I agree that we should be open to different ways of worship. I grew up in the traditional Episcopal church but since then, I was mentored and loved by an older couple who believed you must speak in tongues to be saved. I never did but they loved me with the most Christlike love . Our family ended up after a loss of job move to Texas attending a small Calvinistic Bible church where actually we did learn the most of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our sons then attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran church school which was conservative - kind of in between the Bible church and Protestant .
Finally I got a counseling degree from a Dallas Seminary linked college . We then spent some years at a large non denominational church because it stood strong against the tide of government control and woke culture.
In every church and style of worship, we met faithful saved believers who I may or may not have agreed with their doctrine but certainly I learned from their faith walk. I believe God led us to change at the right times so we would not become tower builders in our own doctrines like the Tower of Babel. I especially have witnessed my prodigal son as he has returned to the Lord try to incorporate his Episcopal/ Lutheran/ Bible church upbringing into personal beliefs that give him strength and confidence in his walk with the Lord.
The bottom line to me is the thief on the Cross next to Jesus. He believed that Jesus was who he claimed and he was saved.
Wow, what a road!! It’s clear you’ve gained much wisdom from having received from many orthodox streams. I love your bottom line … the clarity of that one heart response.
Thank you for this, Sara. I always enjoy reading your writing - whether in books, on Substack or on Instagram - but this was especially thought-provoking and convicting.
This is so good.. there is so much we can learn from our differences and one of those things is learning more about our own faith by looking into it more deeply, contemplating scripture and prayer to the One who can help us discern.
Ohhhh...that line...we tolerate, but don’t receive. Ouch! I wrote that one in my journal. It made me ponder about love and it’s biblical definition. I don’t think tolerate belongs there!
And it also reminded me of a podcast I heard recently. The guest shared that he starts every day with the prayer, “Help me to receive all that You have for me today.” It struck me as a true prayer of humility.
Thank you for your beautiful vulnerability, Sara.❤️
I love it when God does this! Delivers a word from His heart to my inbox (and from there to my heart!) EXACTLY when it is needed. Thank you Sara - for being His messenger today! I was able to share this with someone struggling with acceptance among believers. Now I'm trusting the Lord to drive home the message of oneness, not uniformity (same). And yes, I'm aware that while I know he needs the message, I do too! Excited to see how God expands our view and our experience!
I agree that we should be open to different ways of worship. I grew up in the traditional Episcopal church but since then, I was mentored and loved by an older couple who believed you must speak in tongues to be saved. I never did but they loved me with the most Christlike love . Our family ended up after a loss of job move to Texas attending a small Calvinistic Bible church where actually we did learn the most of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Our sons then attended a Missouri Synod Lutheran church school which was conservative - kind of in between the Bible church and Protestant .
Finally I got a counseling degree from a Dallas Seminary linked college . We then spent some years at a large non denominational church because it stood strong against the tide of government control and woke culture.
In every church and style of worship, we met faithful saved believers who I may or may not have agreed with their doctrine but certainly I learned from their faith walk. I believe God led us to change at the right times so we would not become tower builders in our own doctrines like the Tower of Babel. I especially have witnessed my prodigal son as he has returned to the Lord try to incorporate his Episcopal/ Lutheran/ Bible church upbringing into personal beliefs that give him strength and confidence in his walk with the Lord.
The bottom line to me is the thief on the Cross next to Jesus. He believed that Jesus was who he claimed and he was saved.
Wow, what a road!! It’s clear you’ve gained much wisdom from having received from many orthodox streams. I love your bottom line … the clarity of that one heart response.
Thank you for this, Sara. I always enjoy reading your writing - whether in books, on Substack or on Instagram - but this was especially thought-provoking and convicting.
Awww … so glad!
This is so good.. there is so much we can learn from our differences and one of those things is learning more about our own faith by looking into it more deeply, contemplating scripture and prayer to the One who can help us discern.
Ohhhh...that line...we tolerate, but don’t receive. Ouch! I wrote that one in my journal. It made me ponder about love and it’s biblical definition. I don’t think tolerate belongs there!
And it also reminded me of a podcast I heard recently. The guest shared that he starts every day with the prayer, “Help me to receive all that You have for me today.” It struck me as a true prayer of humility.
Thank you for your beautiful vulnerability, Sara.❤️
I love it when God does this! Delivers a word from His heart to my inbox (and from there to my heart!) EXACTLY when it is needed. Thank you Sara - for being His messenger today! I was able to share this with someone struggling with acceptance among believers. Now I'm trusting the Lord to drive home the message of oneness, not uniformity (same). And yes, I'm aware that while I know he needs the message, I do too! Excited to see how God expands our view and our experience!
YES 🥰Love This🙌🏼🙏🏼