Amen.

We had family pictures done and sent to us. Definitely not holding back tears here. Wow, I love them.

#family

Amazing. Can’t wait to try it.

He’s a great channel to follow.

Yes, within Christendom.

As in, in higher church settings (say Anglican etc) I appreciate the use of liturgy and intentionality of not making humans the focus point of worship (low church would have worship leaders). In low church, which I’ve grown up in, I appreciate the ease in which being an informal person is accepted and the way in which faith “feels” more approachable.

And to extend it out of evangelicalism, as I am learning about Eastern Orthodoxy there are some really attractive parts that click. The way that they’ve maintained a solid base of what is and what isn’t theologically sound and have stayed very much the same across generations. The emphasis on being in an active connection with God rather than a passive relationship. And also, Protestants don’t really have a monastic tradition to look at/to, and I find the dedication and practices fascinating and really attractive. Eastern Orthodoxy has such a rich monastic tradition. I’ve loved learning about it (even if I feel like I’m just scratching the surface).

So I get to this place where I want to take in some of these practices or perspectives but it feels like I’m cheapening the history of each. I think I just need to keep reading and learning and go from there. It’s also made more challenging by my whole background being low church Protestant haha.

Just curious if I’ve missed a point of view and if there are things I could look into.

I want to ask questions but my background has meant questioning and probing has always been within the same tradition, or in a completely different context where the group doesn’t all agree. Not cross traditions.

As a Christian, I am fighting with the philosophical idea and practical application of wanting to adopt pieces of different traditions but not all of them. It feels disingenuous and I think it’s just a lack of knowledge on my part of the other traditions. There’s not really a historical precedent for masses finding a space in between traditions.

But … before schisms and creedal meetings, how did things go? Is that relevant?

I want to ask the things but don’t know how without it coming across as doubting vs curious.

#biblestr #christianstr

The irony that I’ve been learning, and beginning to practice, the Jesus Prayer while our entire family is coughing incessantly is not lost on me.

Thank you!!

I haven’t! I’ll check both of these out this week.

I think I am in a place where I want to be true to what I know is true, not pretend for the sake of appeasing others or a tradition, and lead my home well in drawing near to God. I’ve not yet figured out what all the outworkings of that are.

Appreciate the recommendations a bunch. I’ll let you know what I think 😊

Nostur 😊

Done! Thank you!

#introductions

Hey y’all.

Grew up in several national contexts in a conservative Christian circle (not weird conservative).

Went to a university to pursue a career in ministry and midway through realized it wasn’t meant to be, for a multiple of reasons I won’t flesh out in an intro post. I finished the degree nonetheless.

Life happened and much of the faith I held in the Church faded. I sat in silence without speaking to Him or progressing my faith in any way.

Many years older and potentially wiser, I am restoring myself to a dedicated and faithful life.

I find myself in a weird space of knowing my theology well, not liking some non-theology related pieces to the evangelical Church and the churches (as well as some theologically adjacent pieces), knowing that faith is beyond important, but refusing to return to just the same routine and expectations I had growing up.

I have been reading about regular prayer routines to start with, as consistency is a good start and I’m still struggling to read regularly and with vigor. I came across prayer ropes, which by extension brought me to the Jesus Prayer.

Since then I’ve been both praying this prayer regularly and doing more reading/watching on the Orthodox faith. I find much of it very interesting and the practices very engaging. Theologically and practically, I have lots of questions.

While I’ve been on #nostr in the past, hoping to use this user profile to engage the #christian and #orthodox community here. I enjoy philosophical conversations and talking about theology and want to learn more about how to wade through these waters of de/reconstructing a faith pleasing to God.

I glossed over some parts of my life etc (this note was much longer than I really wanted it to be). It’s not that crazy. I’m just another person in the corner. 🙏🏽