Good morning, all. I would like to share that I noticed that Jesus was sharing truth with many words of, "Let me tell you..." Preparing us for faith. I am stuck by that. To JL's questions. Yes, I have made a transition. I founded a nonprofit, Bridge II Sports, and adapted sports program to serve youth, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities through adapted sport in hopes they would find life again after profound brokenness. Twenty years later, many event, many lives' impacted, I felt like Yahweh was asking me to let that go. In December of 2025, I passed the reigns to another leader, and stepped down. I fully believe it was the right decision. I fully believe Yahweh is in it. Many have asked, how does it feel to let go of your "baby". I started it because I felt like Yahweh asked me to be a "light in a dark place, to shine a light as no-one flourishes in a box. I said yes. I have been seeking and asking where God would have me serve. I have been dealing with some health issues that are slowly coming into some compliance (LOL, as if I have much control over my body.). Yahweh gave me time to rest, focus, and pray. The Hebrews study and this study has been a wonderful refreshment of what is faith, and how we all can interact with Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirt as we all walk this earth together.
It seems like you're still waiting to see the fullness of what God has for you next AND you're delighted to be exactly where you are (because that's where God put you).
I don’t like change. I typically hang on to things until they are practically ripped from my hands. I remember being a junior in high school and finally feeling a sense of belonging. I had a super close-knit group of friends in my church’s youth group, and almost all of us were set to go to the same christian university. Then, on a college visit, I came to find out that they didn’t offer my desired major. I was devastated. The future I had envisioned was no longer possible. Doors were opening to another university and it started to all click into place. I see now that going to school with my youth group friends might have been fun but likely stagnant. God was offering me other friendships and opportunities and I’m so glad I took Him up on them.
Here is something I've been struggling with over the last few years... I've shared about my church experiences over the last few years in other comments (moving from one city to another one, coming to a new church, and so on). For the last 2 or 3 years, though, MANY have left. Though there have been incredible reasons for many who have left (some to plant a church, another to lead a university Bible department), others who have left I've honestly taken very personally. I've felt a sense of betrayal and hurt. Also, I've blamed myself, trying to say if I had been a better friend, they'd still be there.
Through all of that, though, I've had this sense that we're still where we're supposed to be... I think what Yahweh has been trying to help me learn is that, while I was growing so much in my Biblical knowledge, I wasn't growing in my trust of Him as much as I could have. My prayer life is far better now than it was, and I have a much better sense and confidence in the presence of the Spirit, too.
I still grieve the loss of the presence of some of my friends (FAMILY), but I'm learning that while my trust had been in a good thing, it wasn't fully in Him. I'm both sad and grateful at the same time.
This seems like an important journey you're on. And it's all tangled up in what we're learning here in John 14-16 about unity, love, and community (the child of unity and love). Maybe some of us [me on many occasions] try to make the branches the vine, meaning that some of us are trying to let other believers be our source. It's not as easy as saying, depend on Jesus not on people, because the people ARE Jesus. But also, I think we know when we're looking to God's people for something only God can provide. When we're all getting what we need from the Father, Son, and Spirit, we can give to one another freely without expectation. We can watch people leave and not feel regret over the parts of ourselves we gave away to them (because God is always giving us more to have and to give) or guilt over what we were unable to give (because God is the One who gives them more than enough and gives us more than enough grace).
May our good God continue to walk with you. I've been in this very place--watching friend after friend leave the church my own husband was leading. It's so emotionally tiring.
Oh wow, I'll have to remember your note about making the branch the vine... I'm realizing that, earlier on, I associated people with God's presence... but I think I was still idolizing an ideal, or idolizing the image instead of the thing the image points to.
The move from good to better doesn't always seem better at first!
I’m a second generation homeschooler who homeschooled my own kiddos for five years until I sensed the Lord asking me to be open to public school last summer. Our financial situation had changed dramatically after my husband left a very lucrative job, I was dealing with some unexplained health symptoms and mental illness relapse, and my kids were struggling academically as a result of my struggle to consistently teach them. As much as I hated the idea of public school, it felt like God was holding my hand while we walked in that direction. I literally panicked on the kids’ first day. And now, a few weeks away from finishing our first full year, I’m so grateful that this was where He led us. It took so much humility and letting go and trusting what I couldn’t yet see. But that one decision of obedience has borne fruit in all four members of our family (because of course it has.) 🙂
I couldn’t think of anything I had to let go. So I decided to think on it. After responding to Day 32, I came back to this one. Had to laugh. My response there was my pride. This was my moment….
I (with a few others) was over ladies class. That summer, I found out someone had reached out to the deacon over adult classes with a great idea for the ladies class. I initially was not in agreement. I could’ve asserted myself (and caused hurt to others). I let it go. Hurt my pride…
I was talking to a friend. In that conversation I told some things going on personally. She said maybe I needed a break from being over the class and focus on other things. The class was wonderful and quite frankly a breath of fresh air that was needed.
My friend was right. It reminded me how hard it is to go somewhere new and try to find your place when the slots are already full.
My brother had had a stroke. My brother in law died. I had so much going on and things to work through. I didn’t know I needed the break until God provided one for me.
I don’t have a story (or at least one I can remember…as I’m old and very forgetful, esp. of the past) but I have two questions. 1. Could Jesus possibly be talking about Saul in vs 2-3? And didn’t Thomas kind of ask where Jesus was going on 14:5?
1. Yes! I think Paul is definitely on Jesus' mind.
2. Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going." Then he asked, "How can we know the way?” I think what Jesus is getting at is something like: You guys are so scared of being left behind that you haven't stopped to consider that maybe my leaving is a good thing. Maybe the scenario is something like telling a friend you're moving away and the friend fixates on the way the move negatively affects them in a way that leaves no room for excitement about what the move might mean for you.
Good morning, all. I would like to share that I noticed that Jesus was sharing truth with many words of, "Let me tell you..." Preparing us for faith. I am stuck by that. To JL's questions. Yes, I have made a transition. I founded a nonprofit, Bridge II Sports, and adapted sports program to serve youth, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities through adapted sport in hopes they would find life again after profound brokenness. Twenty years later, many event, many lives' impacted, I felt like Yahweh was asking me to let that go. In December of 2025, I passed the reigns to another leader, and stepped down. I fully believe it was the right decision. I fully believe Yahweh is in it. Many have asked, how does it feel to let go of your "baby". I started it because I felt like Yahweh asked me to be a "light in a dark place, to shine a light as no-one flourishes in a box. I said yes. I have been seeking and asking where God would have me serve. I have been dealing with some health issues that are slowly coming into some compliance (LOL, as if I have much control over my body.). Yahweh gave me time to rest, focus, and pray. The Hebrews study and this study has been a wonderful refreshment of what is faith, and how we all can interact with Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirt as we all walk this earth together.
It seems like you're still waiting to see the fullness of what God has for you next AND you're delighted to be exactly where you are (because that's where God put you).
I don’t like change. I typically hang on to things until they are practically ripped from my hands. I remember being a junior in high school and finally feeling a sense of belonging. I had a super close-knit group of friends in my church’s youth group, and almost all of us were set to go to the same christian university. Then, on a college visit, I came to find out that they didn’t offer my desired major. I was devastated. The future I had envisioned was no longer possible. Doors were opening to another university and it started to all click into place. I see now that going to school with my youth group friends might have been fun but likely stagnant. God was offering me other friendships and opportunities and I’m so glad I took Him up on them.
Here is something I've been struggling with over the last few years... I've shared about my church experiences over the last few years in other comments (moving from one city to another one, coming to a new church, and so on). For the last 2 or 3 years, though, MANY have left. Though there have been incredible reasons for many who have left (some to plant a church, another to lead a university Bible department), others who have left I've honestly taken very personally. I've felt a sense of betrayal and hurt. Also, I've blamed myself, trying to say if I had been a better friend, they'd still be there.
Through all of that, though, I've had this sense that we're still where we're supposed to be... I think what Yahweh has been trying to help me learn is that, while I was growing so much in my Biblical knowledge, I wasn't growing in my trust of Him as much as I could have. My prayer life is far better now than it was, and I have a much better sense and confidence in the presence of the Spirit, too.
I still grieve the loss of the presence of some of my friends (FAMILY), but I'm learning that while my trust had been in a good thing, it wasn't fully in Him. I'm both sad and grateful at the same time.
This seems like an important journey you're on. And it's all tangled up in what we're learning here in John 14-16 about unity, love, and community (the child of unity and love). Maybe some of us [me on many occasions] try to make the branches the vine, meaning that some of us are trying to let other believers be our source. It's not as easy as saying, depend on Jesus not on people, because the people ARE Jesus. But also, I think we know when we're looking to God's people for something only God can provide. When we're all getting what we need from the Father, Son, and Spirit, we can give to one another freely without expectation. We can watch people leave and not feel regret over the parts of ourselves we gave away to them (because God is always giving us more to have and to give) or guilt over what we were unable to give (because God is the One who gives them more than enough and gives us more than enough grace).
May our good God continue to walk with you. I've been in this very place--watching friend after friend leave the church my own husband was leading. It's so emotionally tiring.
Oh wow, I'll have to remember your note about making the branch the vine... I'm realizing that, earlier on, I associated people with God's presence... but I think I was still idolizing an ideal, or idolizing the image instead of the thing the image points to.
The move from good to better doesn't always seem better at first!
I’m a second generation homeschooler who homeschooled my own kiddos for five years until I sensed the Lord asking me to be open to public school last summer. Our financial situation had changed dramatically after my husband left a very lucrative job, I was dealing with some unexplained health symptoms and mental illness relapse, and my kids were struggling academically as a result of my struggle to consistently teach them. As much as I hated the idea of public school, it felt like God was holding my hand while we walked in that direction. I literally panicked on the kids’ first day. And now, a few weeks away from finishing our first full year, I’m so grateful that this was where He led us. It took so much humility and letting go and trusting what I couldn’t yet see. But that one decision of obedience has borne fruit in all four members of our family (because of course it has.) 🙂
Of course it has. ;)
I couldn’t think of anything I had to let go. So I decided to think on it. After responding to Day 32, I came back to this one. Had to laugh. My response there was my pride. This was my moment….
I (with a few others) was over ladies class. That summer, I found out someone had reached out to the deacon over adult classes with a great idea for the ladies class. I initially was not in agreement. I could’ve asserted myself (and caused hurt to others). I let it go. Hurt my pride…
I was talking to a friend. In that conversation I told some things going on personally. She said maybe I needed a break from being over the class and focus on other things. The class was wonderful and quite frankly a breath of fresh air that was needed.
My friend was right. It reminded me how hard it is to go somewhere new and try to find your place when the slots are already full.
My brother had had a stroke. My brother in law died. I had so much going on and things to work through. I didn’t know I needed the break until God provided one for me.
I don’t have a story (or at least one I can remember…as I’m old and very forgetful, esp. of the past) but I have two questions. 1. Could Jesus possibly be talking about Saul in vs 2-3? And didn’t Thomas kind of ask where Jesus was going on 14:5?
1. Yes! I think Paul is definitely on Jesus' mind.
2. Thomas said, “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going." Then he asked, "How can we know the way?” I think what Jesus is getting at is something like: You guys are so scared of being left behind that you haven't stopped to consider that maybe my leaving is a good thing. Maybe the scenario is something like telling a friend you're moving away and the friend fixates on the way the move negatively affects them in a way that leaves no room for excitement about what the move might mean for you.