Oh, my dear Sophia, how glad I am that you took a huge gulp and decided to throw your lot in with us here. Welcome. Welcome.
I think you've arrived at clarity at last in the sentences you wrote here: "My relationship with God is long on love and short on obedience. I'm a bit defensive about this, because I've been pretty burned in the past by people of a more conservative theological bent whose keen intent on holiness had narrowed into an obsession that deadened them to remembering to love me."
That is really the heart of all the long rambles we sent back and forth to each other, yes?
And if I know anything about you, it is that you are opened and quickened to life by a lavishing of love---that contempt, judgment, or true-in-content-but-not-in-spirit rebukes whip up your hackles and drive you away. I happen to be married to a man who responds to life and fellow believers the same exact way, and his heart, as yours, is precious to me. :-)
So, I am praying that you joining hands with all of us motley crew will increase God's ability to lavish His love on you, and that in our camaraderie, we might all stumble a little nearer to Truth.
Joy at seeing you, dear one!
I think you've arrived at clarity at last in the sentences you wrote here: "My relationship with God is long on love and short on obedience. I'm a bit defensive about this, because I've been pretty burned in the past by people of a more conservative theological bent whose keen intent on holiness had narrowed into an obsession that deadened them to remembering to love me."
That is really the heart of all the long rambles we sent back and forth to each other, yes?
And if I know anything about you, it is that you are opened and quickened to life by a lavishing of love---that contempt, judgment, or true-in-content-but-not-in-spirit rebukes whip up your hackles and drive you away. I happen to be married to a man who responds to life and fellow believers the same exact way, and his heart, as yours, is precious to me. :-)
So, I am praying that you joining hands with all of us motley crew will increase God's ability to lavish His love on you, and that in our camaraderie, we might all stumble a little nearer to Truth.