Thank you Nadia for these words. I will be sending them to the women of St Dysmas at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. Also, please pray for Laura, who was released from MCIW this week. For a successful reintegration into her old life. For joy and for new chances.
Thank you for this sermon. This made me tear up; I really need it. The last 10 years or so of my life have been giving up on the things that were supposed to happen: finding love, finding community, making friends, getting a college degree, becoming a normal adult. It's been about losing everything that was supposed to be--all of the things I had hoped for--and not really finding anything to replace it, except a body that's falling apart on me, and a span of only-God-knows how many more years I have to drag myself. Living off of gritty hope, the dregs of what's left, is such a tiring thing sometimes. But here I am.
So I have been kicking the darkness for a long time. And sometimes a little light does break through. Now and then even a huge ray of light shines into that darkness and makes it day again.
That.was.amazing! Never have I heard this passage explained with such incredible insight! I can't wait to share it! Blessings to you and thank you more than words can say.
"So while in our reading from Romans Paul speaks of a hope that does not disappoint, let’s be clear: hope is not his starting point…suffering is." Amen.
Beautiful and real, just like Jesus. I like what the Bude, Pema Chodron says, "Abandon all hope of fruition." There is a freedom there that strips off the delusional and puts Santa God back in the toy store where he belongs.
Thank you Nadia. I have struggled. My family has struggled. The world we know is flipped upside down to the point that almost nothing feels like it is genuine or makes sense anymore. Your reminder that the disciples felt this in the days immediately after Christ's death is a great minder that every single person will have to fight the darkness at some point or another--I just never expected it to be the whole nation (maybe the world) having the same experience at the same time. I have been praying for you and your tender heart. You have been so faithful in feeding our hearts and minds. And, I know that it must be a hard road to walk during these times. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with all of us.
When the topic of prison or criminality arises, I often remind people that Christ was a criminal, murdered by the state. I'm fun at parties. Anyway, thank you for the work you do with these women and for reminding them they are far from forsaken.
Thank you. I’m sending these words to women in my local prison. Last week, I shared another piece of your writing with them. It’s the real that we need. I’m finding ‘hope’ coming up again and again. Big difference between hope and optimism.
Thank you Nadia for these words. I will be sending them to the women of St Dysmas at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. Also, please pray for Laura, who was released from MCIW this week. For a successful reintegration into her old life. For joy and for new chances.
Thank you for this sermon. This made me tear up; I really need it. The last 10 years or so of my life have been giving up on the things that were supposed to happen: finding love, finding community, making friends, getting a college degree, becoming a normal adult. It's been about losing everything that was supposed to be--all of the things I had hoped for--and not really finding anything to replace it, except a body that's falling apart on me, and a span of only-God-knows how many more years I have to drag myself. Living off of gritty hope, the dregs of what's left, is such a tiring thing sometimes. But here I am.
So I have been kicking the darkness for a long time. And sometimes a little light does break through. Now and then even a huge ray of light shines into that darkness and makes it day again.
That.was.amazing! Never have I heard this passage explained with such incredible insight! I can't wait to share it! Blessings to you and thank you more than words can say.
"So while in our reading from Romans Paul speaks of a hope that does not disappoint, let’s be clear: hope is not his starting point…suffering is." Amen.
I love this. Thank you.
Beautiful and real, just like Jesus. I like what the Bude, Pema Chodron says, "Abandon all hope of fruition." There is a freedom there that strips off the delusional and puts Santa God back in the toy store where he belongs.
Thank you Nadia. I have struggled. My family has struggled. The world we know is flipped upside down to the point that almost nothing feels like it is genuine or makes sense anymore. Your reminder that the disciples felt this in the days immediately after Christ's death is a great minder that every single person will have to fight the darkness at some point or another--I just never expected it to be the whole nation (maybe the world) having the same experience at the same time. I have been praying for you and your tender heart. You have been so faithful in feeding our hearts and minds. And, I know that it must be a hard road to walk during these times. Thank you for sharing your heart and soul with all of us.
In spite of and in the midst of, God’s children still hope, not clinging but boldly holding on with both hands and we keep on movin’
When the topic of prison or criminality arises, I often remind people that Christ was a criminal, murdered by the state. I'm fun at parties. Anyway, thank you for the work you do with these women and for reminding them they are far from forsaken.
Thank you I will be sending this to an inmate in Ada County Jail
Please pray for him, Kelly. We are going through difficult days and praying that Our Heavenly Father Guides us through with grace.
Stunning! One of the best things on Christian Hope I have ever read!
God bless and protect Nadia. Keep giving her these words of truth to pastor all of us. Give her peace and strength. Amen.
Thank you. Grateful for this today.
Really enjoyed your words, we are all hoping.
Thank you. I’m sending these words to women in my local prison. Last week, I shared another piece of your writing with them. It’s the real that we need. I’m finding ‘hope’ coming up again and again. Big difference between hope and optimism.