“completing a moral inventory and speaking it to another person isn’t the way we earn forgiveness – it’s just the way to force our egos into a posture where we can receive forgiveness.”— to this Al-Anon, brilliant.
Indeed! Nadia has brilliantly put this into the proper perspective, which is refreshing and a relief. I attended 12-step programs for Adult Children of Alcoholics for a few years but stopped short of doing Step 4. This is not unusual for people of "my culture of ACoAs" because we are so filled with shame and grief that it can be unbearable. Being in touch with these characteristics daily seems to continue the legacy of self-loathing, which is too familiar to us. My therapist had said to me that I would be in recovery for the rest of my life, which felt horrifying because it was all new to me. I just wanted all of it to be over! However, since the age of 6, I set an intention and a commitment to explore and understand why Jesus loved me. Still, I didn't understand why my parents didn't. Indeed, their stormy relationship also did not demonstrate coming from a healthy and loving place. Why were they even married? It wasn't evident, yet these questions stimulated my innate curiosity. However, stopping short of a connection with God as understood was a missed opportunity to experience grace. I am older now and growing in wisdom, which means knowing what I own and don't own and forgiving myself and my parents, which has brought relief and a need to be thankful that I took my path as I did. However, I miss being part of a community of recovering people. I am an Enneagram Five, the investigator, which I found almost hilarious in its accuracy. Blessings to you and Al-Anon.
I resonate so much with what you've shared. I'm brand new to this idea of being an adult child, and yet it fits so well. The healing, learning, and growth seems daunting and yet, finally a path to follow. Thank you for your share, it makes me feel less alone on this journey.
This came to my inbox at just the right moment because I am readying myself to return to attending Lutheran services. I am of Northern European descent and mid-western culture (Chicago), so it follows that I am Lutheran. I have recently moved with my husband to SW Utah, where there is a small but growing Lutheran church amid the sea of LDS churches. LDS people are among the most neighborly, kindest, and friendliest people I have met, but I am solidly Lutheran, though I don't recall precisely what that means. Though I regularly attended church, Sunday school classes, Bible school in the summer, and confirmation classes in seventh grade, I can't recall a thing about Martin Luther other than the Diet of Worms and the basics of the 95 Thesis. I've never been to a Bible study as an adult, and this small church (New Promise Lutheran Church, ELCA) offers one on Wednesdays for women. So, if someone asks me or I ask myself about being a Lutheran, I would need a refresher course. This sermon offers just that. You are a brilliant and kind person. I am looking forward to more essays on Lutheranism. Thank you.
This resonated with me. When I revisited my church upbringing as an adult it brought such blessings that I continue to reap as an oldster! Please go to adult Sunday School at your new church and find out what you missed as a child. Yeah!!
As a lifelong Quaker, I can honestly say that part of what is missing for me in modern Quakerism theologically is these twin ideas of grace and sin. And I know that as a parent it is more effective to emphasize good behavior, to praise what you want from your children, then to constantly harp on how they fuck up (as all humans do), but I need space to wrestle theologically with what is required to be a whole human being in community with whole human beings, how I survive this often heartbreaking, imperfect existence, and refusing to engage with darkness, only focusing on the Light, as modern Quakers so often do, doesn't really help me do that work effectively.
Sometimes I wish I hadn't been so deeply imprinted upon by silent, unprogrammed worship so that I could feel comfortable in church, but I find all the standing up and sitting down and talking, talking, talking so over-stimulating. I suspect that's why I love this newsletter so much, because you share your sermons, which so often speak to my condition, but then I have the space to just sit silently with them and let them work on my heart. Thank you.
Nadia: I love your theology. It scratches joe where I itch. I never thought that at the age of 80; I would be surprised by a new look ant Grace and a new relationship with the Divine. Thank you.
Nadia, such a gracious epistle to the world. Struggling with the plethora of church doctrines, your message points simply and sanely to the heart of the gospel.
I think Lutherans are much more flexible in the "Liturgical Protestant" camp to meet people from all social-economic divides than the Episcopal Church (where I am a member). You are proof of this.
Probably my favorite Lutheran modern hymn is"There in God's Garden." I think this represents yours and many ministries as working with our own oppression and the oppression of others. Our self-oppression is the worst! The last verse brings me great hope:
Girl! This sermon ‘felt like a sound’ … that sound a Shelby makes that’s ’hitting on all cylinders’. It’s a beautiful sound. I have to stop tearing up this early in the morning. Thank God your head hasn’t found out how good your heart’s doing. Peace out.
HPFTU is a definition of sin that I can live with much easier than I could with the idea that I’m so wicked that a holy God can’t stand to look at me without the blood of Jesus covering me.
Amen. I too am a Lutheran because it is all about grace! I keep trucking along because I know the Spirit is with me, so when I get things wrong, I can ask for forgiveness and start anew. Wouldn't it be great if more people trusted grace to see us through life and believe that there is space for all of us...less fear and more faith that God's grace is enough. Thank you for the great reminder.
this is one of the most, if not THE MOST convincing arguments for faith in God that I have heard. As a life long Presbyterian, I have sought answers to my skepticism and repeatedly told myself that I could not live the life Jesus taught us to want. Like the wealthy man who could not give up his money. But these words of Nadia's restore my hope that I too, can be forgiven.
Thank you so much, sister -- a wonderful exposition that I will be sharing with our youth and a few others (along with your invitation to subscribe 😉).
One question: you introduce the piece by writing, "In my final sermon at HFASS, I offered 8 things I wanted to say about grace." But there is no number six in your list - ??
“…you could live an entirely moral life, never cheat on your spouse or on your taxes…you could never break a law and be a so-called good person and still be a total sinner.” 💯
It resonates that those who have not experienced grace are apt to not give grace. Therefore they seek to join Morality Clubs (formerly known as “churches”) in order to justify themselves.
How many times can I love this? I wish this was the kind of preaching I heard more often.
“completing a moral inventory and speaking it to another person isn’t the way we earn forgiveness – it’s just the way to force our egos into a posture where we can receive forgiveness.”— to this Al-Anon, brilliant.
Indeed! Nadia has brilliantly put this into the proper perspective, which is refreshing and a relief. I attended 12-step programs for Adult Children of Alcoholics for a few years but stopped short of doing Step 4. This is not unusual for people of "my culture of ACoAs" because we are so filled with shame and grief that it can be unbearable. Being in touch with these characteristics daily seems to continue the legacy of self-loathing, which is too familiar to us. My therapist had said to me that I would be in recovery for the rest of my life, which felt horrifying because it was all new to me. I just wanted all of it to be over! However, since the age of 6, I set an intention and a commitment to explore and understand why Jesus loved me. Still, I didn't understand why my parents didn't. Indeed, their stormy relationship also did not demonstrate coming from a healthy and loving place. Why were they even married? It wasn't evident, yet these questions stimulated my innate curiosity. However, stopping short of a connection with God as understood was a missed opportunity to experience grace. I am older now and growing in wisdom, which means knowing what I own and don't own and forgiving myself and my parents, which has brought relief and a need to be thankful that I took my path as I did. However, I miss being part of a community of recovering people. I am an Enneagram Five, the investigator, which I found almost hilarious in its accuracy. Blessings to you and Al-Anon.
I resonate so much with what you've shared. I'm brand new to this idea of being an adult child, and yet it fits so well. The healing, learning, and growth seems daunting and yet, finally a path to follow. Thank you for your share, it makes me feel less alone on this journey.
I'm 76 years old and was baptized Lutheran at the grand age of three weeks. Yours is the best explanation of Grace I have ever read or heard.
This came to my inbox at just the right moment because I am readying myself to return to attending Lutheran services. I am of Northern European descent and mid-western culture (Chicago), so it follows that I am Lutheran. I have recently moved with my husband to SW Utah, where there is a small but growing Lutheran church amid the sea of LDS churches. LDS people are among the most neighborly, kindest, and friendliest people I have met, but I am solidly Lutheran, though I don't recall precisely what that means. Though I regularly attended church, Sunday school classes, Bible school in the summer, and confirmation classes in seventh grade, I can't recall a thing about Martin Luther other than the Diet of Worms and the basics of the 95 Thesis. I've never been to a Bible study as an adult, and this small church (New Promise Lutheran Church, ELCA) offers one on Wednesdays for women. So, if someone asks me or I ask myself about being a Lutheran, I would need a refresher course. This sermon offers just that. You are a brilliant and kind person. I am looking forward to more essays on Lutheranism. Thank you.
This resonated with me. When I revisited my church upbringing as an adult it brought such blessings that I continue to reap as an oldster! Please go to adult Sunday School at your new church and find out what you missed as a child. Yeah!!
As a lifelong Quaker, I can honestly say that part of what is missing for me in modern Quakerism theologically is these twin ideas of grace and sin. And I know that as a parent it is more effective to emphasize good behavior, to praise what you want from your children, then to constantly harp on how they fuck up (as all humans do), but I need space to wrestle theologically with what is required to be a whole human being in community with whole human beings, how I survive this often heartbreaking, imperfect existence, and refusing to engage with darkness, only focusing on the Light, as modern Quakers so often do, doesn't really help me do that work effectively.
Sometimes I wish I hadn't been so deeply imprinted upon by silent, unprogrammed worship so that I could feel comfortable in church, but I find all the standing up and sitting down and talking, talking, talking so over-stimulating. I suspect that's why I love this newsletter so much, because you share your sermons, which so often speak to my condition, but then I have the space to just sit silently with them and let them work on my heart. Thank you.
Nadia: I love your theology. It scratches joe where I itch. I never thought that at the age of 80; I would be surprised by a new look ant Grace and a new relationship with the Divine. Thank you.
Nadia, such a gracious epistle to the world. Struggling with the plethora of church doctrines, your message points simply and sanely to the heart of the gospel.
I think Lutherans are much more flexible in the "Liturgical Protestant" camp to meet people from all social-economic divides than the Episcopal Church (where I am a member). You are proof of this.
Probably my favorite Lutheran modern hymn is"There in God's Garden." I think this represents yours and many ministries as working with our own oppression and the oppression of others. Our self-oppression is the worst! The last verse brings me great hope:
"Thanks to Christ, whose Passion
offers in mercy healing, strength, and pardon.
People and nations, take it, take it freely!"
Amen! Our Savior!
PTL!
Girl! This sermon ‘felt like a sound’ … that sound a Shelby makes that’s ’hitting on all cylinders’. It’s a beautiful sound. I have to stop tearing up this early in the morning. Thank God your head hasn’t found out how good your heart’s doing. Peace out.
Thank you.
The good news - so lovingly expressed- does bring tears. Here’s to crying first thing in the morning!
HPFTU is a definition of sin that I can live with much easier than I could with the idea that I’m so wicked that a holy God can’t stand to look at me without the blood of Jesus covering me.
Grace! Sin. You said it perfectly.
Amen. I too am a Lutheran because it is all about grace! I keep trucking along because I know the Spirit is with me, so when I get things wrong, I can ask for forgiveness and start anew. Wouldn't it be great if more people trusted grace to see us through life and believe that there is space for all of us...less fear and more faith that God's grace is enough. Thank you for the great reminder.
this is one of the most, if not THE MOST convincing arguments for faith in God that I have heard. As a life long Presbyterian, I have sought answers to my skepticism and repeatedly told myself that I could not live the life Jesus taught us to want. Like the wealthy man who could not give up his money. But these words of Nadia's restore my hope that I too, can be forgiven.
Thank you so much, sister -- a wonderful exposition that I will be sharing with our youth and a few others (along with your invitation to subscribe 😉).
One question: you introduce the piece by writing, "In my final sermon at HFASS, I offered 8 things I wanted to say about grace." But there is no number six in your list - ??
Blessings --
“…you could live an entirely moral life, never cheat on your spouse or on your taxes…you could never break a law and be a so-called good person and still be a total sinner.” 💯
It resonates that those who have not experienced grace are apt to not give grace. Therefore they seek to join Morality Clubs (formerly known as “churches”) in order to justify themselves.
I.Love.This.
I wish I could memorize this entire piece. You put into words what I know in my heart.
Grace gave me permission to stop trying to earn my salvation.
Thank you!
I was raised catholic and have pretty much been non religious for many years but your preaching is what I need to hear. Thank you