Oh my, Nadia. I feel like all of your posts speak to me...but THIS one. Yes to resurrection. Yes, to rising from the ashes. Yes, to beginning again from scratch. My one and only tattoo is of a gorgeous Phoenix with these words: “You’ve seen my descent, now watch my rising.” --Rumi
"We could use something a little more powerful than our virtues – a little more reliable than our attempts to just try harder. I’ve tried trying harder it doesn't make me free, it just makes me tired."
Notably, to me, in that parable Jesus does not seem to say something like, "I raise thee!" He says, "Rise!" -- the exhortation pointing out that the power to do so lies within the one stricken; it does not require outside agency, like Jesus himself, except perhaps as a cheerleader pointing the way.
I'll never be able to read Jesus's original words, in any language, but this is translated-and-handed-down alternative (among many others, using approximately similar words) which makes good, good sense to me.
Yes! I felt that, too! It’s as if he was empowered to do it because he was surrounded - carried - by those who know him and love him. Community! It’s when we find community we find the power to rise!
I think my faith is dead. I'm so disappointed in the church and myself. Maybe my faith isn't dead but in need of good old fashioned resurrection? Can I muster just enough faith to wait and see? Enough faith to look around and see people?
Oh Nadia. It’s 6.30 pm and my 95 year old father who needs my constant care and my 70 year old brother in law who has dementia are coming to our home for dinner. I’ve just got home from my job as a social worker of 30 plus years and I’m deeply troubled by the divisive political situation facing my country ( Australia) where good and thoughtful people are calling each other names because we may disagree. Your prayer was exactly the thing I needed to read. Thank you
Ann. First I have been a caretaker for my gay friends who have cancer, one with alcoholism and a heart condition and another with cancer. It is not only physically exhausting spiritually exhausting as well. Your response made my heart soften and helped me to know I am not alone and that all the way in Australia you are kin. I am sending a hug and wishes that you know in your bones it does get better. Thank you for what you do and who you are. 🤍✨🕊️
Thank you for this wonderful prayer that lifts up my prayers in ways I cannot do myself. Almost 19 years ago I started the eyes to See, Ears to Hear Peace Prayer Mission Group in my church. Today I am thinking about what happened on September 11th that changed the course of history. In 2 days I will offer this prayer as our meditation in Mission Group, and will feel your presence, and Jesus' with us. Again, thank you.
P.S. You were kind to respond to a comment that I made last week by reminding me that you did acknowledge the fact that the group you addressed was not diverse. My comment wasn't meant as a rebuke by any stretch, I was simply projecting my yearning to call out the lack of diversity every chance I get, and at which I fail. My capacity to find the right words, as you are so gifted in doing, sometimes fails me. Apologies.
Wow! You always impress me on how you can take an old story that I've heard a million times in church, like the miracle at Nain, and put such fresh meaning and hope into what Jesus wants to do for us Today! Thank you!
Nadia- This is the prayer that I needed to read and to pray, so thank you! And every word is true, heartfelt, reaches each one of us, lifts us, and gives the kick we need to hold hands with Jesus in this journey so He can pull us along when we feel like running away and giving up. Yes- help us rise up and clean our own lens so we can see where to rise up to!
We see hopelessness when God knows the great things that are ahead. We are self critical when God sees beauty, talent, potential, strength...so much more than we are often willing to see within ourselves. What I love about this resurrection is that there's no demands. He is just simply given to his mother and cared for my her and God. It shows us that we don't have to earn God's love. Just because he loves us is enough of a reason to receive. Your prayer both challenges me and brings me peace. Thank you.
Good gracious. With the amount of times I have read and reread this, you’d think I’d be done crying about it but nope. 😭 Love this, love you, and so glad I’ll get to SEE YOU in a month. ❤️
Thank you all - seen and unseen, who presented this in my time of vulnerability and need. Thank you Nadia - I belong to no church or religion but frankly, you are beginning to sway me 🙏
Thank you again for words of hope. I do worry about the state of our country and of other countries that have too much hatred for other countries and people that are different then us, darker or lighter than us. This story does offer some hope. Jesus didn’t make any qualifications of the dead person, just rise up.
Oh my, Nadia. I feel like all of your posts speak to me...but THIS one. Yes to resurrection. Yes, to rising from the ashes. Yes, to beginning again from scratch. My one and only tattoo is of a gorgeous Phoenix with these words: “You’ve seen my descent, now watch my rising.” --Rumi
"We could use something a little more powerful than our virtues – a little more reliable than our attempts to just try harder. I’ve tried trying harder it doesn't make me free, it just makes me tired."
Oof. That hit me right in the gut.
Notably, to me, in that parable Jesus does not seem to say something like, "I raise thee!" He says, "Rise!" -- the exhortation pointing out that the power to do so lies within the one stricken; it does not require outside agency, like Jesus himself, except perhaps as a cheerleader pointing the way.
I'll never be able to read Jesus's original words, in any language, but this is translated-and-handed-down alternative (among many others, using approximately similar words) which makes good, good sense to me.
Yes! I felt that, too! It’s as if he was empowered to do it because he was surrounded - carried - by those who know him and love him. Community! It’s when we find community we find the power to rise!
I think my faith is dead. I'm so disappointed in the church and myself. Maybe my faith isn't dead but in need of good old fashioned resurrection? Can I muster just enough faith to wait and see? Enough faith to look around and see people?
Me too Kristen. Me too..
I sympathize so deeply♥️
Oh Nadia. It’s 6.30 pm and my 95 year old father who needs my constant care and my 70 year old brother in law who has dementia are coming to our home for dinner. I’ve just got home from my job as a social worker of 30 plus years and I’m deeply troubled by the divisive political situation facing my country ( Australia) where good and thoughtful people are calling each other names because we may disagree. Your prayer was exactly the thing I needed to read. Thank you
Bless you, Ann.
Ann. First I have been a caretaker for my gay friends who have cancer, one with alcoholism and a heart condition and another with cancer. It is not only physically exhausting spiritually exhausting as well. Your response made my heart soften and helped me to know I am not alone and that all the way in Australia you are kin. I am sending a hug and wishes that you know in your bones it does get better. Thank you for what you do and who you are. 🤍✨🕊️
Thank you for this wonderful prayer that lifts up my prayers in ways I cannot do myself. Almost 19 years ago I started the eyes to See, Ears to Hear Peace Prayer Mission Group in my church. Today I am thinking about what happened on September 11th that changed the course of history. In 2 days I will offer this prayer as our meditation in Mission Group, and will feel your presence, and Jesus' with us. Again, thank you.
P.S. You were kind to respond to a comment that I made last week by reminding me that you did acknowledge the fact that the group you addressed was not diverse. My comment wasn't meant as a rebuke by any stretch, I was simply projecting my yearning to call out the lack of diversity every chance I get, and at which I fail. My capacity to find the right words, as you are so gifted in doing, sometimes fails me. Apologies.
This prayer is holy fucking awesome.
Wow! You always impress me on how you can take an old story that I've heard a million times in church, like the miracle at Nain, and put such fresh meaning and hope into what Jesus wants to do for us Today! Thank you!
Nadia- This is the prayer that I needed to read and to pray, so thank you! And every word is true, heartfelt, reaches each one of us, lifts us, and gives the kick we need to hold hands with Jesus in this journey so He can pull us along when we feel like running away and giving up. Yes- help us rise up and clean our own lens so we can see where to rise up to!
Hallejuah and Amen to your prayer, Nadia!
Nadia
Just quick FYI. Conference in October!!!
Love you much!!
Not next week:)
As a registered attendee, with my flight and hotel long since booked for mid-October, that freaked me out a tiny bit, too!
Hahaha. Sorry folks, just not a very good details person...see you next month. Please come say hi!!
We see hopelessness when God knows the great things that are ahead. We are self critical when God sees beauty, talent, potential, strength...so much more than we are often willing to see within ourselves. What I love about this resurrection is that there's no demands. He is just simply given to his mother and cared for my her and God. It shows us that we don't have to earn God's love. Just because he loves us is enough of a reason to receive. Your prayer both challenges me and brings me peace. Thank you.
Good gracious. With the amount of times I have read and reread this, you’d think I’d be done crying about it but nope. 😭 Love this, love you, and so glad I’ll get to SEE YOU in a month. ❤️
Thank you all - seen and unseen, who presented this in my time of vulnerability and need. Thank you Nadia - I belong to no church or religion but frankly, you are beginning to sway me 🙏
Thank you again for words of hope. I do worry about the state of our country and of other countries that have too much hatred for other countries and people that are different then us, darker or lighter than us. This story does offer some hope. Jesus didn’t make any qualifications of the dead person, just rise up.
🙏🙏
That was powerful. Thank You!
How is it you know me so well?