Thank you for this! Sadly, when I read of Euodia and Syntyche, I first remember Charles Swindoll referring to them as "You're Odious" and "Soon Touchy" for a laugh at the 'common women's spats' in churches. 😬. And that kind of teaching tends to stick.
Thank you for bringing us back to the context of this section, and for reminding us of roles women did full in the church.
Timely post. I've been camping out in your book for awhile. Thank you for elevating the conflict of these two women above some sort of petty disagreement about setting the table. I can definitely see myself in conflict with JD Vance. Have a hard time envisioning him as a Christ follower. Can hardly wait for Beth Allison Barr's new book.
In the Joy section, I also appreciate the paragraph "At times we will need a therapist" ending with the possibility of medication. Preachers excel at demanding a "just stop" behavior applicaiton without the reality that people can't just stop, but need to do the hard pain filled work of reflection and confession. Often they show their ignornance of how we are designed, offer little about how to be in conversation productively and then wonder why people leave the church. (Thanks for your book Invisible Jesus.) And if people think they are going to learn how not to be anxious, don't pray for Grand Children. There's no greater powerless experience than having Grand Children. Actually, we ought to start prayer training courses for new Grand Parents.
Often the word unity get thrown out into the corporate conversation as a substitute word for silencing. Compliance. Unity is NOT compliance. Unity is the willingness to listen to an opposing view without the need for showing violence. Some of the best demonstrators are not Christians. Adam Grant has this practice of intentionally spending time with people who he disagrees with. In a curious, kind way. I would listen to him anyday over most "Christians". Opposition doesn't scare him. He doesn't get mad. He stays present and continues to think and speak.
Scot you ought to spend some time with Grant. He admits he knows little about Jesus, and he's driven to live a good life. Honest, compassionate, for the sake of other living. https://adamgrant.net/
Good. So challenging and good. My prayer concerns are for two people who love Jesus but are divided right now. At odds. I picture myself placing that concern in God's hands. When I start to pick it up again, I laugh.... how ridiculous to think I could "manage" it better than He? Thank you, Becky Castle Miller, for your reflection questions. Thank you, Scot, for this look at Philippians 4. It's been a blessing to me. As to what else helps with anxiety, I am thrilled with what the interpersonal neurobiologists are teaching us. Being strongly connected to and even reflecting over memories about very warm, accepting connecting moments with people can calm that vegas nerve. God's always known that, and I am grateful for how He has made us. He meant for us to be connected. Even our connection with our pets soothes our anxiety. In counseling I had a wonderful therapy dog whose awareness of what someone needed was beautiful to watch. He often sat at the feet of a client. I recall a day when a young woman was crying as she shared about sexual abuse. Henry was at her feet, but he slowly rose and laid his head on her knees. She petted him as she continued her story. I thank God for these animals of ours.
Thank you for this! Sadly, when I read of Euodia and Syntyche, I first remember Charles Swindoll referring to them as "You're Odious" and "Soon Touchy" for a laugh at the 'common women's spats' in churches. 😬. And that kind of teaching tends to stick.
Thank you for bringing us back to the context of this section, and for reminding us of roles women did full in the church.
I'm sorry to hear that he has said that.
* did fill in the church (not full!)
Timely post. I've been camping out in your book for awhile. Thank you for elevating the conflict of these two women above some sort of petty disagreement about setting the table. I can definitely see myself in conflict with JD Vance. Have a hard time envisioning him as a Christ follower. Can hardly wait for Beth Allison Barr's new book.
In the Joy section, I also appreciate the paragraph "At times we will need a therapist" ending with the possibility of medication. Preachers excel at demanding a "just stop" behavior applicaiton without the reality that people can't just stop, but need to do the hard pain filled work of reflection and confession. Often they show their ignornance of how we are designed, offer little about how to be in conversation productively and then wonder why people leave the church. (Thanks for your book Invisible Jesus.) And if people think they are going to learn how not to be anxious, don't pray for Grand Children. There's no greater powerless experience than having Grand Children. Actually, we ought to start prayer training courses for new Grand Parents.
Often the word unity get thrown out into the corporate conversation as a substitute word for silencing. Compliance. Unity is NOT compliance. Unity is the willingness to listen to an opposing view without the need for showing violence. Some of the best demonstrators are not Christians. Adam Grant has this practice of intentionally spending time with people who he disagrees with. In a curious, kind way. I would listen to him anyday over most "Christians". Opposition doesn't scare him. He doesn't get mad. He stays present and continues to think and speak.
Scot you ought to spend some time with Grant. He admits he knows little about Jesus, and he's driven to live a good life. Honest, compassionate, for the sake of other living. https://adamgrant.net/
Thanks Ginger. I admit to not having read Grant.
Good. So challenging and good. My prayer concerns are for two people who love Jesus but are divided right now. At odds. I picture myself placing that concern in God's hands. When I start to pick it up again, I laugh.... how ridiculous to think I could "manage" it better than He? Thank you, Becky Castle Miller, for your reflection questions. Thank you, Scot, for this look at Philippians 4. It's been a blessing to me. As to what else helps with anxiety, I am thrilled with what the interpersonal neurobiologists are teaching us. Being strongly connected to and even reflecting over memories about very warm, accepting connecting moments with people can calm that vegas nerve. God's always known that, and I am grateful for how He has made us. He meant for us to be connected. Even our connection with our pets soothes our anxiety. In counseling I had a wonderful therapy dog whose awareness of what someone needed was beautiful to watch. He often sat at the feet of a client. I recall a day when a young woman was crying as she shared about sexual abuse. Henry was at her feet, but he slowly rose and laid his head on her knees. She petted him as she continued her story. I thank God for these animals of ours.
https://adamyoungcounseling.com/trauma-and-your-nervous-system-the-neuroscience-of-healing-with-curt-thompson/
Thank you Scott and Becky