tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2920507061982445623.post2994297171952875590..comments2019-01-29T16:34:54.398-08:00Comments on Death Pastor: Truth in Love; Not Love in Truth – The Pain of Having to Believe Another’s LiesWm. Darius Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00343705324859085642noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2920507061982445623.post-25672038052672945512014-10-28T16:32:00.786-07:002014-10-28T16:32:00.786-07:00Thanks, Chris, for the comment. The unique challen...Thanks, Chris, for the comment. The unique challenges you face, along with the unique perspectives you can provide, are invaluable to your congregation's growth toward that authenticity. Of course, it has to start with someone, and the authenticity and transparency DO certainly bring about significant vulnerabilities. But whether in the domestic violence, child custody, infant-heart-transplant, sexual abuse, or other cases in our own ministry, I hesitate to set the burden of openness on shoulders that are already stacked-to-the-rafters. Still, as much as I can model it, and create a safe environment for it, and encourage others to elicit and support it...it fall to those who are living in and through the circumstances to trust Christ sufficiently to trust us with the reality of their stories. In just the brief interactions I've been privileged to have with you, I feel that I at least know better how little I really know (and I've picked up one or two bits of how better to pray, even at such geographic distance). With a couple of our families, in particular, though, I would add that our burden-bearing grows not only out of that divine sense of love and gratitude, but from an awe at what grace and mercy are on display in the resilience, courage, and simple perseverance I see in several of the families I am privileged to serve here. Thanks again!Wm. Darius Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00343705324859085642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2920507061982445623.post-90911228504982041862014-10-28T10:13:46.041-07:002014-10-28T10:13:46.041-07:00Bill... thought provoking as always. The time and ...Bill... thought provoking as always. The time and commitment to delve deeper into one another's lies to get at true transparency is indeed costly. As I have resorted to being more painfully honest in replying to the "How are you?" question, I am noticing about a 30% positive response rate to this raw personal disclosure. That is a lot better than I could have hoped for. As I let people in on the pain generated in a household that contains an emotionally disregulated child, most don't know how to process it. I long for the church to be an authentic place where the people of Christ truly bear one another's burdens, not out of duty, but out of a divine sense of love and gratitude.Chris Haugheehttp://www.fullhousewithaces.comnoreply@blogger.com