Dear Miss Stone. I was in Viet Nam. There are no atheists in combat. There are two names that are called out. God and Jesus Christ. Sometimes Mom. But, mom is 15,000 miles away. God and Jesus are always closer. I know that because I should have been dead , too many times for a 19 year old. He saved me.
Christianity rests on the apostlesā testimony of that they encountered in the risen Christānot in a vision, but physically: they saw Him, often individually, touched Him, spoke with Him, and even ate meals with Him.
The apostles individually maintained this testimony despite persecution, suffering, and enduring brutal executions rather than recant what they claimed to have witnessed.
Without the Resurrection, there is no Christianity.
It is not a symbolic mythical story; it is the central event upon which the entire Christian faith stands.
None of which is diligently and continuously taught in most modern churches.
This was an interesting discussion that I hope you continue to explore. I believe all the apostles but John (natural death) were killed for not recanting their faith & for telling the truth of their experiences both before & after the Resurrection. 11 Martyred for their faith, in the most gruesome ways possible. You donāt face those horrific circumstances & not recant without absolute faith in what you knew & experienced with Jesus. Study the Bible, maybe start with the Gospels & learn about the new Covenant. There are so many passages in the Old Testament that for told of Jesus, itās all so interesting.
Don't stress, Sasha. You have a seeker's heart. God will give you the time and the guidance to get where you need to go.
My story isn't too different from your friend's here but it took me a lot longer to come back, but God set up the right set of circumstances to guide me back.
I prefer to read text, if you have a transcript, because I am able to fully grasp all that is said. Most times I require being able to read and reread before fully understanding.
This is awesome news from you, Sasha. Keep going, keep talking to people with faith, read the Bible. Get involved in a weekly Bible study. Better yet, listen to Josh Howerton's weekly podcast called "Live Free." He's the pastor of Lake Pointe Church in Dallas and he's terrific. Just try him out once.
Ooooh! Me likey like! Gonna finish cutting the grass with this playing.
Sasha...this might be a great topic to add to your rotation. You've been dancing around this since '24 by my reckoning. I hope this becomes a regular post!
Louis, you are right about Elohim being plural; but, you failed to realize doesnāt mean there are other Gods=they are false gods. Read Genesis 1 about the 6th day of CreationāGod said: āLet āUSā create Man in Our Imageā¦who do you do you believe the US isāOne God the father, God the Som and God, the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28) it defines US as (The Trinity)āOne God, World without endā. Our God is plural.
You might enjoy Justine Bateman's recent series "Bible Bites". That said, my return to The Church has led me down all kinds of new roads emotionally and mentally in good ways. Does it make me question things even more? Sometimes. But, Wow, has it helped me move forward in the knowledge of who I am and what I desire and how blessed and grateful I am.
A very enjoyable podcast. No epiphanies. Just two people honestly, generously and humbly sharing their experiences. Iām 68. I can honestly, generously and humbly say that having God āin my cornerā - even during times that I wasnāt even aware or even thankful of that fact - has been the overwhelming miracle of my life.
Hey Sasha, I know we have our disagreements but I, a wretched sinner, will give you the sincere and humble advice I give my children and grandchildren: embrace the Roman Catholic Church. Itās the earliest and true Christian Church and though far from perfect like all religions, Christian or otherwise, I firmly believe in its sacraments and traditions. Also, as you noted, and not to be critical, but we really do not know the hour that weāll be called, but we can reasonably assume that the older we get, the close it gets. Regardless of what you choose, I have said a prayer to Saint Monica for you and a prayer to Saint Francis for Jasper.
The one, holy, catholic and Orthodox Church is the original Church from which the Roman Catholic Church departed in the 11th century demanding that the Eastern Churches of the Pentarchy submit to the Western Patriarch, the pope of Rome. The insistence of Papal supremacy divided what was heretofore one Catholic and Orthodox Church.
Sasha, my father was a rabid atheist who disdained all religion even to his death bed. I started attending Episcopal services about 10 years ago. I like the people, from a number of churches Iāve attended, and the message is important. If it feels comfortable try it out. No obligation, pressure or commitment.
One church I attended after my move in January sent busses to a No Kings rally but the next church doesnāt touch politics. All good.
Wow, Sasha, Iām hooked! Just started following your Substack a while ago as it appeared youād begun to turn a corner to āthe rightāāwhatever that means todayā¦not really sureā¦to me it speaks of conservative, Biblically sound valuesā(or perhaps youāve just begun to choose āthe narrow pathā), and I also just subscribed to Jerm in order to follow the new podcastāwhich I hope you continue to be a part ofāThe Honest Disciple.
As a follower of Jesus (the) Christ (the one true Jewish Messiah), I am thrilled that you are seeking (The One True) God, and excited that you and your dear friend Jerm are embarking on this new quest together. The Bible (both Old Testament and New Testament) teaches that God calls each of us to relationship with Him, and only in this calling do we desire to seek Him (though many tragically choose to deny that calling so long that eventually they cannot hear it anymore) and when we do (honestly and openly) seek Him and study His Wordāthe Holy Spirit-inspired Scripturesāwe will find Him already there with Open and indescribably Loving Arms. As fellow Christians this is our prayer for you, and for the future listeners and readers of yours and Jermās Substacks and new Podcast ā¤ļøš
Oh, and btw, I am a late 1950s baby (a bit older than you) and child of a very conservative āold schoolā So Baptist Pastor father and dedicated mom. I did not appreciate my upbringing as I questioned life and values in my late teens and twenties, but I thank God daily for their loving, dedicated service of God, our family, and our country (Dad was Navy as a young man, then army Chaplain during the Vietnam conflict, serving one full tour of duty there while mom raised three rambunctious girls). Soā¦I can relate to Jermās upbringing even though heās apparently MUCH youngerā¦I graduated in 1976 (the Bicentennial!) and voted for Carter (!!!)āwe were still Democrats then but came to our senses soon afterāthe year I turned 18 (mine was a āmind full of mushā back thenāand yes, my husband and I loved dear Rush and started listening to him between 1984-85 early in our marriageāand were thrilled to hear he accepted and publicly acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Savior before he passed onā¦and weāre sure he now knows that his great talent was truly āon loan from God.ā)
Well Iāve rambled on enoughāI love Substackās comments sections, can you tell?āthough I donāt often go on at this length, thankfully. I already pay to support several conservative Substacks, but plan to see if I can work both of yours into our budget in the near future.
Thank you both for doing what God has gifted you each to do! My prayers are with you. ā¤ļøšā¤ļø
Dear Miss Stone. I was in Viet Nam. There are no atheists in combat. There are two names that are called out. God and Jesus Christ. Sometimes Mom. But, mom is 15,000 miles away. God and Jesus are always closer. I know that because I should have been dead , too many times for a 19 year old. He saved me.
Thanks for listening to the podcast, and thank you for your service!
Iām sure you have many stories to tell, God allowed you to live to tell them.
God bless!
šš¼ā„ļø
āFor there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesusā.
1 Timothy 2:5
Christianity rests on the apostlesā testimony of that they encountered in the risen Christānot in a vision, but physically: they saw Him, often individually, touched Him, spoke with Him, and even ate meals with Him.
The apostles individually maintained this testimony despite persecution, suffering, and enduring brutal executions rather than recant what they claimed to have witnessed.
Without the Resurrection, there is no Christianity.
It is not a symbolic mythical story; it is the central event upon which the entire Christian faith stands.
None of which is diligently and continuously taught in most modern churches.
This was an interesting discussion that I hope you continue to explore. I believe all the apostles but John (natural death) were killed for not recanting their faith & for telling the truth of their experiences both before & after the Resurrection. 11 Martyred for their faith, in the most gruesome ways possible. You donāt face those horrific circumstances & not recant without absolute faith in what you knew & experienced with Jesus. Study the Bible, maybe start with the Gospels & learn about the new Covenant. There are so many passages in the Old Testament that for told of Jesus, itās all so interesting.
Correct, John the Apostle was not martyred. John the Baptist was martyred.
Please share your most critical pieces of evidence demonstrating the Resurrection actually occurred.
What would you consider as "evidence"?
Have you read about or seen the Shroud of Turin?
Yes, read about it. Itās very interesting & worth looking into.
Dena - please share other evidence of the Resurrection.
Great conversation. Thanks for being transparent and vulnerable. It is a great strength. Qualifies you to be REALš¤©.
Don't stress, Sasha. You have a seeker's heart. God will give you the time and the guidance to get where you need to go.
My story isn't too different from your friend's here but it took me a lot longer to come back, but God set up the right set of circumstances to guide me back.
I prefer to read text, if you have a transcript, because I am able to fully grasp all that is said. Most times I require being able to read and reread before fully understanding.
This is awesome news from you, Sasha. Keep going, keep talking to people with faith, read the Bible. Get involved in a weekly Bible study. Better yet, listen to Josh Howerton's weekly podcast called "Live Free." He's the pastor of Lake Pointe Church in Dallas and he's terrific. Just try him out once.
It is not you seeking Christ.
It is Christ seeking you.
Ooooh! Me likey like! Gonna finish cutting the grass with this playing.
Sasha...this might be a great topic to add to your rotation. You've been dancing around this since '24 by my reckoning. I hope this becomes a regular post!
Perfect timing!
Louis, you are right about Elohim being plural; but, you failed to realize doesnāt mean there are other Gods=they are false gods. Read Genesis 1 about the 6th day of CreationāGod said: āLet āUSā create Man in Our Imageā¦who do you do you believe the US isāOne God the father, God the Som and God, the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28) it defines US as (The Trinity)āOne God, World without endā. Our God is plural.
Una substancia, tres personae. One substance (or essence), three persons. That is our Holy Trinity.
You might enjoy Justine Bateman's recent series "Bible Bites". That said, my return to The Church has led me down all kinds of new roads emotionally and mentally in good ways. Does it make me question things even more? Sometimes. But, Wow, has it helped me move forward in the knowledge of who I am and what I desire and how blessed and grateful I am.
PS Get the puppy, Jerm! :)
A very enjoyable podcast. No epiphanies. Just two people honestly, generously and humbly sharing their experiences. Iām 68. I can honestly, generously and humbly say that having God āin my cornerā - even during times that I wasnāt even aware or even thankful of that fact - has been the overwhelming miracle of my life.
Hey Sasha, I know we have our disagreements but I, a wretched sinner, will give you the sincere and humble advice I give my children and grandchildren: embrace the Roman Catholic Church. Itās the earliest and true Christian Church and though far from perfect like all religions, Christian or otherwise, I firmly believe in its sacraments and traditions. Also, as you noted, and not to be critical, but we really do not know the hour that weāll be called, but we can reasonably assume that the older we get, the close it gets. Regardless of what you choose, I have said a prayer to Saint Monica for you and a prayer to Saint Francis for Jasper.
The one, holy, catholic and Orthodox Church is the original Church from which the Roman Catholic Church departed in the 11th century demanding that the Eastern Churches of the Pentarchy submit to the Western Patriarch, the pope of Rome. The insistence of Papal supremacy divided what was heretofore one Catholic and Orthodox Church.
Really? I didnāt know that!
Sasha, my father was a rabid atheist who disdained all religion even to his death bed. I started attending Episcopal services about 10 years ago. I like the people, from a number of churches Iāve attended, and the message is important. If it feels comfortable try it out. No obligation, pressure or commitment.
One church I attended after my move in January sent busses to a No Kings rally but the next church doesnāt touch politics. All good.
Wow, Sasha, Iām hooked! Just started following your Substack a while ago as it appeared youād begun to turn a corner to āthe rightāāwhatever that means todayā¦not really sureā¦to me it speaks of conservative, Biblically sound valuesā(or perhaps youāve just begun to choose āthe narrow pathā), and I also just subscribed to Jerm in order to follow the new podcastāwhich I hope you continue to be a part ofāThe Honest Disciple.
As a follower of Jesus (the) Christ (the one true Jewish Messiah), I am thrilled that you are seeking (The One True) God, and excited that you and your dear friend Jerm are embarking on this new quest together. The Bible (both Old Testament and New Testament) teaches that God calls each of us to relationship with Him, and only in this calling do we desire to seek Him (though many tragically choose to deny that calling so long that eventually they cannot hear it anymore) and when we do (honestly and openly) seek Him and study His Wordāthe Holy Spirit-inspired Scripturesāwe will find Him already there with Open and indescribably Loving Arms. As fellow Christians this is our prayer for you, and for the future listeners and readers of yours and Jermās Substacks and new Podcast ā¤ļøš
Oh, and btw, I am a late 1950s baby (a bit older than you) and child of a very conservative āold schoolā So Baptist Pastor father and dedicated mom. I did not appreciate my upbringing as I questioned life and values in my late teens and twenties, but I thank God daily for their loving, dedicated service of God, our family, and our country (Dad was Navy as a young man, then army Chaplain during the Vietnam conflict, serving one full tour of duty there while mom raised three rambunctious girls). Soā¦I can relate to Jermās upbringing even though heās apparently MUCH youngerā¦I graduated in 1976 (the Bicentennial!) and voted for Carter (!!!)āwe were still Democrats then but came to our senses soon afterāthe year I turned 18 (mine was a āmind full of mushā back thenāand yes, my husband and I loved dear Rush and started listening to him between 1984-85 early in our marriageāand were thrilled to hear he accepted and publicly acknowledged Jesus as Lord and Savior before he passed onā¦and weāre sure he now knows that his great talent was truly āon loan from God.ā)
Well Iāve rambled on enoughāI love Substackās comments sections, can you tell?āthough I donāt often go on at this length, thankfully. I already pay to support several conservative Substacks, but plan to see if I can work both of yours into our budget in the near future.
Thank you both for doing what God has gifted you each to do! My prayers are with you. ā¤ļøšā¤ļø