tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post7652998429775804318..comments2008-04-09T20:17:24.674-07:00Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-67052780483689965212008-04-09T20:17:00.000-07:002008-04-09T20:17:00.000-07:00Sue - You are always so encouraging! You are right, you know...it is going to be beautiful.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-38250639320096098282008-04-09T16:42:00.000-07:002008-04-09T16:42:00.000-07:00Erin said: "Yeah, I'm a bit of a rebel, too, but I definitely didn't sign up for this (signed up for every other damn ministry, but not this one)".<BR/><BR/>*sigh* Yes. It's hard going where you never signed up for, isn't it. BUT the fruit that comes out of this experience reverberates forever. This time in your life is producing stuff you can't even see yet dude and it's gonna be beeyootiful. Just watch :)Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01122659239039900398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-25223480110896023692008-04-08T21:26:00.000-07:002008-04-08T21:26:00.000-07:00You're welcome, Rainer. Glad you caught wind of this synchroblog and decided to participate.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-34602184649795537052008-04-08T07:38:00.000-07:002008-04-08T07:38:00.000-07:00Erin,<BR/><BR/>Thank You!Rainerhttp://oddideas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-16053455257357389612008-04-07T22:25:00.000-07:002008-04-07T22:25:00.000-07:00Alan - You are absolutely right...I'll tell you, when I left church and was convinced I was spiritually doomed, I found all these other people on the net who had left church for many of the same reasons I did...and they reassured me that one could have a life with Christ without church, if not forever, at least for a season. <BR/><BR/>It was incredibly encouraging to me.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-26705799688443426102008-04-07T19:23:00.000-07:002008-04-07T19:23:00.000-07:00Great post, Erin! I agree that your "needs" list is very important. If I were to add anything, I would say that we need examples... living, breathing examples to follow, not people to get behind us and push, but those who are walking ahead that can show us how to try, succeed, fail, and try again.<BR/><BR/>-AlanAlan Knoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07452247058550736803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-5077245187840094912008-04-07T16:33:00.000-07:002008-04-07T16:33:00.000-07:00Erin- That is one of the re-occurring themes. I think I will post those themes soon.glennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14924305177356310590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-710302351793486152008-04-07T16:31:00.000-07:002008-04-07T16:31:00.000-07:00Kathy - Remember, you're not on this journey alone...God brings people around us all the time, we just have to see them.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-28562464712658446542008-04-07T16:29:00.000-07:002008-04-07T16:29:00.000-07:00Thanks Jonathan! I think we all want things to change NOW, but the world doesn't work that way.<BR/><BR/>And as my friend Pam's friend <A HREF="http://godmessedmeup.blogspot.com/2008/03/ken-loyds-ministry-strategy-doing.html" REL="nofollow">Ken Loyd says</A>..."Do nothing special till you're dead".Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-2236747648757399502008-04-07T16:26:00.000-07:002008-04-07T16:26:00.000-07:00Glenn - Yeah, I'm a bit of a rebel, too, but I definitely didn't sign up for this (signed up for every other damn ministry, but not this one)...it's hard, but for me it was easier than staying...and I have peace with it now. I don't know what the future holds, I've stopped worrying about it. It is whatever God makes it, I'm just along for the ride.<BR/><BR/>I do think I am seeing a pattern in these posts, Glenn. People want PEOPLE...a way to find real life people in their area who are on the same journey. I don't know how to make that happen, but I wanted to mention it to you.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-7557545657607914772008-04-07T16:22:00.000-07:002008-04-07T16:22:00.000-07:00Ché - I hear ya. I pray that for those of you who don't have it - skin friends who can understand and accept you...it's so important.<BR/><BR/>And one of the other bloggers...um, it was <A HREF="http://assembling.blogspot.com/2008/04/revolutionary-who-me.html" REL="nofollow">Alan </A> said something about looking to see what God is doing...I know that's not a new concept, but it was a reminder for me that God is always a step ahead...aligning the planets or whatever...so that we will meet the people we need to. <BR/><BR/>Maybe someone there's at your new job you're supposed to meet? Who knows...Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-23249399834793556202008-04-07T16:17:00.000-07:002008-04-07T16:17:00.000-07:00Cindy - Well, I have skin! <BR/><BR/>Seriously, I completely understand the need for RL friends who can journey with you. I know if I hadn't met Pam I would have missed out on tremendous growth opportunities, not just because of her (as special as she is) but because of the people and ideas I have been exposed to because I met her. It's invaluable to me.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-91346919538402425662008-04-07T10:31:00.000-07:002008-04-07T10:31:00.000-07:00love, love, love it, the what pioneers need list made me cry. thanks erin, for getting it and passing it on to those of us who need to be reminded.kathyescobarhttp://www.kathyescobar.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-16361127219784860702008-04-07T10:12:00.000-07:002008-04-07T10:12:00.000-07:00Nice words.<BR/><BR/>You said, "Pioneers need to be reassured that they don't have to revolutionize the world in a single day"<BR/><BR/>As Shane Claiborne says, "God is inviting us to do something really, really small."Jonathan Brinkhttp://jonathanbrink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-11495307944514735082008-04-07T09:46:00.000-07:002008-04-07T09:46:00.000-07:00Erin ~ <BR/><BR/>I feel like a cross between reluctant pioneer and someone who is a rebel at heart. Since I didn't exactly sign up for the pioneer thing, I was shocked that it was so damn hard and lonely. I am just starting to accept it as my pioneer identity and beginning to feel at ease with it. <BR/><BR/>You did a beautiful job tackling the needs of the pioneers. When I think about it, those needs are pretty much human needs. It is just that pioneers tend to be ostracized, rather than supported. I would like to a part of changing that.<BR/><BR/>Beautiful job!glennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14924305177356310590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-7548676248306179212008-04-07T07:50:00.000-07:002008-04-07T07:50:00.000-07:00Erin, great post...timely too.<BR/>Like others have stated, I didn't realize that I needed reassurance..until I received it.<BR/>I just wrote last night about some similar stuff...<BR/>It's reassuring to realize that even when I'm walking kinda alone, God intersects my life with others..for encouragement, and building up.<BR/>I feel what Cindy feels...just having some people with skin on, doing the affirming thing would be awesome....Ché Vachonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15721110123682449128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-89477416866325018142008-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:002008-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:00erin-<BR/>great post! i'll get back to that. but first-- years ago keith coined the term "sucks green pond scum." It might just add a little of the oomph you're looking for here.<BR/><BR/>now- back to the post. <BR/>like sue, i guess needed more reassuring than i realized. i also (especially) need reassurance from people with skin on. that's the hard part, because i don't get that. i mean- i get encouragement for some <I>things that i do</I>, but not reassurance that my changing attitudes about church don't make me a freak. there's no one in my skin world who reassures me of that and it's getting pretty @$#%^@! old. so yes- a network. hell, just one person with a face- to tell me I'm okay would be like a miracle right now. <BR/><BR/>erin- it's a great post. i think it really hit a (duh) nerve for me this morning!Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16015836604614281485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-86272121072421720312008-04-07T06:46:00.000-07:002008-04-07T06:46:00.000-07:00Jeff - You are too kind. Actually this post is a product of writing at midnight...seems to be my most inspired time, when I can barely keep my eyes open, go figure. But I'm glad it was helpful to some people.<BR/><BR/>Can't wait to read your post.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-37437263812817475562008-04-07T06:45:00.000-07:002008-04-07T06:45:00.000-07:00Thanks Grace. I often think there is probably a harsher word for it than "sucks", but that's what I chose for the moment ;-)<BR/><BR/>It's the validation that is the real key. If I hadn't found all you guys out here in blogland, I think I would have felt entirely crazy.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-77371950894717570482008-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:002008-04-07T06:42:00.000-07:00Tracy - Yeah, it is definitely a mapless journey. I have <A HREF="http://www.erinword.com/2008/01/early-grave-better-land.html" REL="nofollow">written about that</A> before too, because it's so very true.<BR/><BR/>You are right, I did forget to include something about God loving the pioneer....after all God's story is full of them. And they often didn't accomplish what they set out to do, instead they accomplished just what God intended for them to.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-71678505688077756762008-04-07T06:38:00.000-07:002008-04-07T06:38:00.000-07:00Thanks, Sue, We all need encouraging, I think. Being a heretic is hard work. It requires stamina and a big macheté.<BR/><BR/>I love this <I>"not to doubt in the dark what you heard in the light."</I> That's amazing. And so true.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01067954787472463337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-40753200122764784702008-04-07T06:08:00.000-07:002008-04-07T06:08:00.000-07:00I think your "needs" segment hits it out of the ballpark.<BR/><BR/>Great Words, but they come from you, so that should not be a surprise.Jeff Greathousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11658741692973255432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-15418748138921868502008-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:002008-04-07T06:00:00.000-07:00Erin,<BR/>Thanks for keeping it real. It does mostly suck, and I often feel afraid for others entering into the journey. <BR/><BR/>I am not sure that we can or should prevent the difficulty of the process because it is part of what God uses to change and shape us. I think that companionship, validation, and reassurance from others are most important.gracehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16458658959357581120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-43335263829199215452008-04-07T03:57:00.000-07:002008-04-07T03:57:00.000-07:00Wow, Erin! Just take my breath away, woman! <BR/><BR/>One more thing that came to my mind immediately when I read your list was that Pioneers need to be reminded that God loves a pioneer! He sees their heart, hungering and thirsting for more of "the real." I know for me, even when I'm heading in the wrong direction (as Pam Hogewide has said before, there's no map for this journey), I feel His good pleasure that my heart's motive is to live more inside "the real." I feel His pleasure and joy at my willingness to even step out and take risks, even if the adventure at hand ends up "failing." That reminder helps me to pick myself up from where I've fallen and get back to the journey at hand.Tracy Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17636022373370290350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16714549.post-80651083236937615282008-04-07T03:11:00.000-07:002008-04-07T03:11:00.000-07:00I didn't realise I needed reassiromg until I read this post. And then I felt reassured.<BR/><BR/>That's the biggest thing for me. Just the encouragement to keep moving forward. And the reminder to not doubt in the dark what you heard in the light.<BR/><BR/>Good stuff.Suehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01122659239039900398noreply@blogger.com