Beautiful, Tommy. Deeply touched and humbled by your insights. Thorough, kind, thoughtful, dogmatically complete. A mystery laid bare by the sheer weight of your heart’s purpose. So humbly proud to call you my son. Love Dad
I could sense you getting closer and closer to this point as I followed your writing since your time in Thailand... but glad that you've made a faith decision brother. It only gets harder, more demanding, more awful, more wonderful from here. And we are shoulder to shoulder as we walk.
Perhaps the best article I have ever read on Substack. I had a similar experience to you, I also learned personally how Jesus provides long term peace that I could never find on my own. I learned a lot from reading William Lane Craig as well.
This made me cry (in a reflective way). I have so much to think about. I had never found the way I was trying to live to be compatible with Christainity, but many of my stubborn aversions have just been wiped away. I wonder where I will go from here. Thank you.
congratulations on your baptism, tommy! i've always liked your writing and this piece was an exceptional and raw one to read. i pray your faith in the Lord grows as you continue walking with him, and i thank you for your testimony :")
Captivated as I read this. Took copious notes for the next time we can have a conversation. Appreciate you sharing this intimate story and contributing to the books about him that will overflow the world. John 23:25
You are a remarkable human Tommy, before, and more so with the Lord flowing within you. An astonishing piece of writing…and I’m only halfway through it. I love you, pal.
I will read this many times. I don't believe it accident that it appeared on my feed when it did. Thank you for your courage and vulnerability. Best piece I've ever read on Substack.
One of the most comprehensive explorations of faith I've read in recent memory... In it I see someone who has grappled and wrestled with the full weight of crushing doubt and emptiness, and found his burden lifted by the infinite mercy and love of Christ
I have shared your writing with others who are struggling with their faith, and I am sure that through it many will see the true beauty and light of the Gospel
May the Lord use you and shape you for His glory, until we see Him face to face
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I started reading this morning and have been coming back to it all day when I’ve had a few minutes here and there. You’ve expressed the heart of Christianity so beautifully and thoroughly, and I have been truly refreshed and encouraged by reading it.
Wow. I completely changed my morning's plans to read and sit with this, it's been a while since I've been so compelled to do something I shift everything around it. I read it over my coffee, then sitting in the park in the sunshine.
I have always believed in something more but it is only now nearing my mid 30's that it's becoming impossible not to let it spill out of me publicly. I spent too long pretending to be dry and academic and almost using mentally ill as a badge of "I know better" because this world is so dark the people made sick by it must know more about it's darkness right?
But that's not what I really believe, I know that. This line really got me...
'And I find the narrative of cosmic meaninglessness deeply wrong and strangely offensive.'
Wow, I’ll need to return to this time and time again. The more I read, the more I recognized the wooing of the Holy Spirit. And I connect all too well with the moments of doubt and tiredness that spring up even after putting your trust in God, and the desire to have everything be neat with low stakes again. The Lord is so very good throughout it all.
Reading this made me grateful for how I can take and take from God, and He’s never diminished by this while I am full. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful, Tommy. Deeply touched and humbled by your insights. Thorough, kind, thoughtful, dogmatically complete. A mystery laid bare by the sheer weight of your heart’s purpose. So humbly proud to call you my son. Love Dad
I could sense you getting closer and closer to this point as I followed your writing since your time in Thailand... but glad that you've made a faith decision brother. It only gets harder, more demanding, more awful, more wonderful from here. And we are shoulder to shoulder as we walk.
well said
Perhaps the best article I have ever read on Substack. I had a similar experience to you, I also learned personally how Jesus provides long term peace that I could never find on my own. I learned a lot from reading William Lane Craig as well.
This made me cry (in a reflective way). I have so much to think about. I had never found the way I was trying to live to be compatible with Christainity, but many of my stubborn aversions have just been wiped away. I wonder where I will go from here. Thank you.
congratulations on your baptism, tommy! i've always liked your writing and this piece was an exceptional and raw one to read. i pray your faith in the Lord grows as you continue walking with him, and i thank you for your testimony :")
This hit me at just the right time. Stopped me in my tracks and read it all in one sitting. Thank you for sharing it, Tommy!
I love many of your writings, but this is my absolute favorite one 💜.
Captivated as I read this. Took copious notes for the next time we can have a conversation. Appreciate you sharing this intimate story and contributing to the books about him that will overflow the world. John 23:25
You are a remarkable human Tommy, before, and more so with the Lord flowing within you. An astonishing piece of writing…and I’m only halfway through it. I love you, pal.
This is an amazing piece my friend
I will read this many times. I don't believe it accident that it appeared on my feed when it did. Thank you for your courage and vulnerability. Best piece I've ever read on Substack.
One of the most comprehensive explorations of faith I've read in recent memory... In it I see someone who has grappled and wrestled with the full weight of crushing doubt and emptiness, and found his burden lifted by the infinite mercy and love of Christ
I have shared your writing with others who are struggling with their faith, and I am sure that through it many will see the true beauty and light of the Gospel
May the Lord use you and shape you for His glory, until we see Him face to face
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I started reading this morning and have been coming back to it all day when I’ve had a few minutes here and there. You’ve expressed the heart of Christianity so beautifully and thoroughly, and I have been truly refreshed and encouraged by reading it.
Wow. I completely changed my morning's plans to read and sit with this, it's been a while since I've been so compelled to do something I shift everything around it. I read it over my coffee, then sitting in the park in the sunshine.
I have always believed in something more but it is only now nearing my mid 30's that it's becoming impossible not to let it spill out of me publicly. I spent too long pretending to be dry and academic and almost using mentally ill as a badge of "I know better" because this world is so dark the people made sick by it must know more about it's darkness right?
But that's not what I really believe, I know that. This line really got me...
'And I find the narrative of cosmic meaninglessness deeply wrong and strangely offensive.'
I have so much to think about after reading this.
Thank you, Tommy
Wow, I’ll need to return to this time and time again. The more I read, the more I recognized the wooing of the Holy Spirit. And I connect all too well with the moments of doubt and tiredness that spring up even after putting your trust in God, and the desire to have everything be neat with low stakes again. The Lord is so very good throughout it all.
Reading this made me grateful for how I can take and take from God, and He’s never diminished by this while I am full. Thank you for sharing!
Stunning piece. Thank you for your vulnerability and care in sharing it. I deeply felt your words and testimony ❤️🩹❤️