This post is probably the most difficult one I’ve written. It’s a decision upon which I have reflected, prayed and wrestled for almost a year. Yet, as time passes, I am increasingly convinced that it’s time to close the door on this blog.
I began this blog in March 2003 as our family left professional ministry and embarked on a journey of theological exploration. This blog has recorded our joys and struggles as we explored a different form of Christian community. It has allowed me to deconstruct and reconstruct my theology and wrestle with my new identity outside of professional ministry. It has marked special events in our family’s life. And recently, it has recorded our family’s journey into the Holy Orthodox Church.
So why am I ending this blog?
There are a several reasons, but I won’t bore you with the details. Ultimately I believe I’m entering a time when my voice needs to be silent. For me, this blog has been a platform to share what I’ve learned and experienced as well as serving as a catalyst for conversations beyond my local relationships. During the past seven years, I have thoroughly enjoyed writing as well as participating in the conversations that various posts have sparked. I am blessed by the number of people who have contacted me to share their stories. I’m always startled by God’s grace and love in the midst of every person’s journey, struggles and joys. I feel like I was blessed with the rare opportunities to witness firsthand the remarkable transformations of faith as people searched for something deeper and more meaningful than their current church experiences.
But it’s now time for me to be quiet. And I had a choice to make. I could have simply stopped writing posts and let this blog fade away. However, as I’ve grown a bit older, I’ve realized that marking significant events has become increasingly important to me.
This blog has been a very n0table part of my life and I would have regretted not marking my decision to end it. This blog has sustained me for the last several years. It has been my journal and sounding board, allowing me to process my wounds, my theology and my journey. There are probably as many unpublished posts as published ones. But the discipline of writing all of them with prayer, reflection and discernment has been an essential part of the overall formative process in my journey. So because this blog has meant so much to me, I need closure.
As I say goodbye to this blog, some thanks are in order. First, I want to thank everyone who participated in our house church community — Mark, Barbara, Dan, Kerri, David, Jennifer, Angela, Gary, Anne, Thomas, Erika, Billy, Carol, Alan, Maribeth, Debbie and all of the kids and friends who been part of our extended family.
I also want to thank Steve for being a great friend and pastor to me through those house church years. And I want to thank David for being such a profound influence in my movement toward Orthodoxy.
While this blog comes to an end, my life-goals remain the same. I simply want to be a good man, husband, father and friend. I want to embody, demonstrate and announce Christ’s life and love to the best of my abilities. I want to incarnate Christ’s presence in a simple, quiet way to the people I love so that they may grow and excel in God’s life. In some small way, I want to follow St Seraphim of Sarov’s words, “Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved.”
I want to thank all of you who have taken time to read my posts, leave comments, say prayers for my family, and be a little part of our journey. May God lead you ever further into his life, love and likeness.
Goodbye.
Journeying Home 
Thanks for sharing your heart with all of us for so many years.
Thanks in return for being there through it all. It was a wild ride at times, wasn’t it?
Jason, I am gonna miss your voice – especially in terms of hearing & learning about your journey into Orthodoxy. Hope the loss compels me to do better in staying in more personal touch with you. Peace.
Thanks, JR. Your blog is one I still follow faithfully and I pray for you and Amy regularly.
Jason,
I will miss your postings – I have enjoyed being a part of your journey(s).
Peace to you and your family.
Thank you, John. I am very encouraged by your words. Thanks for being part of my family’s adventures through this blog.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey. Grace and peace to you and your family.
Hi George. Thank you so much for your comment and for taking time to join our family’s endeavors through this blog.
Jason,
Christ is risen!
Thank you for the good words you shared over the last couple of years I have known you. I do believe that our relationship is just getting started and look forward to many times together talking about “the good things of Jerusalem.”
Your swan song actually provokes me to get started with my blog. There have been so many demands on my time… I must make some decisions.
Again, thank you and may you and your family be blessed!
Fr Patrick
Fr Patrick,
Thank you for your comments. And as I’ve said before and will continue saying, thank you for being such a wonderful spiritual father to my family and me. Your love and care for us is very evident.
Thanks Jason. I resonate with your thoughts on the need to be silent. I’m thankful for the influence and inspiration you’ve been in my life!
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
Hey David! Thank you for all of your guidance and help as our family transitioned to the life of Christ in Orthodoxy. You too have been very influential in my life and I am very thankful at how our friendship has developed over the past several years.
Thanks for sharing it all, Jason. I know it has helped people. For myself, I happened on the blog just as I was making the turn to Orthodoxy. You having been essentially where I had been helped me feel not crazy 🙂 and being a few steps ahead of me gave me hope. So thank you.
If you get up to NoCal, perhaps we could meet ftf sometime. Christ is in our midst!
Dana
Hi Dana. Thank you for your comment. I have enjoyed our conversation in the past and I hope we can have future conversations either by email or Facebook. Thanks visiting my blog and sharing your journey.
I just happened upon your blog. I am a Greek Orthodox Christian from birth (don’t let the name fool you-it is my married name). My husband converted from Hinduism to Orthodoxy. I’m very happy to have read your blog, it made me tear up to have someone write and express your journey so well and with such emotion and beauty. My only regret is not seeing your blog sooner. I feel like I know you after your blog, so may God grant you peace. Thank you for letting people such as myself journey into your heart.
Hi Maria. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment. I’m always amazed at how God journeys with each of us. And while each journey is unique, God’s loving presence is the constant thread that stitches us all together. May God also grant you and your husband grace and peace as you both continue to follow Him.
Jason this is a late reply. But it was the open enthusiasm you shared in your blog that made me appreciate Mission more. This approach that you blogged about had more to do with agreeing with your welcoming commentary on basic practices within a foreign church.
And you brought your family involved even with all the baggage it would’ve been problematic but they made it comfortable for them that takes time. And for that thanks for sharing your bloglife on a Mac.