October’s Recommended Reading
Heartache of Promise: A Prison of Silence Unlocked
by Merita Atherly Engen
A compelling critique of purity culture and the silence it imposes on countless individuals, woven through one woman’s deeply personal journey to liberation.
Can a lost self ever be restored?
Rose-Marie Clarke lives in a culture of silence and “perfection” with an undertow of family secrets. In this dynamic, she fails to recognize her deep love for one man. She ignores her heart until she can no longer hear it, making choices that can never be undone.
Failing to recognize the lie she is living, Rose-Marie strives to obtain love’s promise within a marriage, with children, poverty, and a fledgling faith.
When her first love returns, Rose-Marie’s repressed emotions awaken, but fear arises. Is emotional honesty worth the risk of losing all she’s worked for? Does God have the answers to free her heart?
Thank You!
We want to take this moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our supporters for your invaluable role in the Renewed Heart Ministry community and for your dedication to our mission of fostering love, justice, compassion, and healing. Your support is the bedrock of our work. Your support empowers us to do what we do. At a time when ministries like ours are being asked to achieve more with fewer resources, your support is incredibly important, and we want to simply say thank you. Whether in our larger society or within our local faith communities, Renewed Heart Ministries remains committed to advocating for change, working towards a world that is inclusive, just, and safe for everyone, and being a source of love in our world. From all of us here at Renewed Heart Ministries, thank you for your generous support. We deeply appreciate each and every one of our supporters.
If you’d like to join them in supporting our work, please go to renewedheartministries.com and click on “Donate.”
Last Week’s Social Jesus Posts
Articles posted each week at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/
Divorce Just Ain’t What It Used To Be, Part 1
These directives written about divorce were not written with the same cultural practices and assumptions within marriage that we practice today.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2024/10/divorce-just-aint-what-it-used-to-be-part1/
Divorce Just Ain’t What It Used To Be, Part 2
The culture wherein these ancient divorce laws were written was predominantly heterosexist and deeply patriarchal.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2024/10/divorce-just-aint-what-it-used-to-be-part2/
Divorce Just Ain’t What It Used To Be, Part 3
Justice and that which was life-giving were the concerns in our reading. That which is just and life-giving should be our concern, too.
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/socialjesus/2024/10/divorce-just-aint-what-it-used-to-be-part3/
New Episode of “Just Talking
Season 2, Episode 30: Mark 10.2-16. Lectionary B, Proper 22
Each week, we’ll be talking about the gospel lectionary reading for the upcoming weekend in the context of love, inclusion, and social justice. Our hope is that our talking will be “just” talking (as in justice) and that during our brief conversations each week we’ll be inspired to do more than just talking.
If you teach from the lectionary each week, or if you’re just looking for some thoughts on the Jesus story from a more progressive perspective within the context of social justice, check it out.
Watch at:
The Social Jesus Podcast from RHM!
A podcast where we talk about the intersection of faith and social justice and what a first century, prophet of the poor from Galilee might have to offer us today in our work of love, compassion and justice.
Last week:
Season 1 Episode 25: Divorce Just Ain’t What It Used To Be
Mark 10:2-16
“Our practice of marriage and divorce in our culture today should be based on the ethics and values of the golden rule, the well being of all parties involved, whether abuse is taking place, and an egalitarian concern for justice for everyone. This is the spirit of the gospels’ teachings. People matter above institutions. Institutions were made for people not people for institutions. Even the institution of marriage.
Justice and that which was life-giving were Jesus’ concerns in Mark. And that which is just and life-giving should be our concern today, too. Marriage and divorce are two sides of the same coin. We are not infallible. And when marriage becomes death-dealing, divorce as a life-giving option should be among the choices available to those seeking to turn things around. Whether people believe that they can work on and change their marriage or that their marriage should be undone, that is strictly up to them. It is not our place to shame or look down on them. It’s our job to life-givingly support them during such difficult choices. People who have been divorced or are going through divorce don’t need our judgement. They need our encouragement and our care.”
Available on all major podcast carriers and at:
https://the-social-jesus-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes/divorce-just-aint-what-it-used-to-be
Upcoming Events
October 19, 2024
Good News Fellowship (via Zoom)
Toronto, Ontario Canada
For info: 304.520.0030
Weekly Zoom HeartGroup on Wednesday Nights
Each Wednesday evening, Glendale City Church will be hosting a Zoom-HeartGroup led by Herb Montgomery. Our discussion each week will focus on the content in Renewed Heart Ministries’ weekly eSight articles, The Social Jesus podcast, and RHM’s Just Talking YouTube show. The time of each Zoom session will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Pacific/10:00 p.m. Eastern.
For more information and for the link to participate each week, contact RHM here.
Audiobook Available Now on Audible
Finding Jesus: A Fundamentalist Preacher Discovers the Socio-Political & Economic Teachings of the Gospels (2nd Edition)
by Herb Montgomery, Narrated by Jeff Moon
In Finding Jesus, author Herb Montgomery delves into the profound and often overlooked political dimensions of the gospels. Through meticulous analysis of biblical texts, historical context, and social discourse, this thought-provoking book unveils the gospels’ socio-political, economic teachings as rooted in a profound concern for justice, compassion, and the well-being of the marginalized. The book navigates the intersections between faith and societal justice, presenting a compelling argument for a more socially engaged and transformative Christianity. Readers will journey through the Gospel narratives, discovering the ways in which the Jesus of these stories challenged the political and religious establishments of his time. Herb Montgomery draws parallels between the societal issues faced by the people of Jesus’ era and the challenges of the present day, sparking reflection on the role of faith in addressing contemporary political and social issues. Finding Jesus is not just a scholarly exploration; it is a call to action. It challenges readers to reevaluate their understanding of Christianity’s role in public life and to consider how the radical teachings of the gospels can inspire a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and compassion. This book is a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the social implications of Christian faith and a blueprint for building a more just and inclusive society.
Available now on Audible.
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