The latest crisis in evangelical Christianity seems to be the "feminization" of the church.Now, I wasn't sure exactly what that meant. Even if we were to ignore the fact that there is no real definition of "femininity," and even if we were to judge "femininity" by strict societal expectations and stereotypes, what does that mean? It's not like the church is wearing lipstick and carrying a purse. And I've never heard a pastor say anything like, "The vagina cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday to me and Martin Luther King Jr.!
January 15, 2012 by 1 Comment
It's my birthday today!And it's also Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday!I'm proud to share a birthday with such a great man. King is one of my heroes, as he is a great role model for non-violent activism. He made a difference without pulling any triggers or dispatching any troops. He taught me to believe that the power of love and non-violence can change the world.I'll let the man speak for himself. Here are a few of my favorite quotes by him (taken from brainyquote.com): A nation that c … [Read more...]
Diving into the ocean of religion
January 14, 2012 by 20 Comments
Interesting discussion on yesterday's post, friends!In case you missed it, yesterday I responded to the viral video that's been going around the interwebs lately--Jeffersen Bethke's "Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus." I argued that religion and Jesus are not incompatible. In fact, in order to have a "relationship" with Jesus, we need to take action--action that, for many people, looks like religion.I really wrote that post to myself. I do that a lot--write things to myself. Writing is how I … [Read more...]
It’s not a religion, it’s a relationship?
January 13, 2012 by 25 Comments
When I was growing up, and people asked about my religion, I would parrot the phrase I'd heard from countless well-meaning pastors, Sunday school teachers, and friends. You know the one..."It's not a religion. It's a relationship."Then, there's the viral video that's been going around lately. I'm sure you've seen it making the rounds on Facebook, Twitter, and the Blogosphere:"Why I hate religion, but love Jesus."(side note: for an excellent response to this video, check out Elizabeth … [Read more...]
I’m pro-life. I’m pro-choice. I’m pro-woman.
January 10, 2012 by 32 Comments
I'm pro-choice.Therefore, I am pro-life.I'm pro-life.Therefore, I am pro-choice.I couldn't be one without being the other and my support for each side strengthens the other.Let me 'splain....No, there is too much. Let me sum up.I'll start with this--even though the exact point at which human life begins cannot be pin-pointed by science, I still feel uncomfortable with the concept of abortion. I'd like to think that I, personally, would never get an abortion (though, the way I reacted … [Read more...]
If the Bible had an F.A.Q. section…
January 3, 2012 by 14 Comments
Do you ever wish that the Bible had an F.A.Q. section?Or maybe it does, and I just haven't found it yet. Some Christians probably have--you know, the one's who are always saying, "The Bible clearly says that..." Yeah, those Christians must have found the F.A.Q. section.Because, let's be honest. The Bible is anything but clear.It's complicated, contradictory, and confusing.If the Bible had an F.A.Q. section, this is what I'd like to see in it:*What IS salvation?*Is there a hell? … [Read more...]
A year in review
January 2, 2012 by 9 Comments
What a year it has been!I think I'll recap some of the highlights:I turned 21 and had my first alcoholic beverage (a Bud Light. Gross. Happy to say that Abe has taught me to appreciate good beer, and I will never again darken the doorways of my tongue with a Bud Light)My boyfriend of three years broke up with me on facebook (which didn't seem like a highlight at the time, but looking back, all I can think is Hallelujah, Chunky Peanut Butter!)I discovered that I could, in fact, survive … [Read more...]
Good tidings of great joy
December 26, 2011 by 19 Comments
At yesterday's annual family Christmas gathering, my mom was asked to do the impossible: gather up my younger cousins and get them to sit still long enough for her to tell them the Christmas story. And, being the super woman that she is, she accomplished this task with seeming ease. She managed to capture the undivided attention of those eight rambunctious little boys and explain to them the beautiful message of Luke 2.She closed with: "When I see those beautiful, shining lights on the C … [Read more...]
Happy Holidays from the Moons!
December 24, 2011 by 1 Comment
I will be enjoying the holiday festivities for the next couple of days, so for all my readers out there, Merry Christmahanukkwanzolstice, from the Moon family. And a happy Gregorian Calendar New Year!I hope everyone has a great couple of days! Until next time, what are your favorite things about your favorite December holiday? … [Read more...]
Got milk?
December 22, 2011 by 21 Comments
"Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?"A lovely little phrase. I first heard it while reading a Christian dating book (a book that was "accidentally destroyed maliciously," which is unfortunate, because it was filled with enough awfulness to give me blog material for years) that my mother bought me in high school. I know my dear mother did not read this book before she handed it to me, otherwise she would have maliciously destroyed it herself.Unfortunately, that deplorable book … [Read more...]
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