Many Christians (including my previous self) are so busy assuming our theology is “right” that we don’t bother with the kind of self-examination that might inform us otherwise. Since I walked away from the evangelical scene a few years back, I’ve tried to start conversations with folks who are still there. They literally refuse to engage: “You’re not going to change my mind, so let’s not even go there.” This is the case all over Christendom: we believe we already... Read more
We can’t love our LGBT neighbors if we’re too busy judging them. Empathy is a starting place for love and acceptance. So, if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone (the “homosexuality is a sin, end of story” zone), let’s do this. Today I’d like to talk about mindset. Next time we’ll start talking Bible. (My backstory is simple: I was raised as an evangelical, and then I left. I’ve been sorting through the teachings of evangelicalism ever... Read more
In my previous life as an evangelical Christian, I had what I considered a healthy apprehension about gay folks. It was for the sake of my kids (or so I told myself) that I preferred to avoid discussing “that subject,” and avoid acknowledging the existence of “those people.” I thought I was doing the right thing for the right reasons: I didn’t want my children to think that was ok, mainstream, normal. If they did, who knows what it might lead... Read more
Trump-supporting Christians have abandoned the call to be Christlike, and turned Christianity into something barely recognizable. It’s time to ask ourselves honestly: what are we doing? I’ve always referred to myself a lifelong Christian, and I intend to remain faithful to God till I die. I’m very grateful for being raised in the church. If not for the solid, heartfelt faith of my parents and extended family, I’m not sure I’d still be wearing the “Christian” label. Because, Trumpism. Here’s... Read more
We all need to be attuned to the will of God. We all fail sometimes; the important thing is to (humbly) keep self-checking and re-orienting our walk – if we dare. (That’s what this blog is all about. Subscribe?) Now that the election results are in (contested by some, yes, but honestly not gonna change), we can begin to settle into our new surroundings and get ready to be about the Father’s business during the next four years. Of course,... Read more
The thing about deception is that we don’t know it’s there. That’s why we need to examine our “righteousness” more than our sinfulness. (My thoughts today are heavily influenced by Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christian, and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove’s Reconstructing the Gospel.) Regardless of the election outcome, one thing will not change: the world will still be rife with injustice, tragedy, and abuse of power. Okay, two things will not change. The second one is our obligation to shine... Read more
It’s been a tough couple of years in America. Whether Biden wins or Trump, Christians can exit campaign mode, take a moment, and regroup. Let’s talk about why that’s a great idea. It seems that many Christians have become like the proverbial frog in the cooking pot. We want to protect the most vulnerable, so we’ve jumped in the pot marked “Trump.” Or we want to see equality, so we’ve jumped in the pot marked “Biden.” (If you’ve read any... Read more
Let’s be honest here. The partnership between Trump and Christians is problematic. It gives new level of meaning to the phrase “opposites attract.” Christians who support Trump have aligned with a guy who is the opposite of Jesus; Trump has to indulge a crowd that are the opposite of his type of folks. It’s unnatural. As I’ve said before, Trump needed you to get elected in 2016, and you needed him to get the Supreme Court. You delivered for him... Read more
Most Christians are familiar with the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Luke 6: 46-49). Christian voters: maybe your Trump house is about to fall with a great SPLAT. Of course we Christians tend to relate to the wise builder. We have built our lives on the Lord Jesus Christ. Certainly our house-of-faith could survive any tempest! I’d like to challenge that. There’s more here than a chance for us to congratulate ourselves for being the good guy. For... Read more
The 2016 election of Donald Trump tore my hometown of Rockford IL apart, but we got back up on our feet. Here’s how we found unity. Rockford, Illinois is blessed to have a large Muslim community. While we lived in Rockford, my husband was a part of that community, and after my conservative Christian group dumped me, I found new friends there (as well as in my new church home – shoutout to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd). Anyway, remember... Read more
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