Guest Post by Cristen Wathen “It was the end of the world… and I was dancing with Sally Bowles… and we were both asleep…” Cabaret! One of my favorite Broadway musicals (I’m a bit of a buff) the music, the time-period, the dancing, the message… There is nothing like seeing a show like this one live. Actually, I have two very distinct memories from the first time I saw Cabaret! on stage. Growing up in a Christian sub-culture where my... Read more
I’ve said it before, I will say it again: I love church ladies. When I was a kid, a church grandma named Mrs. Little used to sit on the left-hand side (the choir side) of the sanctuary, about 4 rows back. Every Sunday of the world she brought–I kid you not–a purse full of candy. Yes you heard that right. A Purse. Full. of Candy. Needless to say, she was popular amongst the young crowd. She would sit down and unzip... Read more
“You have heard it said, the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun. But verily, I say unto you, that this woman is a total badass…and her only weapons were prayer, courage, and compassion. Verily I say unto you; the world is violent, but there is always another way.” Alright, so I don’t say ‘verily’ much. But Antoinette Tuff deserves a ‘verily.’ She verily saved the lives of countless children... Read more
According to 63 studies conducted over the last 80-some years, Atheists are OFFICIALLY smarter than people of faith. Officially. I read that this week. My first reaction was to take offense. I mean… I’m a reasonably intelligent person. So are (most) Christians I know. So are the Jews, the Muslims, the Buddists… I mean, I’ve got no gripe with people who don’t align themselves with a belief system, but seriously; how does faith (or lack thereof) speak to smarts? For my... Read more
The mystery priest came out of the closet. I mean…not that closet. But he came out of hiding, anyway. So, I stand corrected. I never thought we’d hear from him. Last week, a young woman in Missouri was hit head on by a drunk driver. Her vital signs were dropping quickly, and some of the rescue equipment was malfunctioning. In the midst of this grim scene, the girl asked the first-responders to pray with her. According to witnesses, a priest then appeared out of nowhere... Read more
Happily ever after is a lie. And no, I’m not having man problems. I don’t hate my job. I’m not sick. I’m not in weather-related funk, and I’m not overly discouraged about the state of the economy. I’ve just got this on my mind… A photographer staged some life-sized vignettes of ‘princesses’ in their ever after. These renderings show anything but a fairy tale ending. Belle–addicted to plastic surgery?; Cinderella–drinking away her disappointment. There’s more. Check it out. To some, this will... Read more
This is a re-post from a couple years ago; for all y’all who are headed off to college in the next few weeks–or maybe just reminiscing about the good ol days–some thoughts on moderation and living life ‘undeclared.’ I started teaching dance when I was 16; I was a student minister/camp counselor 10+ years ago; I have a brother-in-law and sister-in-law who were 6 and 8 when I started dating their big brother–they are now 18 and 20(!). Every August, Facebook reminds me that many of these... Read more
I have a boy who is almost 3, but he’s been talking like 4 since he was 2. He didn’t get the memo that boys and/or second children do not develop vocabulary as quickly as their female/first child counter parts. I mean, boy likes to chat. At his two year check-up the nurse said, “does he know a) 5-10 words, b)10-20 words, or c) more than 20 words?” My husband and I kind of looked at each other and said,... Read more
5 years ago, my friends Mark and Kara said their vows on a beautiful beach in Mexico, at sunset. And I got to witness it. On that same trip—stop me if you’ve heard it—I jumped off of a burning boat, 6 months pregnant, and made a swim for it in the ocean. (If you haven’t heard it—post for another day.) Luckily, my peril at sea was not a cosmic sign re: my friends’ impending nuptials. Far from perilous, their 5 years... Read more
So, I know this guy, and he’s pretty amazing. I wish I could give you a long bio and a pic to go with this wonderful post, but he isn’t ready to be quite so ‘out’ yet, and I respect that. Here’s all you need to know: he is exceptionally bright, faithful, and compassionate. And he is 19 years old. Read on. With a tissue probably. This week, three million young people gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to celebrate their faith... Read more
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