Blessed are the peacekeepers. When Jesus said that, I am pretty sure what he meant was Peacemakers, I bless you, because girl, you are IN for it. As a Jesus Freak, I am called to love the marginalized, love my enemy, to not be a sheep in the herd. I am called out, called up, called to the higher purpose of love. But what does that look like in real, practical, daily life? Especially in these times? I... Read more
The mind is an interesting animal. Mine obviously never read Philippians 4. You know the one — the thing about whatever is true and noble and good and just and righteous, think on these things? Yeah. My mind missed that one. Because right now, my mind is thinking some very not-so-nice things about a certain third grader who has been bullying my son. And by bullying, I don’t mean calling him a silly name or pinching his arm. I... Read more
I don’t really read to my kids anymore. Once they learned how to read they both got this pesky independent streak, as if they were growing up or something. Which is really, really too bad, because I found a book I would read to them all the time, if they would still let me. As far as I’m concerned, they can go do their tween things, like watch YouTube and play Minecraft and read National Geographic. I’m going to keep... Read more
Life has definitely been a little stressful lately. I can tell I am stressed because the other day, I noticed that I was struggling to make even the tiniest, most insignificant of decisions. Decisions like, should I take my kids to the movies or not? After snow days and bad weather, the kids were bored and getting on even their own nerves. The only movie that was playing and appropriate for kids was A Dog’s Purpose. I hate animal movies. I... Read more
I’m not sure if there’s a country that’s done the race thing right yet. We certainly haven’t. The hard part comes when some of us have the best of intentions and others still want to spew hatred. The hard part also comes when the institutions in a society perpetuate racist stereotypes. It’s hard when there is racism deeply embedded in your own psyche like a cancer cell waiting to be turned on. And when you realize this, it’s hard,... Read more
It might be possible that a craving was the downfall of humanity. Back in the garden, maybe Adam and Eve were just having sugar withdrawals, and that’s why that fruit seemed so appealing. I know when I’m craving sugar, I am positively maniacal about it. Cravings — whether they’re emotional or physical — have led me to bad choices and ultimately, dead ends. Somehow, a craving never seems to satisfy completely. I wonder if it’s because when we... Read more
The past few days were very tough days indeed. I’ve had to do more adulting than any one person should be required to do, and I don’t like it. Not one bit. It doesn’t help that I feel like a spiritual orphan, unable to attend church since December. I tried. I really, really tried. And I love my church. Trust me when I say, church and me — we got history. I love my church the way you love... Read more
I remember the room was gloomy, dark and overly warm; the speaker, monotone. I sat next to my father, both of us uncomfortable and awkward in the middle of all that truth and reality, ours and everyone else’s, the looking at things the way they are. The man at the front of the room had a white board we could barely see in the darkly lit space — I still can’t remember why the lights were turned out. He had... Read more
The Bible can be used to instruct, and it can also be used to bash people over their proverbial heads with the force of a two by four. And there’s no topic where the Bible has been more misapplied — except for maybe sex — than money. Prosperity Gospel televangelists fly around in their private jets, tooting their health and wealth horns and giving Christianity a really bad name, all on the sweat from their congregation’s hard work. These... Read more
I was always proud to be American. Not in the strange dogmatic way some Christians have become proud of being American. Those Christians seem to think Jesus and the American flag are one and the same. That God has specifically blessed our country because God prefers our country to others. I do think we are particularly blessed to live in this country, but I’m pretty sure it’s not a matter of God’s preference for the United States. Or for me,... Read more
Jerseygirl, JESUS
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