Leaving Las Vegas: Returning with Hope and Promise of a Better World

October 3, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

Like many of you, my heart is boiling with fire raging blood in response to the tragic events in Las Vegas. The very last thing any of us needed right now was to mourn another senseless, possibly preventable, mass shooting, the worst America has seen. We are still mourning the refugee ban 10 months ago, and every other subsequent nightmare since, that is everyday, all day, sometimes every hour. Writers, journalists, news anchors, comedians, celebrities, politicians, activists, and other people... Read more

WWSD (What would Satan do?): A New Grassroots Movement

September 30, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

WWJD (What would Jesus do) was a popular phrase in evangelical circles in the 1990’s. It originated from a sermon given by Charles Spurgeon, a notable evangelical preacher, in 1891. In it’s brilliancy, the phrase has lasted now well over 100 years, and is a bedrock of modern evangelical Christianity. The question, what would Jesus do, causes us to look in our consciences and ask our hearts if our choices would be something that Jesus would choose. Following Jesus means we... Read more

Dear Christian Conservative: An Open Letter from an Ex-evangelical

September 29, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

Dear Christian conservative, I do not know how to co-exist with you anymore and that breaks my heart. It’s all I’ve ever really wanted, an authentic relationship that thrives with love, grace, laughter, and compassion. Instead the divide has deepened and the separation has grown. I wish I could change things as there has always been an instinct that knows that division is not the way. Unity is the way, however, there is no room at your table for... Read more

Dear America: We Need to Unite These Divided States

September 26, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

Dear America, It is vital right now that we see this NFL controversy for what it is. It is an orchestrated attempt to divide the United States of America. This hasn’t been new and the “powers that be” have been collectively working toward this division since the inception of this beautiful experiment of America, the new world. This new world was ideally supposed to be about freedom and equality. A country that would grant you civil rights on the basis of... Read more

Empty the Pews: Top 10 Reasons I Support #EmptythePews on Twitter

September 9, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

It has been almost six years since I emptied the pews of church. I haven’t been back, and I do not see myself ever returning. There are so many of us that have left. The more of us that connect, the growing movement and mass exodus out of toxic Christianity is spreading like wildfire. The support system is massive, loving, and welcoming. We discuss our stories, heartbreaks, struggles, triggers, and most importantly the hope we’ve found outside the church doors.... Read more

DACA and the Gospel: Jesus is a DREAMer

September 6, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

If you grew up in Fundamental American Christianity, chances are you sung the song “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” countless times throughout your childhood in the church. It was written by preacher Clarence Herbert Woolston in the late 1800’s and it gives children a very simple, yet beautiful global message with these lyrics: Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world, Red and Yellow, Black and White, They’re all Precious in his sight, Jesus loves... Read more

Believing in Hope: What if the World is Going to Get Better?

August 18, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

Like many of you, believing in hope is a difficult task these days. Let’s entertain the thought for a moment that the world is going to pull through this current nightmare and actually get better. We are stuck right now between the old vs. new, right vs. wrong, good vs. evil, and whether to trust in a beautiful plan or not. Are we going to choose progress or regress? Will we see the light waiting for us ahead and dispel... Read more

Heaven: Would the Religious Right Even Want to Go There?

July 29, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

One of the most beautiful concepts I learned as a child growing up in church was about this place called Heaven. I learned I could go there someday and live there for eternity. I was given very specific ideals and images of this paradise, and it resonated with me, deep in my heart. This place we learn of is a place that lives at the depths of our soul. I believe it is what we all long for if we... Read more

Given to Fly: Leaving the Cage of Fundamental Christianity

July 18, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

When birds are raised in captivity and accidentally get out of their cage, they usually don’t fare well. Their wings are not strong, their flight is weak and turbulent. They lack ability to obtain food and don’t quite understand the call of the wild. Likely, if they don’t find their way back into the comforts of their cage where they feel safe, loved, and are fed, they will die. Hopefully, they find another bird whom they can join and learn... Read more

To the Black Sheep

May 23, 2017 By Kimberly Stover

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” -Robert Frost These immortal words written by one of my favorite poets, Robert Frost, have been a source of strength and inspiration since the time I first read them. Time and time again, I have taken the road less traveled and it has made all the difference. The path has been vast, interesting, awe-inspiring, and I do not regret... Read more