Response to Dallas Storms: Don't Send Shoes. Please.

Last updated on: December 27, 2015 at 12:42 pm By Christy Thomas

[Note: I wrote a version of this post several years ago following some other natural disaster. After the horrific damage from the December 26 tornadoes in Dallas, I’m already seeing people set up collection centers for used clothing and toiletries. Not a good idea.] The number one thing is, “Don’t send your used shoes.” Compassionate people plus tough and tragic situations equals a desire to do something, anything, to relieve suffering. So we ask, “How can I help?” There’s plenty of suffering... Read more

Ask Thoughtful Pastor: "Twas the Day After Christmas"

Last updated on: December 21, 2015 at 1:51 pm By Christy Thomas

Note from The Thoughtful Pastor: I wrote this last year, and thought it might be helpful advice again. My newspaper column runs on Christmas Day this year, so hold these thoughts until then–or until you need them! ‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house all the creatures were bloated, down to the last mouse. The boxes were scattered, empty and bare in hopes that the trash man soon would be there. The children were fighting over stuff in... Read more

Good Church Members or Disruptive Disciples?

Last updated on: May 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm By Christy Thomas

Those disruptive disciples flame with life and passion for God, frequently discard old structures in favor of new and untapped missions, ignore many of the rules and openly break others, and leave unsettledness in their wake. I was in a conversation last night with a good friend about the nature of discipleship. She’s been placed in charge of discipleship for her large church, a United Methodist congregation. We chatted about the history of discipleship plans there. Mostly they involved making sure... Read more

Shall We Do Evil So That Good Will Come?

Last updated on: December 16, 2015 at 2:08 pm By Christy Thomas

I watched part of the Republican debate last night (Dec. 15). I chose to listen with a more generous spirit than I have to date. Each candidate genuinely believes that he/she is uniquely suited to be President of the US, an extraordinarily difficult job where every single action and word will be critiqued, examined, and probably slammed by those who dislike whoever the winner ends up to be. That takes guts. Or an extreme lack of caring what others think.... Read more

December Sadness and the Timing of Christmas

Last updated on: November 12, 2017 at 4:36 pm By Christy Thomas

But it is the shorter days here in the northern hemisphere help bring on Christmas sadness. I turn on every light in the house trying to fight back the darkness. This time of year has always been tough for me, and Christmas is anything but a favorite holiday. In my growing up years, it was a time of growing tension yearly between my mom and dad. I, as the ultra-sensitive, peace-making middle child held and internalized much of that tension... Read more

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Public Hypocrites and The Way of Jesus

Last updated on: December 15, 2015 at 12:52 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have a question about praying in public and the scripture verse from Matthew 6:5. There is a man that dresses in a bright neon yellow robe at night. I’ve seen him in the daytime in a white robe and headdress as well. He carries with him a wooden staff that is longer than he is tall. He is goes all over the city, but mainly stays on a bridge praying for people. Recently he was at... Read more

A Possible Take on Donald Trump and Our Seriously Putrid Underbelly

Last updated on: December 10, 2015 at 1:25 pm By Christy Thomas

I’m telling you: this may be the most brilliant analysis of Donald Trump’s campaign ever. Wish I had been smart enough to write it. I encourage you to read it, but below are the particularly salient sentences: “Trump will soon reveal that his campaign is pure satirical theater, a performance artist’s pièce de résistance. He is actually still the liberal he used to be and his rhetoric on the campaign trail is a work of art designed to reveal the darkest... Read more

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Theology Matters, Especially ISIS Theology

Last updated on: September 9, 2016 at 1:21 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have been wondering what it is about the Islamic religion that justifies the actions taken against innocent civilians? Certainly people have been making war on each other for as long as we have been called Human A long time ago we decided to formalize this ritual killing into something called war. We set rules. As we got better at war, we set tighter rules. Now most of the world believes it is ok to kill members... Read more

Yes, Let's Just Arm Everyone: Time for a Game of "Last Man Standing"

Last updated on: December 3, 2015 at 11:17 am By Christy Thomas

So, after the most recent domestic massacres, the usual mantra pops up, “If the good guys were armed, we could stop the bad guys.” OK, I’m a good person. Let’s put a gun in my hand. Of course, I have no ability to judge distances because of a lack of depth perception. At my age, my arms tremble a bit when I’m holding something heavy so aiming straight would be nearly impossible, plus I’ve never fired a gun, much less... Read more

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Fear-based Lives and Health Care Disasters

Last updated on: December 2, 2015 at 12:03 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: One thing is abundantly clear as I read my newsfeed on social media and the 24-hour news cycle: Much of the world is in fear. When I think about fear in the Bible, I mostly recall angels telling humans “do not be afraid.” Which probably means that angels were frightening to see or experience. Is fear bad for religious people to feel? How should people of faith respond to anxiety and terror? Is there ever an appropriate... Read more