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Progressive Christian

2016-09-28T10:20:26-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

You Can Hear Susan Whispering… “God loves you exactly as you are. Quit being afraid.”

Last updated on: September 28, 2016 at 10:20 am By Susan Cottrell

When you hear Cyndi Lauper leaning into the microphone and practically shouting the chorus to “True Colors” you know why her song raced to #1 on the Billboard Charts. “I see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors shining through, and that’s why I love you.” Now let’s hope that Susan Cottrell’s new book, True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You, races to the top of the Bestseller Lists. Why? Because Susan, the... Read more

2015-09-25T11:57:48-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A Pope Like Jesus

Last updated on: September 25, 2015 at 11:57 am By Susan Cottrell

“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.” Pope Francis I love this Pope. Love him. Because he loves God and loves people—the Christian’s prime directive. Because he serves people—the call of the Christian. Because he sacrifices his own privilege and comfort for the underprivileged and uncomfortable. I want to talk to you... Read more

2015-09-22T10:18:24-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

If You Could See Yourself Through God’s Eyes

Last updated on: September 22, 2015 at 10:18 am By Susan Cottrell

I wish you could see yourself as the true and loving God sees you. I wish you could, for just a moment, see yourself through those eyes. Because you would see yourself as lovely, and whole, and complete. You would see that you lack nothing. You are beautiful, you are full of love. God loves you exactly as you are. God is also generous that way—God wants the best for you. Beloved, please, do not look at yourself as flawed—back... Read more

2015-09-21T11:48:54-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Look at What This Dad Does For His Daughter

Last updated on: September 21, 2015 at 11:48 am By Susan Cottrell

Sometimes it takes a lot of words, sometimes it takes a few, sometimes it just takes an action. Doing something for someone you love. Having a heart for the hurting. Today, I want you to know that you deserve to be accepted for who you are, period. No matter what you have been told, no matter what you have heard, don’t let anything or anyone shame you. That is not truth. That is not life. That is not love. That... Read more

2015-09-17T09:13:10-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You

Last updated on: September 17, 2015 at 9:13 am By Susan Cottrell

When Clay told his parents he was gay, they screamed that he never should have been born and told him to get out of the house. He was sixteen. Vanessa listened to the gay-bashing every week in church—no one knew she was one of those the pastor was bashing. To escape the spiritual assault, she had to give up her lifelong church community… and possibly her family. How do you prepare for that? Danielle was in heels and a short... Read more

2015-09-15T11:54:16-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

From a Mom… Why I Want to Celebrate Your True Colors

Last updated on: September 15, 2015 at 11:54 am By Susan Cottrell

When our daughter first came out to us, we had a problem on our hands. Our conservative church tradition does not allow what they would call “gayness.” What do we do with this? Do we talk about our gay daughter? Do we pretend she is not gay? Pretend she doesn’t exist? None of it fit with the abiding life of Christ. We were in trouble. That’s how I learned the depths of the dilemma so many, evangelical, or fundamentalist parents... Read more

2016-05-26T12:48:25-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

How Can Anti-LGBTQ Christians Ignore the Heart of God?

Last updated on: May 26, 2016 at 12:48 pm By Susan Cottrell

Anti-transgender bathroom bills? Anti-LGBTQ discrimination efforts? To ignore or minimize others’ suffering goes against the very heart of the gospel that non-affirming Christians claim to uphold even as they denigrate those they disagree with. “Love God and love others.” “Treat others as you want to be treated.” “Love is patient, kind, and forbearing.” How can non-affirming Christians continue to ignore that? I want to share with you the story of a man who lives in New York City. He is... Read more

2015-09-09T15:27:05-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Politics, Religion, and the Great Lie of Martyrdom

Last updated on: September 9, 2015 at 3:27 pm By Susan Cottrell

Kim Davis is not a martyr. She is more like the bus driver than Rosa Parks. Can a waitress take a paycheck for working at Red Lobster and then refuse to serve shellfish? Can a member of the military take a paycheck from the government and then say they will not fight? Can Kim Davis take a paycheck to issue marriage licenses and then pick and choose who she will and won’t do that job for? The answer to all... Read more

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2015-09-08T10:10:41-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The Church Is Changing. Are You Ready?

Last updated on: September 8, 2015 at 10:10 am By Susan Cottrell

The church is changing. The truth of Jesus is being disentangled from the behavior-focused, non-affirming religion that often just uses Jesus as a mascot. And this is a major threat to the box-church that tries to stay sealed up tight – even when everyone on the outside of the box can see how different they are from the Jesus they claim to follow. The truth of God is winning out over false interpretations and our understanding of what Christianity really... Read more

2015-09-01T12:07:38-05:00

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What Happens When A Heart Is Freed?

Last updated on: September 1, 2015 at 12:07 pm By Susan Cottrell

Parents, their LGBTQ children, the church… what happens when their hearts are freed from hate and condemnation and fear? For a parent of an LGBTQ child, their heart is freed when they can unconditionally love, accept and affirm their child without feeling that they have sacrificed their faith. For someone who is LGBTQ, their heart is freed when they come to know in the deepest places of their soul that they are absolutely unconditionally loved by God, as they are,... Read more

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