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Progressive Christian

2014-12-29T11:02:19-05:00

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 Bible Examined: So Misunderstood It’s a Sin

Last updated on: December 29, 2014 at 11:02 am By Susan Cottrell

The Bible is being used as a weapon to justify horrible acts of hatred, abuse, judgment and condemnation. And not just by radicals like Westboro Baptist. It is being misunderstood and misused in abusive ways by many of the most ‘mainstream’ evangelical leaders. So what does the Bible really say and mean? As Newsweek says… “The topic has become too important for Americans to ignore, whether they are deeply devout or tepidly faithful, believers or atheists.” I was fascinated to... Read more

2014-12-27T10:13:58-05:00

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.

Jesus Blog: Hey There, Beautiful!

Last updated on: December 27, 2014 at 10:13 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… Nothing is wrong with you. I’ll say it again. Nothing is wrong with you. You were perfectly planned, perfectly designed, perfectly made. Don’t let anybody tell you different. Of course you mature — who doesn’t mature? But that’s up to me to say, no one else. And if you follow me, as much as you can trust me, I will mature you. More completely and beautifully... Read more

2014-12-25T12:56:48-05:00

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.

Don’t Let Anyone Steal Your Christmas Gift

Last updated on: December 25, 2014 at 12:56 pm By Susan Cottrell

Hello, my friends. Just want to share from my heart this Christmas morning. Jesus. Born to show us the heart of God. To love us. To give us life. Not to condemn or judge us, but to show us a right relationship with God. How like God to bring a gift in the form of a tiny and vulnerable baby, born to a couple of teenagers, in a cloud of scandal that never left them. No money, no power. Yet God entrusted to... Read more

2014-12-23T11:27:42-05:00

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 Jesus Worth Knowing, The Jesus I Love

Last updated on: December 23, 2014 at 11:27 am By Susan Cottrell

I love how Jesus came to earth as a Savior, and the first thing he did was whip his parents into shape for having the temerity to become pregnant before the wedding – good heavens, don’t you know what people will think?? And then those tax collectors, extortionists, really – he really gave them a piece of his mind, didn’t he? And that poor woman caught in adultery – yes, he shamed her, saying, “Don’t you know better than to... Read more

2014-12-22T10:47:04-05:00

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.

No Place Like Home For The Holidays??

Last updated on: December 22, 2014 at 10:47 am By Susan Cottrell

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays, ‘Cause no matter how far away you roam – If you want to be happy in a million ways, For the holidays – you can’t beat home, sweet home! I absolutely love seeing my family at Christmas. This year is quite different. We are not able to see our kids – they are spread out all over the world. And, because of our love & advocacy for the gay community, we... Read more

2014-12-20T10:34:45-05:00

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.

Jesus Blog: To My Wonderful Gay Children

Last updated on: December 20, 2014 at 10:34 am By Susan Cottrell

More today from my Saturday “Jesus Blog” – a word from Jesus to you… My wonderful children, who just so happen to be gay. Has it been awhile since you have felt at home in your life? With your family? At a church? With me? There is a story of a woman on a long road trip vacation with ten family members. Near the beginning of the trip, her two-year-old little girl would say “I want to go home.” But... Read more

2014-12-19T12:00:17-05:00

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.

Dear Susan: Is My Gay Child’s DNA Messed Up?

Last updated on: December 19, 2014 at 12:00 pm By Susan Cottrell

Do we as parents look for reasons why we can “justify” our love for our gay children?? Does that kind of thinking sound a little off-track? “We are all born broken as a result of the Fall… we all have tendencies we need to overcome… like alcoholism… like same-sex attraction.” Have you all heard this before? Do we actually need to find a reason to make it okay to love our gay kids?!? Let’s address this issue today. I write... Read more

2014-12-18T10:40:55-05:00

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.

Don’t Be A Peacekeeper

Last updated on: December 18, 2014 at 10:40 am By Susan Cottrell

Make peace. Be at peace. But maybe it’s time to not keep peace. Don’t avoid conflict at all costs, just to keep the peace. Because what you lose is your soul. “People notice peacemakers because they dress funny. We know how the people who make war dress – in uniforms and medals, or in computers and clipboards, or in absoluteness, severity, greed, and cynicism. But the peacemaker is dressed in righteousness, justice, and faithfulness – dressed for the work that... Read more

2014-12-19T11:56:01-05:00

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.

Do You Trust The Church?

Last updated on: December 19, 2014 at 11:56 am By Susan Cottrell

The church as a whole has a serious image problem. A while back, a pastor we knew proposed to the local fire chief that his neighborhood church team up with the fire department on a particular community event. The fire chief responded: “No… you see, people trust the fire department.” What image comes to your mind at the word “church”? You may remember it fondly as the place where people loved you no matter what, and you enjoyed coffee between services. Or it could be where an abusive... Read more

2014-12-15T10:43:34-05:00

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 Plea to Moms & Dads: Welcome Your Gay Child Home for the Holidays

Last updated on: December 15, 2014 at 10:43 am By Susan Cottrell

“Whenever I find myself too all alone, I can make believe I’ve never gone, I never know where I belong, Sing me home. Please, celebrate me home.” – Kenny Loggins This is Rob, Susan’s husband, and I am writing to Dads and Moms, hoping to speak to the deepest places of your hearts, from the deepest place of mine. Maybe this is silly, maybe I am naive, but it is something I have to say: Please, please celebrate your LGBTQ... Read more

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