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- Progressive Christian
2013-07-24T10:36:48-05:00
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 Woman Forgiven for Adultery
Last updated on: July 24, 2013 at 10:36 am By Susan Cottrell
Remember the story of “Jesus Scattering Townspeople and Self-Righteous Men in the Name of Mercy and Justice”? Oh right, you may know it as, “The Woman Caught in Adultery.” I love that Jesus instantly knew the hearts of everyone involved. I love how Jesus never falls for any of it. I love that He lets her go! It seems we rarely marvel at the whole picture of what is going on here. Instead – out of the entire story –... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
trusting God with our children
2013-07-22T10:27:25-05:00
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.
Never Make Your Kids Feel Ashamed of Who They Are
Last updated on: July 22, 2013 at 10:27 am By Susan Cottrell
Shame. It says, “There is something fundamentally wrong with me.” It is the lie at the very root of our identity. If I did something wrong, I can apologize and make amends. But if I am fundamentally wrong, what hope do I have? Our greatest need is to be loved, to belong, to be accepted as we are. Shame says the exact opposite – that we do not fit in, are not acceptable as is and, fundamentally, are not lovable.... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
trusting God with our children
2013-07-18T11:05:09-05:00
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.
Stop “Acting Like a Christian”
Last updated on: July 18, 2013 at 11:05 am By Susan Cottrell
“I wasn’t allowed to go to the fair,” he told me, “because I had become a Christian. My mother said, ‘Christians don’t go to the fair.’ But since my brother Bill was not a Christian, he was allowed to go.” What? This was Jim’s explanation — after I’d shared my faith with him — of his apathy toward anything faith-related. This was the taste in his mouth about Jesus. Somewhere along the way (youth group, pastor, friend) he heard this... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
trusting God with our children
2013-07-17T13:31:32-05:00
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.
When Do You Learn God’s Grace?
Last updated on: July 17, 2013 at 1:31 pm By Susan Cottrell
“Thank God I’m an alcoholic — because otherwise I wouldn’t have known grace!” JP We dislike trials. We hate difficulties or roadblocks or obstacles. We want nothing insurmountable because we want to be strong enough to surmount anything. After all, we like to feel good about ourselves, and we like to know that whatever happens, we will know how to work around it. But when things don’t work out and we begin to feel powerless, we have to look beyond... Read more
I will boast about my weaknesses
my grace is sufficient for you
my power is made perfect in weakness
open conversation between gays and christians
2013-07-15T12:47:09-05:00
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.
Answers You’ve Been Asking For
Last updated on: July 15, 2013 at 12:47 pm By Susan Cottrell
Beloveds, we have faced so much in these volatile days. My heart goes out to Christians torn by their compassion for the LGBTQ and their sense of duty to uphold their moral standard. I continue to pray for God’s revelation to everyone on every side of this issue. I am always moved by Jesus’ answers when He is challenged on points of any debate. The religious leaders tried to trap Him at every turn: paying taxes, the resurrection, divorce. What... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
2013-07-08T11:28:28-05:00
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.
So This is How Rejection Feels
Last updated on: July 8, 2013 at 11:28 am By Susan Cottrell
I had a big argument with someone very close to me today, a mentor. Someone I love very much. She was angry at me for my blog, saying I am being unfair to Christians who are kind and loving, that it goes both ways, that we hear only stories of Christians’ anger toward LGBTQ instead of love? She told me about a Christian woman who had served two gay men for years in her printing business, but finally said she... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
2013-07-04T19:43:18-05:00
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 if Straight was Gay and Gay was Straight?
Last updated on: July 4, 2013 at 7:43 pm By Susan Cottrell
Bullying is devastating. If you have experienced it, you know what I mean. Sixth grade was hell for me, as I was singled out for abuse, ridicule, and pain. I honestly did not know how I drew this hatred, but I knew I would never be at ease among these kids from River Oaks in Houston. I know now that I just came from the wrong side of the tracks, but the earlier messages I’d already internalized made me an... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
what if straight was gay and gay was straight
2013-07-02T15:17:32-05:00
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 Tale of Two Trees: Why We Are All Asking the Wrong Question
Last updated on: July 2, 2013 at 3:17 pm By Susan Cottrell
The Gay Christian debate rages on, with what seems like more interpersonal casualties every day. How in the world can we find common ground in such a deeply personal and sharply divisive issue? I think we’ve been asking the wrong question. We’ve been focused on the rightness or wrongness of being gay, instead of: whose job is it to determine right and wrong? Let’s start with the distinctive that is Christianity. What sets it apart from any other world religion?... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
2013-06-27T11:47:33-05:00
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.
Christians, Why Are You Afraid of Gay Marriage?
Last updated on: June 27, 2013 at 11:47 am By Susan Cottrell
A group of prominent evangelicals recently declared that if marriage equality becomes law, they will disobey it. These God-fearing meticulous Bible-followers feel so strongly about gay marriage that they are willing to flout this law they don’t agree with. I really, truly understand their commitment about something that goes against their deeply held principles. I have just one question: What are they so afraid of? I believe they are afraid that the principles they believe this nation stands on will... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
2013-06-24T11:29:12-05:00
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 Condemnation of DOMA
Last updated on: June 24, 2013 at 11:29 am By Susan Cottrell
“Christians are becoming increasingly irrelevant. They are dragging Jesus down with them.” The eyes of the nation are on the Supreme Court as we wait for a ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act and Prop 8. What is at stake for Christians in this battle? Does our stance even matter now that it’s in the hands of the Court? Some Christians support it based on their understanding of scripture, but their position in this battle has deep ramifications. Marriage... Read more
open conversation between gays and christians
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