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Progressive Christian

2013-02-05T18:08:05-05:00

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.

Guilt — The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Last updated on: February 5, 2013 at 6:08 pm By Susan Cottrell

This week I blog on guilt, anger, depression, forgiveness, from my upcoming Marriage Renovation book. People do things wrong, miss the mark, and sin—no doubt about it. In response, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us convicts us from within. He is extremely effective, and He knows what He’s doing. The bible talks about the conviction, not the guilting, of the Holy Spirit. So if it’s not conviction then what is guilt? (Or really, “false guilt.”) We have to come... Read more

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conviction vesus false guilt

2013-01-30T15:12:57-05:00

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.

Just Report for Duty

Last updated on: January 30, 2013 at 3:12 pm By Susan Cottrell

One sweet reader commented on yesterday’s blog about knowing God’s will for her. My mind got rolling about the whole question of how to discern God’s will. Am I in it or out of it? His best will, perfect will, permitted will? Seem to be so many layers to it, and Christians can get pretty balled up into what it’s all about. Then this verse came to mind. “…present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,... Read more

The Real Jesus

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Acts 17:28

as a mother comforts her babies

discerning God's will

God has great plans for me to give me a future and a hope

how do we know God's will?

those who wait on the Lord will be lifted up with wings as eagles

Wait upon the Lord

2013-01-29T16:33:15-05:00

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’s on Your Heart?

Last updated on: January 29, 2013 at 4:33 pm By Susan Cottrell

Share Fair took place this past weekend, an opportunity for a variety of ministries to gather and meet, share information, and hear some great speakers. I had no idea what I might get from it, but I took a chance, reserved a book table and went. The results were far more than I anticipated. I met many interesting women, learned something about their ministries, and shared about mine. So many hearts driven so many directions in ministry! One fascinating speaker... Read more

for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans for a future and a hope not for calamity

Life is a daring adventure or nothing

people-pleasing

share fair

What is on your heart?

2013-01-22T17:58:44-05:00

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’s Possible for YOU?

Last updated on: January 22, 2013 at 5:58 pm By Susan Cottrell

I stood in the office store and stared at the beautifully artsy notebooks. Covers with hand-drawn birds or stylized print. I said to the older woman next to me: “I just love new notebooks – they represent such possibility!” I think she muttered, “Mm-hhm,” then moved to another aisle. Well, it’s true. Something about the blank pages, the open question, the clear slate on which to think and create! The hardest part seems to be shutting down the clutter in... Read more

2013-01-18T16:37:23-05:00

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.

God is Great, God is Good

Last updated on: January 18, 2013 at 4:37 pm By Susan Cottrell

Mel kicked her feet as she waited for the school bus. A lone car approached and young men inside watched Mel, then slowly drove off. She glanced up the deserted street and across the adjacent empty field and waited. The guys drove by again, leering. She looked away. She knew she had no place to hide. They drove away and Mel whispered, “God, protect me.” Mel was used to asking for and receiving God’s protection in all the missionary work... Read more

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Acts 12

coming to God as little children

expecting the supernatural

Matthew 18:3

Peter freed from prison

praying as children.

praying for a miracle

Rhoda answering door

supernatural help

unless you come like little children

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven

2013-01-15T09:18:36-05:00

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 Seed of Greatness

Last updated on: January 15, 2013 at 9:18 am By Susan Cottrell

“The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn; the bird waits in the egg; and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities.” James Allen And the mature man or woman who walks with God grows in the child in your home. Sigh. As I look at my beautiful children, I am amazed at all that God has done in them.... Read more

Family Support

The Real Jesus

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he who began a good work will be faithful to complet it

2013-01-10T15:41:15-05:00

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.

An Interruption to Fellowship

Last updated on: January 10, 2013 at 3:41 pm By Susan Cottrell

Two days I drove alone from Texas to Arizona. I was bringing a car to our son, and I had set up visits with my kids, plus two small retreats—so I had plenty to look forward to once I got there. But what a long drive. Would I get bored or claustrophobic?! Not sure. I decided to load plenty of books and teachings on my phone, to play through the car speakers. God and I would talk at length about... Read more

2013-01-08T22:29:31-05:00

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 Heart

Last updated on: January 8, 2013 at 10:29 pm By Susan Cottrell

Today’s post is not political — it is an analogy. Human beings are compelled to look at behavior, assess behavior, and attempt to change behavior. We are compelled to try to arrange circumstances so that behavior will change. We can’t help trying to change behavior from without. Jesus does not change behavior from without. He addresses the heart. When the heart changes, behavior naturally follows. When I receive the peace Jesus offers (that is beyond human understanding), then I can... Read more

The Real Jesus

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behavior change

change from the heart

gun control

mass murder

peace beyond understanding

2013-01-03T17:22:28-05:00

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.

Random Acts of Trust

Last updated on: January 3, 2013 at 5:22 pm By Susan Cottrell

In Winnipeg, Canada, a man going through the Tim Horton’s drive-through paid for the person behind him… who paid for the person behind him… who paid for the person behind him. This went on for 228 cars, more than 3 hours! “Such acts of kindness have become a bit of a trend in Canada, with many paying for lunches, coffee orders or small grocery purchase of total strangers,” the reporter said, but they’d never seen a chain so long. What... Read more

The Real Jesus

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all that Jesus ever did He never did

complete dependence on God

Ephesians 4

forgiveness

humility patience love

John 5:30

pay it forward

Random Acts of Kindness

unity of the Spirit in the bond of grace

2013-01-01T12:03:08-05:00

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.

New Beginnings

Last updated on: January 1, 2013 at 12:03 pm By Susan Cottrell

I do not make New Year’s Resolutions. I can’t trust myself even to remember them, much less keep them. “I’m going to keep my desk clean from now on.” Who am I kidding? But here’s what I do like about the New Year: the new beginning. I’m all about new beginnings. I feel like I need a do-over every morning. …Fortunately, I have a God who allows that. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come... Read more

New Year's Resolutions

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