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Progressive Christian

2012-12-28T14:42:03-05:00

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.

Family Love Letters

Last updated on: December 28, 2012 at 2:42 pm By Susan Cottrell

I think our most under-expressed emotion is our love, appreciation and gratitude for each other. Don’t you? Isn’t that something we could always enjoy more of? Hannah, my youngest, had a wonderful idea for Christmas this year: to write a personal card to each family member, saying how much we love them. Everyone included, we each wrote nine cards. It was an amazing encouragement! Perhaps your family would write each other a year-end card to say, “Thank you for being... Read more

encourage one another

encouragement

family Christmas cards

2012-12-25T11:27:54-05:00

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.

A Christmas Letter to Hurting Young Adults

Last updated on: December 25, 2012 at 11:27 am By Susan Cottrell

Christmas can be full of wonder. But if you are hurting, it can be downright painful. My daughter’s roommate is engaged to a great guy–and her parents don’t approve. No specific reason, but somehow, in her 25 years, she never seems to measure up. I wrote her, and I was inspired to revise and post this as an open letter to all of you whose parents have rejected you, or who are otherwise disenfranchised. I don’t know what you have... Read more

The Real Jesus

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"Come to Me all who are weary and heavey-laden"

"to be My disciple you must hate everyone else by comparison to Me

Christmas pain

disappointed parents

disenfranchised young adults

hate others compared to Jesus

Jesus loves me this I know

Jesus loves you no matter what

love God love others

love the sinner hate out own sin

love the sinner hate the sin

Luke 14:26

Maatthew 11:28

open Christmas letter

open letter to GLBT

Open letter to hurting people

parent's disapproval

parent's rejection

the great commandment

Tony Campolo

when your family rejects you

2012-12-21T15:35:14-05:00

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.

Brother’s Keeper

Last updated on: December 21, 2012 at 3:35 pm By Susan Cottrell

Victoria Soto, 27, hid her students in the cabinets and closets before the gunman stormed in. She told him they were in the gym, then he shot her dead. Some 20 families in CT will have children missing at Christmas next week. Children who would have been there, opening presents in their jammies. These children will also be missing at graduation, at their weddings, as their parents grow old. My heart breaks. But my heart is grateful for Victoria Soto–without... Read more

kindergarten shooting

mass shooting

Megyn Kelly

mental illness

obligation as community

psychotic delusions of grandeur

psychotic disorder

Sandy Hook Elementary

spiritually dead

Victoria Soto

2012-12-19T13:03:14-05:00

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 Great is God’s Love

Last updated on: December 19, 2012 at 1:03 pm By Susan Cottrell

Love. God has lavished such great love on us that He calls us His children! What a great and beautiful love He pours out. My beloved children came in for a brief early Christmas. Oh, how I love them! With everything in me I love them. My heart’s desire is to love my children as lavishly as God loves me, not because of who they are but because of the love God has put into me. If you break it... Read more

God's love looking for a place to happen

grown children

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us

loving family

we can't earn God's love

2012-12-13T12:05:31-05:00

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.

WTF

Last updated on: December 13, 2012 at 12:05 pm By Susan Cottrell

My friends, I’m delighted to announce I’ve got videos up from my recent retreat — so exciting to live in this technology! Below is a sneak peak at one of them! Watch this one, and then go to the website: FreedHearts.org and click on “Schedule Susan to Speak.” There are several other video clips there. This gives you an idea of my speaking style and content. Feel free to invite me to speak at your event, church, retreat, or group. ... Read more

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encouragement to moms

grace

resting in Jesus Christ

Schedule Susan Cottrel to Speak

Susan Cottrell Videos

2012-12-11T18:52:22-05:00

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.

Religion = Death

Last updated on: December 11, 2012 at 6:52 pm By Susan Cottrell

I learned something new today. Religion means to tie back, constrain, as in bondage. Fascinating! Religion is about constraint, about a return to bondage. Isn’t that the truth? Haven’t you been sick to death of all the rules and regs associated with world religions? “Do this, don’t do that.” Religious rules are man-made. They are invariably about what you can do to be right with God. May I tell you that Jesus comes right alongside you to say he’s sick... Read more

The Real Jesus

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Ephesians 2:8-9

For grace you have been savied through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God not as a result of works so that no one may boast

grace is free

Jesus hates religion

John 6:28-29

Religion means tie back restrain bondage

This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent

What must we do to do the work of God?

2012-12-06T17:47:48-05:00

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.

The Picture of Grace

Last updated on: December 6, 2012 at 5:47 pm By Susan Cottrell

What comes to mind when I say the name “Jesus”? Do you think of his love? His grace? Forgiveness that only he provides? Or do you think of everything he is against? If you think that question is facetious, read these words of Philip Yancey: “Recently, I have been asking a question of strangers–for example, a seatmate on an airplane–when I strike up a conversation. ‘When I say the words “evangelical Christian” what comes to mind?’ In reply, mostly I... Read more

evangelical Christian

gay rights

grace of Jesus Christ

his work instead of our work

how amazing is grace?

legalism

Lord save us from your followers

moral majority

Philip Yancey

stench of legalism

2012-12-04T11:54:43-05:00

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 Rainbow Connection

Last updated on: December 4, 2012 at 11:54 am By Susan Cottrell

My husband, daughter and I are on a ship right now. Out over the vast ocean, we saw a rainbow shooting out of the clouds into the water. Unlike most rainbows off in the distance, this one was right in front of us. We followed the arc around to the left and found the other side, pouring into the water. The top went behind dark clouds, but what we could see formed an arc, a perfect half-circle. What kind of... Read more

X Archived Posts

draw near to God

draw near to God and He will draw near to you

2012-11-29T18:31:46-05:00

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.

Behavior Modification Program??

Last updated on: November 29, 2012 at 6:31 pm By Susan Cottrell

Jesus is the founder and finisher of our faith. Our faith. NOT our actions! Oh, our actions naturally flow as we get to know Jesus more and more, and entrust ourselves to Him more and more. But our actions are a byproduct of our faith. Yet, how much time do we spend focused on, teaching, and striving to correct our actions? It’s like watering branches hoping for fruit. Jesus begins and ends (created, cares for, and directs) our faith! Faith is... Read more

The Real Jesus

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abundant grace

behavior modification

Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith

legalism

legalism light

water roots instead of branches

2012-11-23T13:41:27-05:00

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.

Thanksgiving Reflections

Last updated on: November 23, 2012 at 1:41 pm By Susan Cottrell

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. We spent the day with people we love. My sisters, next to me and center, my niece, far right, all our husbands and some of our kids. The men bonded over football, and we women laughed ourselves silly in the kitchen. Yeah. It was fun. We enjoyed those who were with us and remembered those who weren’t. My sister said, “Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, even more than Christmas. Just food and family — and being thankful.”... Read more

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