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Progressive Christian

2017-01-10T15:44:14-05:00

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.

Church: take notice–people are leaving and not coming back

Last updated on: January 10, 2017 at 3:44 pm By Christy Thomas

We all know the church ship is rapidly sinking. What fascinates me about the United Methodist Church is how little we seem to care. Instead, we wasted at least a generation and a massive amount of money with arguments over petty issues, and especially over petty issues that make us look like a bunch of “haters” to the wider world. We continue to ordain lots of bright-eyed, idealistic men and women. We promise them financial security with guaranteed appointments, health... Read more

united methodist church

2017-01-10T15:46:09-05:00

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.

Walking, weight loss and wishful thinking

Last updated on: January 10, 2017 at 3:46 pm By Christy Thomas

These shoes have seen at least 800,000 steps since September of this year, probably more than a million steps in the two years I have owned them. I recently took them in to get new soles after I realized that I was tilting while walking on them. In September, I had my “aha” moment. It had been a summer of relative inactivity, compounded by my husband’s foot surgery and my own suddenly worsening cardiac problem. I found myself shocked by... Read more

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exercise

fitness

2017-01-10T15:46:28-05:00

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.

What religion does to women

Last updated on: January 10, 2017 at 3:46 pm By Christy Thomas

I am republishing the article below as one example among many about the ways religion is inappropriately used to oppress women. Christianity has an equally bad track record. May 2017 be the year when women draw the firm line in concrete that says, “NO MORE.” Women’s Rights Banned By Quran, Nigerian Cleric Argues Nigeria’s most senior Muslim cleric called on Nigerian lawmakers to shun any legislation that contradicts the teachings of the Quran. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar,... Read more

2016-12-28T15:39:32-05:00

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 Year/new mercies (we hope)

Last updated on: December 28, 2016 at 3:39 pm By Christy Thomas

We have reached the end of 2016. It seems like many found this past twelve month period unusually difficult. Think of Syrian refugees, beloved celebrity deaths, world-shocking political upheavals. I personally have friends suffering from soul-shattering health crises and even more in spiritual crisis, wondering where God is in the midst of this. As do many, I both look back and look forward at the calendar change. It is time to clean out files, drawers, and closets in preparation for... Read more

new years resolutions

2016-12-22T17:21:48-05:00

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.

FENCES, a review: it’s power sticks with you

Last updated on: December 22, 2016 at 5:21 pm By Christy Thomas

I knew nothing about FENCES when we walked in except that its connection to Denzel Washington. Nothing. Perhaps a bit of research would have helped/ Probably most of those who will see it will be like us: ordinary movie-goers, not necessarily well-versed in Broadway stage hits written by writers from the 80’s. What we saw was a fascinating, troubling, occasionally mind-numbing intimate glimpse into a black, lower-middle class family in 1950’s Pittsburg. Most of the action takes place in the... Read more

2016-12-20T12:11:52-05:00

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 Brother printer, customer service and the church

Last updated on: December 20, 2016 at 12:11 pm By Christy Thomas

Bissell vs Brother Customer service at its worst. Endless correspondence, multiple useless fixes, and a relatively new, what should be long-lasting workhorse black and white Brother laser printer is now destined for the trash heap–or where ever I can take a piece of broken electronics where its burying place will not further pollute the environment. Contrast this experience with one I had recently with Bissell. About two years ago, we had purchased a lightweight, battery operated vacuum from them. We... Read more

clergy responsibility

Costco

excellence in worship

2017-01-10T15:46:57-05:00

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.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Can I give silently or must I mention my faith?

Last updated on: January 10, 2017 at 3:46 pm By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: In this season of giving, which is really an all year affair, it is ok to love and help people, even to save their physical lives, without urging them to become Christians? Is it ok, as a Christian, for me not to mention my own faith as I give of myself and my means? Is it enough and appropriate to let the giving speak for itself? Jesus did this at times, didn’t He? I’m not sure. Please... Read more

2024-07-23T09:30:28-05:00

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.

Collateral Beauty: a life-changing intervention

Last updated on: July 23, 2024 at 9:30 am By Christy Thomas

We’ve all heard of collateral damage–unintended bad consequences of actions meant for another purpose. Stories of collateral damage spill over with pain, questions, anger and “How could this happen?” But stories of collateral beauty? Of something wonderful coming from tragedy? One would not think so, but that’s the premise of the movie by the same name, Collateral Beauty, directed by David Frankel and starring such big names as Will Smith, Keira Knightley, Kate Winslet and Helen Mirren. It’s due for... Read more

2016-12-12T17:14:37-05:00

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.

Every child born changes the entire world

Last updated on: December 12, 2016 at 5:14 pm By Christy Thomas

Every child born changes the entire world. Whether eagerly longed for or dreaded, male or female, impoverished or ultra-wealthy, every child changes the world. Whether loaded with physical and mental challenges or worry-free healthy, a musical prodigy or profoundly tone-deaf, hair sunny-silky light or wildly curly/kinky dark, skin glorious ebony-rich to albino-like pale, every child changes the world. Whether left or right-handed, born already reading philosophy or never able to read even one word, oldest or youngest or in a... Read more

2016-12-07T10:51:07-05:00

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.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Would Jesus give to panhandlers?

Last updated on: December 7, 2016 at 10:51 am By Christy Thomas

Dear Thoughtful Pastor: I have often wondered how we should handle panhandlers? Mostly I feel like it’s my job to be generous and let God sort it out but sometimes I feel like a schmuck when I give them cash. What would Jesus do? For starters, I would suggest you start viewing panhandlers in a totally different way. Think of them as door-to-door salespeople, much like children needing to raise money for school projects. The children walk to your house... Read more

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