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Progressive Christian

2016-01-05T17:03:17-05:00

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.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Hate the Sin of Homosexuality or Assume Truth?

Last updated on: January 5, 2016 at 5:03 pm By Christy Thomas

How can conservative Christians who believe that homosexuality is a sin support and show respect to their gay family members, coworkers, and friends in ways that will not compromise their personal faith? The adage, “love the sinner, hate the sin,” is blatantly offensive to those who do not believe that homosexuality is sinful. Is there a more nuanced way to look at this issue? This is one of the most complex questions I’ve been asked. It deals with the nature... Read more

General Conference 2016

hate the sin love the sinner

UMC

2016-01-04T12:06:31-05:00

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.

Why Do We all Have to Lose Weight? New Year's Rant Time

Last updated on: January 4, 2016 at 12:06 pm By Christy Thomas

I suppose it is a silly question: here in the US, we do tend to the avoirdupois body-styles. But still, it is January 4, and I feel like I’m drowning in lose-weight-now TV/Internet/print media. The pleas to support the multi-billion/lie-ridden weight loss industry surround us. “LOSE WEIGHT NOW!!!” they scream. “SPEND MONEY ON US!!!!” they holler. “WE’LL MAKE YOU THIN”” they craftily promise. The problem, of course, is that our bodies evolved to gain weight easily and lose it very,... Read more

new years resolutions

weight loss

weight loss industry

2016-01-01T09:09:10-05:00

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

Last updated on: January 1, 2016 at 9:09 am By Christy Thomas

The “do-over” represents one of the greatest longings of the human heart. Who hasn’t messed up? Who doesn’t want a fresh start, a way to forget the past and see a new, shiny, unmarred future in front of us? That’s the allure of this new year, new day. Many are awakening this morning with fresh resolve to clean up last year’s messes and to actually “do it right” this year. We are all going to get more organized, or lose... Read more

2015-12-30T10:00:02-05:00

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 Most Despised Person in the US

Last updated on: December 30, 2015 at 10:00 am By Christy Thomas

What might it be like to have the status of the most despised person in the US? Right now, that position belongs to Ethan Couch, with the secondary position going to his enabling mother, Tonya. Everyone knows the story by now. At age 16, Ethan steals beer, drives his pickup along a dark road, hits and kills four pedestrians, rolls the truck, paralyzing and leaving permanently brain-damaged one of his friends in the car. Even hours later, his blood alcohol... Read more

2016-09-09T13:20:44-05:00

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.

Ask the Thoughtful Pastor: Disaster Tourists and Changing the Paths of Tornadoes

Last updated on: September 9, 2016 at 1:20 pm By Christy Thomas

What motivates people to show up after disasters to do the rubber-necking thing? I call them “disaster tourists” because they cause huge congestion and keep the trained workers from doing what must be done. Why do we love action movies where cars blow up and ships sink and buildings collapse? What is it that draws us to the edge of volcanoes and near dangerous animals? What pulls us to sporting events where fights are likely or vehicles collide at high... Read more

prayer for tornado to change path

UMC

UMCOR

2015-12-27T12:42:49-05:00

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.

Response to Dallas Storms: Don't Send Shoes. Please.

Last updated on: December 27, 2015 at 12:42 pm By Christy Thomas

[Note: I wrote a version of this post several years ago following some other natural disaster. After the horrific damage from the December 26 tornadoes in Dallas, I’m already seeing people set up collection centers for used clothing and toiletries. Not a good idea.] The number one thing is, “Don’t send your used shoes.” Compassionate people plus tough and tragic situations equals a desire to do something, anything, to relieve suffering. So we ask, “How can I help?” There’s plenty of suffering... Read more

Dec 26 Dallas tornadoes

impulse to help

international adoptions

Philippines

Typhoon Hiayan

what would Jesus do

2015-12-21T13:51:18-05:00

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 Thoughtful Pastor: "Twas the Day After Christmas"

Last updated on: December 21, 2015 at 1:51 pm By Christy Thomas

Note from The Thoughtful Pastor: I wrote this last year, and thought it might be helpful advice again. My newspaper column runs on Christmas Day this year, so hold these thoughts until then–or until you need them! ‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house all the creatures were bloated, down to the last mouse. The boxes were scattered, empty and bare in hopes that the trash man soon would be there. The children were fighting over stuff in... Read more

'Twas the night before Christmas

family

holiday expectations

post-Christmas letdown

UMC

2019-05-26T17:18:44-05:00

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.

Good Church Members or Disruptive Disciples?

Last updated on: May 26, 2019 at 5:18 pm By Christy Thomas

Those disruptive disciples flame with life and passion for God, frequently discard old structures in favor of new and untapped missions, ignore many of the rules and openly break others, and leave unsettledness in their wake. I was in a conversation last night with a good friend about the nature of discipleship. She’s been placed in charge of discipleship for her large church, a United Methodist congregation. We chatted about the history of discipleship plans there. Mostly they involved making sure... Read more

discipleship

religion

John Wesley

Making disciples for the transformation of the world

methods

The UMC

2015-12-16T14:08:35-05:00

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.

Shall We Do Evil So That Good Will Come?

Last updated on: December 16, 2015 at 2:08 pm By Christy Thomas

I watched part of the Republican debate last night (Dec. 15). I chose to listen with a more generous spirit than I have to date. Each candidate genuinely believes that he/she is uniquely suited to be President of the US, an extraordinarily difficult job where every single action and word will be critiqued, examined, and probably slammed by those who dislike whoever the winner ends up to be. That takes guts. Or an extreme lack of caring what others think.... Read more

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Republican Debate

separation of church and state

UMC

2017-11-12T16:36:16-05:00

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.

December Sadness and the Timing of Christmas

Last updated on: November 12, 2017 at 4:36 pm By Christy Thomas

But it is the shorter days here in the northern hemisphere help bring on Christmas sadness. I turn on every light in the house trying to fight back the darkness. This time of year has always been tough for me, and Christmas is anything but a favorite holiday. In my growing up years, it was a time of growing tension yearly between my mom and dad. I, as the ultra-sensitive, peace-making middle child held and internalized much of that tension... Read more

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