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Progressive Christian

2012-03-13T18:20:09-05:00

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.

I Am Rich, I Am Poor

Last updated on: March 13, 2012 at 6:20 pm By Christy Thomas

“How can anyone get into heaven? It must be impossible!” That’s what Jesus’ disciples said to him after he had told a very rich young man that he had to give everything away in order to inherit eternal life. Most of us aren’t asked to give everything away, but there certainly is invitation to give generously of the money and belongings entrusted to us by God. But lots of people either giving nothing away at all or give scantily, as... Read more

charity

generosity

heaven

inherit eternal life; charitable giving

material things

2012-03-10T11:16:05-05:00

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.

The Rainy Saturday

Last updated on: March 10, 2012 at 11:16 am By Christy Thomas

Onions were picked from the garden, The pot of Saturday soup is on, the scraps sent to the compost heap,and I am ready for a rainy day of writing and thinking. I know families with young children and those with recreational and sports activities planned do dread rainy Saturdays. At this point in my life, I treasure them. I love the sound of the rain. I know each drop nourishes the soil, and is so much better than chlorinated tap... Read more

2012-03-09T15:19:45-05:00

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.

It’s OK as Long As It Stays Hidden

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 at 3:19 pm By Christy Thomas

I was taking a quick break from digging through emails and paperwork and decided to check out the New York Times. My eye caught an article titled, “After Firings and Controversy, the Wedding Will Go On.” I took a look and saw that it was about a gay couple, long partnered, long open about it, life-long faithful Roman Catholics, one of whom was a teacher in a private Catholic high school in St. Louis. He and his partner had decided... Read more

roman catholic authorities

same sex marriage

2012-03-06T16:20:36-05:00

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.

Anything But That!

Last updated on: March 6, 2012 at 4:20 pm By Christy Thomas

The time leading to Easter has long been seen in many Christian traditions as the yearly opportunity to take a good, hard look at the state of our souls and ask the question, “Do I need a Savior?” A great way to engage in that interior journey is to undergo a fast. A fast, the intentional tossing aside of certain practices or gratifications, opens our eyes quickly to our habits of self-indulgence and mindless activities. There is no one proscribed... Read more

2012-03-05T11:44:23-05:00

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.

Questions, Questions, We’ve Got Questions

Last updated on: March 5, 2012 at 11:44 am By Christy Thomas

Last Tuesday, a group of people sat in a circle and we began an open discussion about our questions about our faith. I have called this group “Doubters Anonymous” and have invited anyone who wants to explore any aspect of their faith to come together during Lent and do so in an open, welcoming atmosphere where we have placed a moratorium on heresy hunting. These are the questions that came up in our time together: Questions about prayer: how to... Read more

Ask Thoughtful Pastor

2012-03-05T11:34:17-05:00

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.

Why Are Mean People so Popular?

Last updated on: March 5, 2012 at 11:34 am By Christy Thomas

I just signed an online petition indicating that I will not knowingly ever patronize a business that puts advertising money into Rush Limbaugh’s radio show. I’ve not done something like that before, but, as have so many others, I now say, “enough is enough.” I’ve never liked Rush. I remember first seeing him on TV perhaps 10 or 15 years ago and noting how much glee he gained when making fun of someone. He continually repeated a short video clip... Read more

2012-02-29T09:20:00-05:00

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.

Soul Soil, Church and Garden

Last updated on: February 29, 2012 at 9:20 am By Christy Thomas

Last weekend, I pulled a couple of nice fat green onions from the garden to put in a pot of soup. I’d planted them last fall, and enjoyed watching them grow, preparing to give themselves away in flavor and nutrients. As I chopped them up and dropped them in with the other vegetables, I thought, as I generally do, about the connection between the garden and the church. Both take so much good preparation and much labor and the results... Read more

2012-02-28T10:38:40-05:00

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.

Character, Charisma and Covenant

Last updated on: February 28, 2012 at 10:38 am By Christy Thomas

As I have posted openly about my horror over the situation unfolding at St. Luke “Community” UMC, I have been accused of being judgmental and throwing Mr. Gordon, former Senior Pastor there, under the bus. Three points: First, anyone can begin a church. Unlike, for example, the medical profession, there are no national standards of credentialing for clergy to hang out a shingle. Second, Mr. Gordon has a lawsuit filed against him but no judgment. There are only allegations of... Read more

covenant relationship

ordination credentials

united methodist church

2012-02-23T18:29:44-05:00

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.

On the Pastoral Life and the Need for Rest

Last updated on: February 23, 2012 at 6:29 pm By Christy Thomas

I was deeply touched by Steve Blow’s column today in the Dallas Morning News. He speaks compassionately of the successes and pressures of Skip Ryan, former senior pastor at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, his abrupt resignation in 2006, his challenging path into and away from prescription drug abuse, and his restoration to the pulpit. So few really understand how very human pastors are, that our temptations are the same as anyone else’s, and that our opportunities for periodic refreshment and... Read more

clergy

clergy exhaustion

sabbath rest

2012-02-22T10:15:39-05:00

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 Small Stuff

Last updated on: February 22, 2012 at 10:15 am By Christy Thomas

I saw this intriguing article over the weekend. The writer speaks of a charter school in Chicago where the students must pay a fine for violating even the smallest rules. Here’s how the atmosphere at the school is described: A sense of order and decorum prevails at Noble Street College Prep as students move quickly through a hallway adorned with banners from dozens of colleges. Everyone wears a school polo shirt neatly tucked into khaki trousers. There’s plenty of chatter... Read more

public schools

respect

schooling

educational atmosphere

little things matter

showing respect

the small stuff

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