Modern Reject - Page 46 of 48 - Nicole Cottrell: Writer, Speaker, Button-pusher

Why I'm No Good at All

You know that expression “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water?” Well, I do that… a lot, and the baby being thrown out is usually me. I have a tendency to disregard any of the good I have done, if it is peppered with any amount of bad, no matter how small. I struggle to accept where I am making progress, whether it be spiritually or otherwise, if I experience any sort of setback.

The words of self-doubt and lack of self-worth come flooding in. “You are no good, Nicole. You cannot do this. You should quit.” Why is it in such moments that I cannot just say to myself, “Yeah, you’ve messed up a few times, but that doesn’t mean you are totally messed up.”

I recently read a book called Having a Mary Spirit. I couldn’t read more than a few pages at a time, otherwise my eyes would swell up with tears, as I was both convicted and comforted, knowing I’m not the only one. The author, Joanna Weaver, posed one question in the very beginning of the book that rattled me. I sat on this question for days, then weeks, and I am still asking myself:

“If we aren’t all good, does that mean we are no good at all?” Continue reading Why I'm No Good at All

Sex: Good, Clean Fun

It’s He Said/She Said Wednesday again, which means it’s time to talk about two of my favorite subjects: men and women. Today, though, is going to get a little saucy, as I am tackling the issue of sex.

The Church and sex have a long and checkered past. Either the Church is silent on the subject, or it’s all too vocal. But how do individual Christians deal with issue of sex?

We believers are not known for being sexy people. We are known for being a whole lot of other things before being sexy. But why not sexy? The Lord, in His goodness, created sex, after all. He even created it for enjoyment and pleasure. So are married believers actually enjoying sex? Or are they perhaps stilted in the bedroom by the negative connotations that the Church, and sometimes the world, attaches to the word “sex”?

Sex is supposed to be fun–so is it? Are you enjoying good old fashioned sex the way God designed it? Continue reading Sex: Good, Clean Fun

My Dirty Little Secret

Want to know why today’s post is a vlog. Well it has something to do with my failure in a certain area. Just watch and see…

So now you know my secret. Crazy right? (wink wink.) Who would have guessed? Well, now I’m turning it over to you. What do you pretend to be good at, but maybe aren’t? What areas has God spoken to you about growing in, even when they maybe don’t seem necessary or needed? I’ve shared mine, so if you feel so inclined to share, what is your dirty little secret? I promise I won’t tell anyone.

Favorite (Rebel) Things

Yes, it’s that time again… Favorite Things Friday! I have kind of been waiting for this post all week. Last week my husband and I celebrated our five year anniversary with tattoos (no, not matching ones).

I debated heavily over exactly where to place my new tattoo. My shoulder? My husband quickly nixed that idea. My foot? Kinda boring , I thought. I decided I would place one right smack dab on my forearm. The tattoo artist expressed some hesitation on wanting to place one there, since I don’t have any other tattoos. “It’s kind of a serious spot,” he said. I liked that. Here was my logic: when I am 50, a tattoo on my hip or foot would look like I was an older lady who once got a young woman’s tattoo. But if I got one on my forearm, it would always look punk rock… now, or even when I’m 60. Hey, it may not be the most rational line of thinking, but that is what I did nonetheless.

Since I call myself a reject, I also consider myself to be a bit of a rebel. I’m no anarchist, of course, but I do dabble in a bit of danger (well, danger for a mom of two who happens to also be a believer). I think it is fun and freeing to, every once in a while, show your rebellious side.

So, in honor of my new tattoo and the streak of rebellion in me, here are my Favorite (Rebel) Things for Friday: Continue reading Favorite (Rebel) Things

Women in Ministry, Part 3: A Portrait of Bianca Juarez

Today is part 3 of the Women in Ministry series on Modern Reject. I have written about the different schools of thought on the subject, as well as my personal stance. Through the ongoing conversation regarding women serving in ministry, some great questions were raised, like: Can women teach men? Is that possible without them exerting authority over them? Today, I am writing about one particular woman in ministry named Bianca Juarez who happens to speak in front of many different audiences, from high schoolers to women’s groups. Today’s post is a portrait of Bianca, a young woman called to a specific ministry by and through the Lord’s direction. My hope is that, in examining her ministry, it will open our eyes to the possibilities of women in ministry, both now and in the future.

Last week, I had the chance to hear Bianca speak in my hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Her ministry is called In the Name of Love and she says this about her calling: Continue reading Women in Ministry, Part 3: A Portrait of Bianca Juarez

The Trouble with My Mouth

“Edgy,” “fresh,” “sharp,” those are some of the words that have been used to describe Modern Reject. I like those words. I like to think they describe me, as well. But how about these words…

“Controversial,” “scandalous,”, and a “boat-rocker,”? I like those descriptions… only, maybe a little less. Since I started blogging a few months ago, I have quickly had to learn how to handle those who disagree with my opinion or stance on a particular issue.

I have been surprised by the comments I have received. Some loving, some not so much. Some people really do desire to understand and discuss. Some people just want to pick a fight. I’m game for a fight, always have been, but somehow I don’t think that is what the Lord has in mind for me.

Last Friday, for instance, I wrote a post called (Un)Favorite Things, in which I poked fun at people who are one-uppers, folks with shaggy hair, and {duh duh, duh duh, insert jaws music here}… liberals. Shriek! Turns out, people don’t like jokes about liberals, especially if they are one. Who knew?

The trouble is, my mouth… Continue reading The Trouble with My Mouth

Check It Out…

Today I have a guest post up over at Scottsdale Moms Blog called 15 Ways Moms Can Use Social Media. Of course, I’m no social media expert, but I offer some practical and fun advice for women wanting to get started in the social media world. It is a 3-part series, so please stop by, check it out, and show some love.

Also, today’s Modern Reject post is part 2 in the Women in Ministry series. I answer the big questions today: Can women be lead pastors? Can women teach men? Is Jesus a feminist? Please offer your thoughts. I’d love to hear how you answer these questions, as well.

hugs and smooches,
Nicole

Women in Ministry, Part 2 of 3

To many outside of the Church, Christianity represents some kind of oppressive, anti-female, pro-male culture. I would have to say that, if that were true, I would probably have walked away from Christianity a long time ago. My personal experience with Jesus has been something quite different from what feminists would have you believe. I believe the Apostle Paul when he wrote the Galatians:

“…for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Last Wednesday, I wrote a post on the topic of women in ministry, which was the first in a 3-part series. I presented the three (or so) different schools of thought on the subject. I was curious to see what opinion you all hold on the subject, as well. It was a mixed crowd, however most of you identified yourselves as moderates. Today’s post, Women in Ministry Part 2 answers the question:

Where do I fall on the subject of women in ministry? Continue reading Women in Ministry, Part 2 of 3

(Un)Favorite Things

Today, as some of you may know is my 5 year wedding anniversary. And how would I happen to be spending today, you may ask, to celebrate? I am having oral surgery. That’s right, like any sane girl, I am getting knocked out, cut open, and then stitched up as a way to celebrate 5 years of love and bliss. So today’s Favorite Things Friday, is actually a list of some of the things that really are not my favorite–the things that bug me, irk me, or I find just plain ‘ole annoying. Here are my (Un)Favorite Things for Friday… Continue reading (Un)Favorite Things

5 Years of Bliss, Babies, and Baldness

Tomorrow is my 5 year wedding anniversary with my husband Jonathan. Can I get a “woot, woot!” It seems like only yesterday we were two young kids crazy-in love, ready to spend forever together. Yet, in other ways, it feels like we have been married 50 years already, especially when we act like some old, married couple.

A lot has happened, though, in 5 years. For instance… Continue reading 5 Years of Bliss, Babies, and Baldness