Et Cetera Archives - Page 4 of 15

Friday Findings: Privacy, Pinterest, and Loving Obama

So, you may have noticed that Friday Findings have been a little absent the last few weeks. I apologize, but hopefully now that I have my act together you’ll have lots to read.

There’s so much good stuff to share. I bursting at the seams…not really, but I’m excited. Here we go:

Censoring God. My friend Moe of Beta Christian nails it. If you happen to frequent Christian blogs or you are a Christian blogger, read this!

Is Jesus the Only Way? In his usual brilliant way, Frank Viola, sets out to answer a series of question from skeptics in regards to Christianity. The portion I enjoyed best asks if Jesus is the only way? This is powerful and yet practical stuff. Necessary tools for any believer. Here’s part one to start, as well: There is a God.

College. Forget It. From the blog Christ and Pop Culture is a succinct and well-written blog post after my own heart called, Is College Worth the Money?

Pinterest and Christians. If you are a woman, chances are Pinterest has made you feel bad about yourself at some point. And yet, we keep going back. Nikki Weatherford wrote a great post called The Pinterest Guide to the Christian Life. So good.

I Love Barack Obama. Regardless of your politics (because this has absolutely nothing to do with politics) you need to read this post from Jamal Jivanjee, Why I Love Barack Hussein Obama (An Open Letter to the Saints in America). If you read nothing else, please read this. It exemplifies the Father’s love and could be one of my favorite examples of God’s heart…ever.

A Call for Privacy. From Sarah Markley over at a Deeper Story. She writes: “But we often don’t value people who are wise enough to keep some of their lives private.” This post is filled with truth and addresses our over-sharing, Instagram-loving, Facebook-updating culture.

Jesus Healed Me! Lastly, a video, which I rarely do (but am going to try and do more often actually). I watched this the other night and got choked up. We make it so complicated and it’s not. It’s so simple. God. Jesus. He loves us. He is awesome.

Did you watch the video? I mean, seriously, does it get any better? What did you discover this week that is share-worthy? Let’s hear it!

GIVEAWAY: 31:Ten (Awesome Shirts for Chicks and Dudes)

*************THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED************************

Have you ever noticed how most Christian clothing is cheesy or lame? Of course you have because it is so obvious. I become visibly embarrassed when I see Christians wearing shirts that say things like “Jesus is my BFF” or “Keep Calm and Pray On.”

I cringe. It hurts.

But, then something wonderful happens and just when I’ve begun to think that all Christian apparel is trash-bin worthy, a company like 31:ten makes its appearance. Oh, and they want to give you some free stuff! Continue reading GIVEAWAY: 31:Ten (Awesome Shirts for Chicks and Dudes)

Friday Findings: Looking Fat, Castration, and Food Porn

I survived the week, in part thanks to you. I also found some great reads this week. Happy Friday Findings…

Funeral Director at Large. The blog of Caleb Wilde, funeral director, is fascinating. His post, The Mourners Bill of Rights, is full of practical wisdom and grace. If you have ever had a loved one die, you will find solace in this post.

Gospel Centered Discipleship. That’s the name of a new book and I have to say, the title caught my attention. I read the forward to the book over at Matt Brown’s blog and I’m hopeful about this one. Here’s a taste: “I have become painfully aware that people tend to drift away from the gospel soon after their conversion and begin to try their hand at sanctification.” Sounds promising, right?

Do These Pants Make Me Look Fat? Allison Vesterfelt went for it and asked the age old question that no man ever wants to hear, but her response is not one you would expect. Which shouldn’t be surprising coming from Allison.

Vertical Church. So, I’m not a big conference type. I mean, I’ll go occasionally (like my trip to Catalyst this October), but usually it’s not my cup of tea. However, I was recently invited to attend the Vertical Church Conference and based on the vision, I can’t wait. Maybe there’s one coming to a town near you…

Go on, Castrate Your Husband. Nikki Weatherford wrote this hilarious, tongue-in-cheeck, and yet truth-filled and wise post about how women can go about castrating their husbands. Does it sound intriguing? It is. Check it out!

A Choice in Your Loss. Often, well-meaning individuals can ask the wrong questions at the wrong time, but God can still provide an answer. Alece Ronzino, shared over at a Deeper Story this week, about how we never really get on “the other side” of a tragic loss. One of my favorite reads of the week, for sure.

Lusting After Food. This is an interesting read about our cultures food porn addiction. I have to say, I might have a beautiful food addiction. It’s all those sexy asparagus stalks and voluptuous heads of broccoli.

So, what caught your eye this week? Anything you care to share? Or heck, how was your week?

Bad Church Signs…Just Because

I feel like its maybe been a bit heavy this week on Modern Reject, what with me almost dying followed by the whole discussion on judging other’s sins. You know, nice and lighthearted.

I’ve also had a lot of personal junk going on, including ongoing physical pain. Basically, I feel like junk. Oh, and to top off the week, I’ve received some less-than-encouraging emails from a few individuals that inevitably lead to me to question why I write this blog in the first place.

But, let’s put all that aside. That’s what I decided to do and in doing so, I spent far too long on various websites reading completely ridiculous, perhaps even inappropriate, but hilarious stuff. With that in mind, I decided to share a few of the bad church signs I viewed.

If you’ve seen any of these before, I apologize. But, hopefully they will just make you chuckle…that’s what I needed anyway. Continue reading Bad Church Signs…Just Because

My Favorite Posts You Haven’t Read

Sex sells. So does raising titillating and often uncomfortable questions it seems. At least, those are some of the things that “sell” on this blog.

A little while ago, I shared the Top 10 Posts of 2012 (So Far). The posts that comprised that list were a bit of a surprise to me. Sure, some are a given, but it seems that almost every time I write a post that I absolutely, completely love and feel proud of–only a few of you read it.

My favorites posts get less action and the posts that I am undoubtedly unsure of and feel insecure about usually do well. Go figure.

But, with all that in mind, I thought I’d share a few of My Favorite Posts You Haven’t Read (maybe you have read these because you are a hardcore “reject” and for that I thank you). I’m going all the way back to the archives from two years ago when I started this baby.

Here they are, in no particular order: Continue reading My Favorite Posts You Haven’t Read

Friday Findings: Anxiety, Fallacies, and Rule Breakers

Okay, so you may have noticed that last Friday there were no Friday Findings to speak of…sorry about that. But, today, I’m here to make up for that fact with an extra awesome and extra long list of gems and goodies.

So much to see, so little time…

Wake Up for Your Kids. No post has convicted me as much as this post, in quite some time. I have been hearing the Lord gently directing me in this and then I stumbled upon this post. It was confirmation of the changes I need to make at home.

Logical Fallacies. If you are a theological, analytical, or heck, argumentative type, you’ll probably find this site hilarious. It helps you call people out on the most common logical fallacies. Genius. Not so grace-filled, but genius nonetheless.

Us and Our Anxiety. A well-stated and interesting read from the Huffington Post asking whether or not anxiety is simply a natural human emotion that we have begun to pathologize, due to our cultures obsession with “treatment.”

Oh, Dave. Save It. Are you a Dave Ramsey fan? I sure am. I took a Financial Freedom class in college and have never thought about money the same way since. This post, however, challenges much of Ramsey’s teachings and does so in a loving, truth-filled, and honoring way. A good read.

10 Steps to Sanctification. The Barna Group, A.K.A. the Christian research top-dogs, is soon-to-be-coming out with a book that suggests that each of us can trace our spiritual journey in 10 steps. Sound hokey? I’m not sure either, but I’m intrigued.

Mary, the Bondservant. Do you ever think about Mary? I do and quite often, in fact. I imagine the angel standing before her explaining that nothing, including the world, would ever be the same. Well, Rebecca at her blog The Upside Down World, wrote a lovely and compelling post about the mother of Jesus. One of my personal favorites this week.

Rule Breakers Unite. I’ve mentioned Alice Bradley here before. She is, without a doubt, one of my favorite blogger/writers/funny ladies. Calling her hilarious is an understatement and writing funny–consistently funny–is so hard to do, but, posts like this continue to make me laugh out loud.

Love me some Frank. If you’ve been around this blog more than once, you probably know that I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Frank Viola. So, it is easy for me to recommend anything he has written…and of all his 13 books, each one is priceless. That being said, his new book, Beyond Evangelical, is now available (I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy). Another of his books, Revive Us Again (one of my favorites) is also available for a discounted price. BONUS: It is a signed copy from Frank himself. Score.

Alright my friends, lay it on me…What caught your eye this week? What did you read that you just have to share? What did you read that made your skin crawl? What else is going on? Anything?

Friday Findings: Gays in Heaven, Hottie Girls, and The True Gospel

So much has happened this week, I almost feel overwhelmed. Except that much of what has happened has been the moving of the Spirit and God doing big things (more to come on all of that).

Not to mention, there was so much awesome stuff in the ol’ blogoshpere this week–stuff I couldn’t wait to share with all of you.

So let’s get to it:

Will There Be Gays in Heaven? Craig Gross of XXX Church is the real deal. He seems to me to be one of the few really well-known, highly respected Christian figures who just gets it. What is “it?” Jesus. The article he wrote for CNN is a perfect example. Truth and grace, all over the place.

Little Girls and Hotties. Do you have daughters? If so, then you need to read this post from Karen Yates about modesty and our little girls. She asks us what the boundaries of modesty should be for our daughters and gives tons of practical examples. Good stuff.

Stop Trying to Imitate Christ. I introduced Jamal Jivanjee to you a while back. He has quickly become a powerful and edifying resource for me. This post from him is a prime example, filled with the richness and truth of Jesus and His Word. If you’ve ever struggled with trying to “act like Jesus” and failed, please read this.

The Circle Unbroken. Cathleen Falsani is one of my favorite Christian bloggers, although it’s rather unfair to call her a “blogger” because she is much much more. She is an author and writer first and foremost and this post from her tells you why. It is all of the beauty, simplicity, and loveliness of Jesus’ church and how it can look so different and yet still reflect Him.

The True Gospel. Not a single post this week got me as pumped and excited as this one. A taste: “Religious jargon will become fossils and equally nutritious. A new sweeping movement of the gospel couched in the terms of our culture and swept through communities by the Holy Spirit is coming.” Um, yes and yes!

An Inside Peek into my Church. If you desire to see and read what my church life is like, my friend Donald, has posted a letter essentially chronicling our church activity over the last month or so. Healing? Check. The Holy Spirit in abundance? Check. Prophesy? Check. God’s people being ignited? Check. Go on, I know you’re curious. (While you’re there, check out the rest of Donald’s blog. He speaks truth like no one I know and I love it!)

So there you have it. It’s quite a list this week, don’t you think. I have so much to chew on and pray through from these writings alone.

Now, it’s your turn. What events, experiences, or words encouraged you, challenged you, or edified you this week? Or what angered you, convicted you, or compelled you to seek God?

P.S. Did you see the Modern Reject giveaway for the chance to win a Bible study series from the teaching power-house Kasey Van Norman? Don’t forget to enter to win and get the hook-up!

GIVEAWAY: Named by God

******************THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***********************

Congratulations to Sami Jo on winning the giveaway!!

Hi Rejects. Have you heard of Kasey Van Norman? If not, allow me tell you about her for one quick second…

Kasey is the vision, passion, and beauty behind Kasey Van Norman Ministries, where she ministers to people through her gift of teaching. This girl can teach, let me tell you. Not to mention, she is all about empowering others through, the Word and the Spirit, to find freedom in Christ (it’s like she’s my passion twin).

So when Kasey’s new book cam out and she graciously supplied me with some copies, and extra goodies for my readers, I was stoked.

Her new book, Named by God, is the story of her own path to freedom, yet told in a way that makes freedom in Christ available to anyone. If you think she comes off as just another female Bible teacher, you’d be wrong. Growing up, Kasey suffered through an eating disorder, sexual abuse, and cutting. As an adult, she experienced a miscarriage and the subsequent devastation it brings, as well being diagnosed with cancer.

She gets it. She understands our need for God’s grace, power, and healing.

All that to say, let’s get this giveaway started. Here’s what one lucky winner will receive: Continue reading GIVEAWAY: Named by God

Spiritual Gifts: The Good Stuff

As promised (’cause I like to keep my promises, especially promises regarding Baskin Robbins that I make to myself), today is the follow-up post to yesterday’s post, Spiritual Gifts: Who Needs ‘Em?. Turns out, most of you believe in spiritual gifts after all. Cool. You even believe in the taboo, swept-under-the-rug, crazy, “charismatic” gifts like prophecy. Doubly cool.

With that in mind, I thought today I’d just share a little bit about how to actually discover your own gift, if you are so inclined, which you should be ’cause knowing your gift is crucial and will have tremendous impact on your identity in Christ.

So, let’s get to it…

Continue reading Spiritual Gifts: The Good Stuff

Friday Findings: Organic Church, Marriage, and Tattoos

You may have noticed that the last few weeks have been void of any Friday Findings. For that, I am sorry. Summer time has taken over, what can I say?

But despite that, today I have all kinds of awesomeness to share with you. So let’s get to it:

Why I Love My Organic Church. I’m a part of an organic church and I love it. And actually, this post from Arianne over at a Deeper Story, is about my organic church. That’s right. Arianne is a member of my church family so, if you have interest in knowing what my church looks like and how an organic church operates, go read this.

The First 6 Months of Marriage. The dynamic duo of Allison and Darrell Vesterfelt (the couple behind Prodigal Magazine) both shared a list of the top 6 things they’ve learned in the first 6 months of marriage. I so appreciate the humility, humor, and honesty in what they shared.

Are You in Your 30’s? Frank Viola posted a survey this week for 30 somethings. He poses, essentially one powerful question to those in their 30’s regarding their faith. If you have time, consider stopping by and taking this quick survey. Also, because Frank rocks.

Books, books, and more Books. Sarah Bessey started a blog series, called 10 Books a Day for a Week. She lists lots of books, from ones she can’t stop reading again and again, to books for little kids, to books for little little kids. It’s great and any book lover would enjoy.

A Good Top 10. Her.meneutics posted their top 10 posts of this year so far. It’s a great list and worth checking out.

A Conversation to Reduce Abortion. If you are passionate about reducing the number of abortions in this country (and I really hope you are) than you will be encouraged by the ideas presented here.

Fear of Tattoos? Are you a Bible-following Christian who is hesitant to get a tattoo? Well, now there is a solution--these super-rad and realistic temporary tattoos from Tattly.com. I kinds, sorta want one of each.

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