I’m not even sure how to write this post. I don’t know where to begin or where to end, so forgive me if I ramble. Or cry. Or blubber all over the page.
This is my last Modern Reject post after all.
So where do I start?
This last year of blogging has left me wanting. I found myself less and less dedicated to this blog, less and less motivated, and less willing to write the kind of posts I had become known for writing. I didn’t want to drum up controversy, or rock the boat, or stir the pot anymore.
I didn’t want to write divisive posts or respond to angered commenters. I didn’t want to defend my faith or hell, my theology for that matter. I didn’t want to “make my case” or “prove my point” or “defend my position.”
Oh man, I am just eeking in this sucker. Whew. I have to admit, I didn’t write much this year, but what I did write, I loved. I think 2013 proved to personally be some of my favorite posts.
So here’s a run down of the most-read Modern Reject posts of 2013. It’s always surprising to see what was most popular and wasn’t so much.
You know, who was the star quarterback and his girlfriend and who was the band geek and drama nerd (all of whom I love and adore).
Holy crap, it’s November. I’ve been excited it’s finally Fall and the holidays are around the corner. What are your favorite things about Fall?
Mine include raiding my kids Halloween stash, eating other people’s delicious seasonal baked goods, and consuming lots of turkey and cranberries. Yeah, it’s all food related. Don’t judge me.
Okay, so onto this week’s Friday Findings:
The people who brought us the Bible on our phones–YouVersion, now has a new Bible app for kids. The homeschooling mom in me is geeked out about this, in fact. Looks like it might pretty good instead of really cheesy like most Christian kid things.
Sonny wrote a great post called “When We Were Asexual.” Don’t be fooled by the title either. It’s not what you think and it’s so good.
My husband is a go-getter. You know, one of those people who is full of ideas and then writes down goals and then achieves said goals. He even wrote a personal mission statement. I did not. But this post inspired me to maybe go ahead and write one anyway.
Can an Introvert Really Be a Pastor? The title of this post sort of got me all huffy. “Of course they can! For the millionth time–Introverts like people!” This guy has a different take and while I don’t agree with all of his points, it’s a valuable read.
Rapper Ja Rule Talks About How Hillsong Changed His Life. I wish he had just yelled “Jesus!” but I still love watching stuff like this. God can use any church, any pastor, any believer, any gathering to reach whomever He chooses.
I gotta say, it feels good to be blogging again. I mean, I’ve missed it. I’ve also missed perusing the interwebs because when I wasn’t blogging, I wasn’t really online. So discovering again all the goodness there is to share each week makes me happy. Here you go:
The other day, I ran into a friend and he told me about a blog I needed to check out, so I did. It’s called Toward Fatherhood and I’m hooked. It’s funny, wise, original. I’ve added it to my daily read list. You should too.
Why We Need Denominations. So remember when I wrote a post this week about denominations and you all got into it in the comments (which I love, by the way). Well a day later, I stumbled upon this post from Relevant about why we need denominations. Go figure.
This week, Rachel Held Evans celebrated her 10 year anniversary while Jonathan and I celebrated our 8th. She wrote about the myths versus the realities of marriage. I found myself agreeing with much of what she had to say. What about you?
A little Strange Fire seriousness and response from Frank Viola, in part 1 and part 2. These are the only articles or posts I have shared or will share about the controversy.
Sarah Bessey crawled inside my brain and my heart and my soul this week and put it all on a page. Brilliance and beauty in one, like she does.
And my favorite Friday Finding for the week: the video below. It’s a bit long, but trust me–it is so worth it. If this isn’t one of the most powerful and tangible displays of Jesus loving His Bride and this truth being represented in marriage, I don’t know what is. It’s True Love.
So which was your favorite from this list? Got anything fascinating, enthralling, or downright life-changing you’d like to share with me?
Let me start by saying “thank you.” Thank you for sticking with me despite my virtual disappearance from this blog. Thank you for being patient with me while I figured out what the heck I’m doing. Thank you for still being willing to read and be a part of this community. You guys are the best. Really. I mean it.
Secondly, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for just leaving and not telling you where I was going. To be honest, I didn’t intend on leaving. I took one week off due to busyness. The next week I felt uninspired. The following weeks I was on vacation and then really sick. And before I knew it, over a month had gone by without so much as a “Hey dude, what’s up?” from me. So I’m sorry.
Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way. Let’s talk. I’ve had some things on my mind and I gotta tell you guys.
Last week, I turned 33. (This, I don’t wanna talk about.) But, every year my birthday rolls around I can’t help but get all reflective and introspective. Which got me thinking about Modern Reject. In doing so, I realized that I have really been lacking motivation, passion, and vision for my writing. Continue reading The Future of Modern Reject
So a while back, one of my favorite people on the planet, Renee Ronika asked me if I’d like to be a part of something big. Something unique. Something that would impact the Kingdom in new ways. Something just for women.
I, of course, said “Heck yes! Where do I sign up?”
Now, here I am, along with a team of amazingly talented, bright, and Spirit-filled women launching the first ever:
If you’ve spent more than 5 minutes on Modern Reject, then you know of my great admiration and fondness for a certain Frank Viola. Well, my friend Frank has just released a new book called God’s Favorite Place on Earththat could literally change your relationship with God, help you defeat bitterness, free you from a guilty conscience, and help you overcome fear, doubt and discouragement once and for all. Sound too good to be true? Like some Christian version of a late night infomercial…?
This is a book that will jar you out of your “Christian rut” and give you new eyes for looking at EVERYTHING. It’s a quick, inspiring, and entertaining read. I promise. In fact, God’s Favorite Place on Earth already spoke into my own life in a very specific and profound way.
All that to say, you should buy this book. Buy it now. And me saying that means something because this is the first book I have ever heavily endorsed on this blog.
Here’s the sweetest part: if you get the book between May 1st to May 7th, you will also get 25 FREE GIFTS from 15 different authors including Leonard Sweet, Jeff Goins, Andrew Farley, Steve McVey, DeVern Fromke, Pete Briscoe, Frank Viola himself, and many others. Ahh-maazing, right?
Over 47 Christian leaders have recommended the book, including me.
“God’s Favorite Place on Earth” illuminates the town of Bethany, welcoming us to visit and, in doing so, gain a powerful and irreplaceable picture of our Lord. Viola effortlessly weaves together a compelling narrative with practical wisdom, offering a fresh, imaginative, and exciting new vision of Jesus Christ, while also challenging our thinking to make room for this new revelation of an incredibly intimate and altogether real Christ.”
Nicole Cottrell, blogger at modernreject.com
The premise of the book is simple and 100% Biblical: when Jesus was on the earth, He was rejected everywhere He went . . . from Bethlehem, to Nazareth, to Jerusalem. The only exception was the little village of Bethany.
The curtain opens with Lazarus, who is now ready to die, telling the incomparable story of Jesus’ interactions with him, Martha, and Mary. God’s Favorite Place on Earth blends drama, devotion, biblical narrative, and first-century history to create a riveting book that you’ll find difficult to put down. Within each narrative, the common struggles Christians face are addressed and answered.
I am inviting you to visit GodsFavoritePlace.com to get hooked up with your 25 FREE GIFTS, read a Sampler of the book, and watch a compelling video trailer. You’ll be happy you did.
P.S. I wasn’t paid or perked in any way for this endorsement. I just genuinely love the book (and Frank Viola) and wanted to share it with you.
Just for kicks, what’s the best book you’ve read lately?
Holy crap, you guys…did you realize that it has been over 3 months since I’ve written a Friday Findings post? Of course you didn’t. I didn’t either. But, their baaaaacckkkk….
[Time to get excited.] Let’s pretend it’s Friday, shall we? I’m a little excited myself.
So, in honor of the newly resurrected Friday Findings, I’m switching things up a bit. Yes, you’ll still find the usual amazing, poignant, and yet simultaneously trivial links to the random stuff I like. But I will also be adding a few extra goodies:
From now on, each Friday I’ll be sharing with you my Favorite Blog Comment of the Week and Tweet of the Week. That means if you leave some uproarious, or deeply touching, or painfully brilliant comment on the blog, I’ll share it here on Friday Findings. I’ll also send you a virtual hug and fist pump. Score! Same goes for the best tweet of the week.
Which means if you don’t comment on MR or follow me on Twitter, you can’t win. And yes, it’s a contest. And yes, you know you want to win. So get on it.
Now onto the links and stuff:
Did this really happen? I cannot imagine the terror, but I can imagine it making a suh-weet Hollywood flick staring Ryan Gosling.
This is an oldie, but goodie from Carlos Whitaker about “professional church people.” My thoughts exactly.
My friend Arianne recently launched her exquisite beauty of a new site called Mabel + Riv. It is just about the prettiest thing around and not only that, it is filled with the depth, richness, and perfection of Arianne’s words. Go now and be happy you did.
Today, I have the privilege of sharing a very personal and intimate story at Prodigal Magazine. It is a story close to my heart and still tender. So tender, in fact, I almost didn’t want to write it, but felt that it was time.
Here’s a taste:
Once married, I spoke about sex with jaded and jagged words. I hated to call it “love-making” because the inner lies told me it had nothing to do with love. My past sin told me sex was just a physical act to be dabbled in casually and carefree. I could enter into a place of pleasure for brief moments, but only through prayer and petition, when I was able to escape all the lies I had once been told about sex–what it is and what it is not.
My shame and old life wanted to tell me that I was unworthy of a healthy sex life. That, somehow, by not waiting until marriage, I had forfeited the right to enjoy the beauty and splendor of it now.
And for a long time, I believed those lies. For too long, I allowed my past to rob me of my now and present. I let what once was determine what could be. But thankfully, Jesus does not.
Please join me over at Prodigal to read more. I’d love to read any thoughts, reactions, and your own stories of overcoming shame and battling lies about sex. I hope to see you there.
Today, I’m over at Grace Biskie’s blog, Gabbing with Grace. I admit, I’m a little embarrassed that I’ve yet to introduce you to Grace. If you don’t already know her, you’re missing out. I’m excited to be featured on her blog today.
Here’s a taste:
My Imperfect Jesus
No one told me and how could they have known. I didn’t even know to ask. When the man on the stage began speaking about a changed life, a transformed life, and a forgiving God, how could I have known?
I couldn’t of. So, I did what any longing, seeking teenager would do. I said “yes.” I said yes to this Jesus that was being preached, expecting it to change my life, but unaware of how or even why.
What I expected though, if I’m being honest, was ease. I suppose on some level, I anticipated that a life spent serving Jesus would be a pain-free life, or at the very least, an easy life.
But, I didn’t know the truth of this and no one told me then.
I’m not even sure how to write this post. I don’t know where to begin or where to end, so forgive me if I ramble. Or cry. Or blubber all over the page.
