My Favorite Things Archives

Friday Findings: Asexuals, Introverts, and Scantily Clad Women

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.

These 20 Photos Are Going to Make You Cry (in a good way). They made me cry, but I’m a big baby so…

I wish this “Open Letter to Professional Church Staff Dudes” from Los really could be sent to churches everywhere. Brilliant.

Man, us moms get it so wrong sometimes. We are always hardest on ourselves, as these kids prove.

Have you guys seen BatDad yet? Because if not, you’re not living.

My favorite from the week. Warning: scantily clad women in lingerie. Totally purposeful and worth it though.

Thoughts? Reactions? Loves? Hates? Go!

Friday Findings: Sinners, Strange Fire, and True Love

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.

Pope Francis, You Had Me at Hello, and Lost Me at Sinner. This was an interesting article and while I don’t agree with it all theologically, I greatly empathize with the author’s heart.

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 humor. ‘Cause I had to. I’m sorry. If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.

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?

Friday Findings: Deathbeds, Adoption, and No One at Church

This week’s Friday Findings is a hodge-podge of the weird, kooky, silly, touching, and heartbreaking. Just the way I like it. Enjoy.

These awkward Jesus pictures have been floating around Facebook. If you’ve missed ’em, here ya’ go. You’re welcome.

This might be my favorite finding of the week. It is worthy of its own post and I found it fascinating. There’s not much to say except that we all long for something. Every single one of us–famous or not–is seeking something more, Someone more, whether we are able to articulate that longing or not.

The Top 5 Regrets People Make on Their Deathbeds. This is so poignant. Number 4 spoke to me especially. I am not good at maintaining friendships. It has always been work, but I do not want to carry any regrets. Which one speaks to you?

I really really like Halloween. Not so much the demons and darkness bits, but more so the costumes and the candy. Sorry if you don’t feel the same. And I enjoy a scary novella from time to time (I’m currently reading some H.P. Lovecraft. Know him?). I’ve always enjoyed the creepy, the bizarre, and the morbid. What can I say? So when I found this list of some of the scariest books ever written I smiled.

This story breaks my heart and pisses me off for the sheer fact that any child living in America should never have to do this. I can’t criticize though. I haven’t opened my home to any orphaned children…yet. God used this story to open my heart up even more to the idea.

An Open Letter from Asian American Evangelicals to Stop Being Stereotyped. A thought-provoking and heart-felt plea. “We have imagined and hoped for such a different future for the church, one in which racial harmony would not be an illusion, but a tangible reality.”

What Doesn’t Impress Me–A Message to 20’s and 30’s. Frank again. Bam. And ouch…in a good way.

Why Nobody Wants to God to Church Anymore. I have to say, I very much agree with the author’s reasoning as to why people just don’t want to go to church these days. I sympathize. Heck, I empathize. But the only thing this article did was make me ever more grateful for a church body literally freed from everything on this list.

There you have it. Maybe one of my favorite round-ups ever. What about you? Did anything on the list get you thinking? Got anything good to share with me? WHat have you read, loved, disliked, or rejoiced over this week?

Friday Findings: Pleasing God, Don’t Be You, and Sh*%theads

Yes, I know you can hardly believe it…I’m not only writing, but I’m writing a Friday Findings post. I think it’s been about forever since I wrote one of these suckers.

I’ve missed them. I always read so much rad stuff that I want to share with you guys each week and hopefully I’ll be at it again.

So lets get the party started.

Jamal (and his wife) do it again. If you don’t follow, read, or subscribe to Jamal Jivanjee yet, do it! His blog produces so much conversation, prayer, thought, and revelation in my life. No joke. Jamal often does interviews on his blog. I was honored to do one, in fact. A few weeks ago, he interviewed his wife Brandie and it broke me wide open. Her answers were filled with such wisdom, truth, and beauty. I even shared some of what she said with my church family in our corporate gathering.

Stop Trying to Be You–Jesus. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–Sammy is the dude version of me. I love everything he writes. This was no exception.

What Pleases God. I love the simplicity yet profundity of this post by Frank Viola. Be encouraged by this.

This is Why I Date Shitheads (When I date at All). I hope you’re not easily offended by language and such, because if you aren’t, you can enjoy the witty, pithy, wisdom and hilarity of my friend Chelsea Batten. Chelsea is a real writer, not a blogger like me. She is a master word-slinger and I’m jealous of her craft. Read it and enjoy.

Have you seen this video yet? I posted this gem on my Modern Reject Facebook page (which you should so totally “Like” so we can be even more of BFF’s). If you missed it there, watch it here. Or watch it again, but grab Kleenex first. Can anyone say “snot-fest?”

And finally, a while ago Google Reader said bye-bye. If you used to subscribe to Modern Reject via RSS and haven’t found a new way to subscribe, here are a few recommendations. I personally have started using Bloglovin’ and I like it so far. You can find me here.

Or if feeds and technology aren’t your thing, you can add me to your inbox. I promise to be short and sweet (mostly). Just type your email address into that nifty little box at the top of the home page. And wait for a surprise from “The King”. Promise, it’s worth it.

Whew. Done.

And I loved every second of it. Get to reading already, but not before you tell me what you’ve been reading, loving, watching, and enjoying lately. Go!

Friday Findings: Suicide, Body Image, and Not Being Ashamed

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.

Oh, Frank. You can do no wrong. And this series on rethinking spiritual gifts is about as good as it gets. Read it and be challenged.

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.

I almost committed suicide, but…A reminder (for me mostly) that God can use any person, any church, anything to offer hope.

Brilliance and one of the best articles I’ve ever read about women and body image issues.

All writers lie and they are especially good at lying to themselves.

How to overcome a creative block, from Alice Bradley, one of the funniest and wittiest writers around.

My Favorite Read of the Week: from Rachel Held Evans and happens to be my favorite thing she has ever written. Truly.

Comment of the Week: From Gunnar “This was epically awesome.” Well, thank you.

Tweet of the Week: Didn’t really have one, so get on it already.

And a super big thanks for helping Modern Reject land on the Church Relevance Top 200 Ministry Blogs list for the 3rd time in a row! You rock!

Whatcha got to share with me?

Friday Findings: Sucky Christians, Baptism, and Single Ladies

Oh man, after an almost two week hiatus, I was back this week and it felt guuud. I missed things around here, like you. Yeah, you.

I was also internet-less because I was computer-less so I wasn’t able to keep up with all of my favorite blogs. Today, however, I’m making up for it. I hope you enjoy this week’s Friday Findings because they are juicy and delicious…

This is the stuff that breaks my heart–when Christians have a bad name.

Have you ever had questions about what it means to be “baptized in the Holy Spirit?” This 4 part series from Frank Viola pretty much blew my mind and radically challenged my thinking and understanding of this idea.

Did you hear that the kid from the show Two and a Half Men is now a Christian…and get this…is telling people to stop watching his immoral, depraved, and generally sucky television show? Golden.

Why Rachel Held Evans Won’t Change Christianity from Daylight Atheism. I pretty much disagree with the arguments made regarding the why and how of patriarchy in Christianity–in this case, primarily Catholicism (but I do agree that no, Rachel Held Evans isn’t going to change Christianity). A good read whether you agree or disagree.

For those of us who grew up in chaos, surrounded by abuse, or battled a life of dysfunction–read this and thank Elizabeth Esther for offering such grace and freedom.

The 10 Ten People Christians are Better Than. Wish I had written it…

How Not to Help All the Single Ladies. Yes!

Read of the Week: Lately, I’ve been questioning the effectiveness of my prayers. I feel as though I pray for myself and…nada, zip, zilch. My totally amazing and faithful friends have assured me that this is not the case–that my prayers hold power and authority. All that to say, this post from Bianca Juarez this week was such a needed reminder. I was convicted and inspired.

Okay, your turn. Share away. I mean, don’t share too much so that you’re all creepy and uber-open ’cause no one likes that (I mean, I do, but you know). Just tell me what you read, or loved, or loathed this week.

Friday Findings: Sex Before Marriage, ‘Born Again Myth,’ and Strangers

Friday, sweet Friday…where have you been all my life?

Time to share my picks of the week. Behold the awesomeness…

Strangers, Sweaty Palms, and Selfish Sinners [The story of holding that strange man’s hand] | from Carlos Whitaker. Come on, I know you’re curious.

I’ve been reading a lot lately about what it takes to become an author (don’t get any ideas…I’m just reading up) and no wonder while most people believe they have a book in them, never do anything about it. The ever-impressive Michael Hyatt tells first-time authors how to get it right.

The post of the week I wish I had written from Allison Vesterfelt: The Consequences of Sex Before Marriage. Brilliant and necessary.

Because I’m married to a movie nerd which by osmosis has made me a movie nerd, I present to you The 2,000 Most Important Films of All-Time.

Giving Birth and Dispelling the Evangelical ‘Born Again’ Myth. Heady title? Yes. About one of my favorite-in-your-face-filled-with-Truth-posts-in-a-long-time? Um, absolutely.

Donate to Sandy. I’ll admit, I rarely feel compelled to “donate” to various charity organizations. Maybe I’m a cynic or lazy or cheap (all of the above is certainly a possibility too). But, something about the Superstorm Sandy had me deep in prayer and crying out for my fellow citizens. As a result, I’m giving to The Salvation Army because they rock. Would you consider giving too? If not to them, then somewhere else…

My Pick of the Week: I like really good Christian music. Sadly, it is hard to find really good Christian music. Then CXVI appeared as an ad on my blog. Naturally, I clicked through and lo and behold, they are amazing. CXVI is a project dedicated to bringing back hymns because as they explain, hymns are “some of the richest, most meaningful, and moving pieces of music ever written.” Please support these musicians. You can download 9 free songs by clicking on the ad on my homepage or buy a whole lot more for only $6.99 (P.S. while yes, they’re advertising on MR, they did not pay or perk me to say this. I genuinely like their music and wanted to share).

So, got anything to share with me? I know you do. Let’s have it. Also, out of curiosity, are you following the Presidential election? Any predictions? Only 4 more days!

Friday Findings: The Election, Mockery, And Proof of God

Happy Friday! I’ve had a great week, especially since I celebrated my 7 year wedding anniversary to the man of my dreams. If you’d ever like to spy on us (in a very socially acceptable way) follow me on Instagram @modernreject.

Anyhoo, besides being a fun week celebrating there were also some great reads on the Interwebz. Hope you enjoy and happy weekend. See you Monday!

Did Apple Really Just Screw Over iPad Owners? Pretty much, yeah.

Daughter, Love Your Hips, No Matter the Width from Nikki Weatherford. I wish I had read this as a younger woman.

The Age of Mockery from Daylight Atheism talks about Libya, Islam, and the Muslim definition of “freedom of speech.” Interesting perspective.

Sometimes Truth Arrives in Disguise from Kristin over at Halfway to Normal. A beautiful description of the seemingly mundane, ordinary moments that when we pause long enough to notice hold real beauty.

With the election days away, I had to share this post from Jen Hatmaker. In one fell swoop, Jen systematically attacks the Christian reasons often given for voting Republican or Democrat. I don’t agree with everything she wrote, but I do find it rather brilliant and worth reading. Chew on this, for instance:

“Full allegiance silences our prophetic voice in favor of touting party lines and demands we turn our fellow citizens into enemies for differing viewpoints.”

What’s your condition? How do you cope? Who did you become? A fascinating “psycho-dimensional infographic” that explains how psychotherapy sees you. Healthy? Schizoid? Narcissist? Find out.

18 Things You Didn’t Know Your Slow Cooker Could Make, because I mean, I am a stay home mom after all.

From Nish, The Truth About Going Back to Church. After reading this post, I was overcome with sadness–sadness for what she has experienced and sadness for knowing what could be, but what it seems is not.

My Favorite Read of the Week: From my friend Karen, A Different Kind of Birth (and Proof of God) in which Karen masterfully and beautifully ties the story of her mother’s (very) recent death with the existence of God and new life. You will be so glad you read this.

P.S. In case you missed my interview from yesterday over at Jamal’s blog, please come visit. The questions were challenging, personal, and so fun to answer. Stop over and add your own questions in the comments. Hope to see you there.

My Interview at Illuminate

A few months ago, I discovered the blog of Jamal Jivanjee, Illuminate. Since that time, I have made Jamal one of my daily reads and I am convinced that he is a teacher among teachers, able to illuminate (see what I did there?) the Word of God and, in doing so, bring about a new and fresh understanding of Jesus Christ.

In other words, this guy rocks and I am honored to be featured on his blog today. He asked if I’d be interested in doing an interview, to which I enthusiastically answered, “Yes!” I’ve done a few interviews before, but Jamal’s questions were brilliant. I joked that I actually learned some new things about myself.

So, if you’re interested in hearing me talk about how I found my way back to the Lord after wandering, what (else) my husband does well, how I ended up in an organic church, and my dream for the church as a whole, please come over and hang out. I’d love to see you there. Feel free to ask me any other questions you might have brewing on Jamal’s post.

Friday Findings: Fortune Cookies, Drowning, and Too Close to God

Holy wow, there is just too much to share on today’s Friday Findings…so let’s dig in…

Stop taking pictures of your kids. I mean it. Stop.

Yet another reason I want an iPad.

What to do when you don’t know what to do: “Prophetic insight is not a gift, I think this morning, prophetic insight is a bear and a burden.”

Wait, so I’m not crazy? None of the female persuasion is crazy? Say whaaat??!!

The Gospel in a fortune cookie? Or not. Brilliance all around.

This was so me in college. All of me. Still a little bit of me, but I’m getting better.

Ever feel like you’re drowning? I have. I’m That Girl Who’s Drowning…

Pure fodder and an admitted guilty pleasure read, but yes, as we suspected, Tom Cruise is off his flippin’ rocker…..

Guaranteed to make you cry and cheer. A beautiful post from my friend Tracy Steel, about losing her mother but knowing she will see her again.

This man actually witnessed Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. You read that right. It’s a video from 1956 and it’s pretty remarkable.

Is it possible to get too close to God? Sarah did and I loved reading about it.

My Favorite Read of the Week: If you’ve ever felt like God owed you, if you’ve ever felt disappointed, if you’ve ever felt hopeless, left waiting, uncertain–read this.

P.S. I’m over at Matt Appling’s blog, The Church of No People, today talking about being a feminist and then former feminist wife. Here’s a taste:

What’s more, I could have never predicted that I would be willingly joining a group of people who are often quoted as saying all kinds of absurd things like “Wives have a responsibility to always look hot for their husbands,” or “Women are required to give their husbands sex whenever they want it.”

No. This couldn’t possibly be. No one who loves Jesus could actually make such claims with a straight face. It wasn’t possible. And yet…these ideas are prevalent within the church.

Slowly, however, as God does what it is that He does so well–pull us from where we’ve been and where comfort resides only to drop us smack in the middle of the opposite.

To keep reading, come on over. Hope to see you there.

Category: My Favorite Things