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Christian Women and the "S Word"

Recently in my hormonal pregnant state, I began trying to convince my husband that he should just turn the other cheek about something I wanted to do and just let me do it already.

He told me “no” to which I responded, “You’re not the boss of me.”

“Actually,” he started, “I am the boss of you.”

I paused. “Yeah, you’re right. You are the boss of me.” I smiled. He smiled. Of course our exchange was just playful banter and I know too that some people reading this might be completely tuned off or repulsed by the idea of my husband being my “boss.”

Truth is, I like the whole idea and practice of submission. I have heard far too many Christian women snicker, sneer, grumble, roll their eyes, or downright reject the “s word.” But why? Why are women hung up on “submission” when God asks us to do it? Continue reading Christian Women and the "S Word"

Oprah, Suicide, and Second Chances

I just recently saw this video of Oprah Winfrey discussing her pregnancy at age 14. I had no idea she had ever been pregnant as a young girl. Did you?

I knew she had been sexually abused and promiscuous, which she mentions in the video, but had no clue that her decisions and abuse led her to an unwanted pregnancy.

Can you imagine what a young, scared, 14 year-old black girl in the South, during the 1960s, must have felt? Total fear. Total desperation. She admits, in the clip, a horrific outcome, which was that she actually considered suicide.

I’m not the world’s biggest Oprah fan. I admire her for her charity work and what she has accomplished in a wordly sense, which is unmatched. I do disagree with her in regards to God, faith, and the purpose of life in general, but can you imagine a world with no Oprah?

She mentions “second chances” in the video, which got me thinking about the biggest second chance God ever gave me. Continue reading Oprah, Suicide, and Second Chances

The Very Worst Christians

Hello! I hope you all had a joyful and fun-filled Christmas. I sure did, and I am still tired from the last few days.

Last Thursday on Modern Reject, I wrote a piece asking if there really is a war on Christmas. I linked to an atheist blog and the comments that followed were divisive, to say the least.

The comments on the post ranged from discussion of the question I originally posed, to what atheists really believe, to the historical evidence of Jesus’ existence. I was tired by the end of it all, and so were others, I’m sure.

The questions and issued raised got me thinking, though. Why is it that so many people–atheists included–have such skewed perceptions of Christians? One commenter, for instance, compared me to an Islamic-terrorists because I said that I view myself as Christian first before viewing myself as an American. He called that “dangerous.”

I have felt defeated in the past when listening to people describe Christians. They call them brainwashed, delusional, or flat out stupid for believing in God.

But what is it about Christians that others find so insulting, so unnerving, and even dangerous? Why do some people think Christians are the very worst? Are you one of the very worst Christians? Continue reading The Very Worst Christians

Should Christians Be Rich?

The issue of Christians and money gets a lot of people’s pantaloons all in a bunch. We think of negative stereotypes: Television evangelists trying to swindle widows, prosperity preachers selling you a shinier, prettier Gospel, rich Christians who spend generously… on themselves, that is.

On the flip side, some people think believers are called to a humble, pious, and decidedly broke life. While others see no harm in rollin’ in dough, including driving a fancy car or owning a shamelessly large house. They say you can, of course, still love Jesus and be wealthy.

Alright, so Christians can be rich. I know a few (I covet their shiny SUVs and their expensive looking handbags). But should Christians be rich? Are you already forming your response? People have visceral reactions regarding the topic of money, including anger, guilt, or shame. Here’s what I think about Christians and money…

Continue reading Should Christians Be Rich?

My Porn Story

Last week, I posted a video called Ted Bundy’s Dirty Little Secret. The comments that followed were impassioned and varying. The dirty little secret is pornography. I promised to do a follow-up post discussing my own personal views and story regarding the subject, so here I am, ready to talk porn.

I imagine that almost all of us, in one way or another, have been affected by pornography. It is so rampant and so prevalent that it is difficult to escape.

My porn story is probably very much like other porn stories, and it begins on a warm Arizona afternoon… Continue reading My Porn Story

Ted Bundy's Dirty Little Secret

I saw this video a week or so ago over at Human 3rror. I haven’t stopped thinking about it. Please take a few minutes to watch. It is extremely powerful and devastating.

Then consider these questions: How do you see Bundy’s “dirty little secret” affect the world? The church? Individual homes? Marriages? Have you ever struggled with the same “dirty little secret” or known people who have? How do we battle this “secret”?

Next Tuesday I will be doing a follow-up post on this topic, discussing my own personal experiences with the same “dirty little secret.”

God WILL Give You More Than You Can Handle

I don’t remember the first time I heard the phrase “God will never give you more than you can handle,” I just know that, at some point, it became a Christian-ism for me. I felt comforted knowing that God would never allow anything to happen that I could not “handle,” whatever that meant. I’d always be okay. Things would never be so terrible, as to crush me.

I remember quite a few years ago even writing those words to a Jewish friend of mine who was going through a difficult time. I felt like it was in the Bible. It seemed like it should be in the Bible. It sounded scripture-y. I didn’t actually check to see if it was in the Bible however.

But then I got knocked up side the head with the truth. Last week I wrote the post, You CANNOT Be Anything You Want, which was part one in my latest series, Don’t Believe the Lie. You see, that whole “God won’t give you more than you can handle” business is a lie, as well. A nice, big, fat one, too. Oh, how Satan has twisted that one and we’ve bought it.

The truth is, the Bible doesn’t talk about giving or not giving us more than we can handle. Continue reading God WILL Give You More Than You Can Handle

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

(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

How to Be a Dream-Executor

What things have you always wanted to do, but felt were just out of reach? A dream, a plan, a business? What trip have you wanted to take? Where would you go if you could go anywhere?

Dreaming is good. I believe God made us to dream, to weave ideas in and out, and to imagine the endless possibilities. I am good at dreaming. Dare I even say, I am great at dreaming.

It is the execution, however, where I tend to be a bit of a nadda. Sure, I’ve got the ideas, plans, hopes, and wishes, but when it comes time to actually do something about them, well, that is a whole ‘nother story. Realizing my dreams is where I fall flat… on my face.

I am married, though, to a big-time dreamer who is also a masterful dream-executor. He gets the dreams done. I have watched him in disbelief, fear, and wonder, as he plows forward towards what seems to be often unachievable goals. He then not only gets close, but he actually achieves his desired goal.

Since marrying Jonathan, I have become better and better at not just dreaming the dream, but doing the dream, so to speak. God has led me along and been pressing upon me the need to not only have my head in the clouds, but to also place my nose to the grindstone (sorry for two sorta cheesy phrases in one sentence).

So, how do dreams move from one’s mind to become a reality? How do you become a dream-executor? Continue reading How to Be a Dream-Executor