Go On, Ask Me Anything…

Over the last almost year, you guys have asked me lots of questions, whether it be in the comments, or via email. I have tried to answer them all as honestly as I can.

Sometimes I fear my answers have been inadequate. Sometimes I feel out of my league.

Yet, you all have given me grace and love, friendship and encouragement–and I am thankful. So, I’d like to declare today “Ask Me Anything Day”, a chance for you to ask me any question.

Want to ask about my thoughts on sex, marriage, dating? Go for it. Want to know where I stand on a particular theological doctrine? Ask me. Dying to find out how I blog 5x a week while juggling two kids, a home, and a bun in the oven? Hit me up. I am totally game. And I know you guys will no doubt have some awesome questions.

So don’t leave me hanging. Ask me and I promise to answer each of you. Who knows, your stirring and thought-provoking question could turn into my next post. (I’ll give you full credit of course).

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All That Died, All That Lives

“Easter is not a time for groping through dusty, musty tomes or tombs to disprove spontaneous generation or even to prove life eternal. It is a day to fan the ashes of dead hope, a day to banish doubts and seek the slopes where the sun is rising, to revel in the faith which transports us out of ourselves and the dead past into the vast and inviting unknown.” ~ Anonymous

This Easter, may your mind and spirit be fully aware of all that died on the cross and all that has been brought to life through the resurrection.

What are you doing this Easter? How do you celebrate? What does Easter mean to you?

Easily Offended? Yeah, That's Me

I have a confession to make: I am easily offended.

There, I said it. I’m not proud of this fact. I certainly don’t like sharing this detail about myself, but it’s true. How do I know? Allow me to direct you to Exhibit A.

I have had the fortune of having my blog posts submitted to ChurchLeaders.com, a site dedicated to providing relevant articles for, you guessed it, church leaders. Last week, I casually checked my posts for any comment activity that needed my response. Much to my horror, I found that one post in particular had 20 comments, almost all of which slammed me.

People called me arrogant, harsh, unkind, judgmental, and just plain old mean. I couldn’t believe it. I sat there stunned, staring at the computer screen. Then, I did what any Godly, loving , woman would do… Continue reading Easily Offended? Yeah, That's Me

Let's Keep Talking…

I am pausing on today’s He Said/She Said post, in favor of continuing the discussion from yesterday’s post on Church diversity.

The discussion taking place is an important one, with varying perspectives and experiences being shared. If you haven’t already, please comment and add your voice to the conversation. I would love to hear your thoughts.

As a reminder, too, anyone who leaves a comment on the post will be entered to win a free copy of the new book, Church Diversity–Sunday the Most Segregated Day of the Week by Scott Williams (winner to be chosen at random).

So, let’s keep talking…

Sunday–The Most Segregated Day of the Week

I had the privilege of meeting pastor, and now author, Scott Williams, at last year’s Catalyst Conference. I can say, with not a shred of mockery, that he might just be the coolest guy on the Internet.

A week or so ago, I broke open the race can here on Modern Reject and personally shared with you all of my feelings as a “mixed” race Christian. I have long struggled with the lack of diversity within the Church and I am not alone. Scott Williams has just published a compelling and stirring book, “Church Diversity-Sunday The Most Segregated Day of the Week.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on an early copy. In it, Williams strategically explains how and why, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s declaration that Sunday is indeed the most segregated day of the week rings true, even today.

I wanted to share a video with you that emotionally touches on this topic. (It is only 1:35 long, too. Bonus.) Then, I’d like to open up the conversation.

Here are some questions to consider:

  • How do you feel after watching this video? Hopeful? Angry? Frustrated? Indifferent?
  • Why do you think the American Church has continued to remain segregated?
  • Have you ever struggled with the lack of diversity within the Church? If so, how and why?
  • Have you ever had the blessing of being in a racially, economically, and/or socially diverse church community? If so, how did that experience affect you?
  • How do you think theChurch as a whole can combat and conquer the racial divides so prevalent in our churches?

I am beyond excited to start this dialogue with all of you. This is a conversation that needs to be had by every believer. As Scott Williams explains in one of his compelling videos, the church is “not a white church or a black church. It is God’s church.”

P.S. For everyone that leaves a comment, you will be entered to win a free copy of Church Diversity-Sunday The Most Segregated Day of the Week. I’ll choose a winner at random on Friday. Good luck!

Top 5 Reasons to Skip College

This post is from the archives and it’s really good and you should totally read it.

I attended college, but I’m not quite sure why. In America, many young high school juniors and seniors begin the search early for the perfect college. They fill out their applications, write their essays, attend their interviews, all in the quest for…

For what? A guaranteed salary upon college graduation? A better life? Or a cushier life? Power? Position? Prestige?

After graduating college, I wondered what I had really learned in class anyway? Maybe you’re like me and are wondering if you should skip college? Continue reading Top 5 Reasons to Skip College

Favorite (Nerd) Things Friday

Have you ever been called a nerd? I have…and I like it. I think we all have a little bit of nerd in us…the part of us that is still childlike and excitable. Our inner nerd is the reason we secretly get stoked over the things we love, like a book, or a movie, or the newest shiniest piece of electronic equipment.

Nerds are everywhere, even though people don’t like to admit that they are one. I have certainly felt like the loner-nerd, alone in the things I love. And as proof that you are not alone in your nerd-dom, I thought I’d share with you this Friday some of my own inner nerd-isms. Continue reading Favorite (Nerd) Things Friday

What is Discipleship?

What comes to mind when you think of Jesus Christ’s core ministry? Do you picture Him healing the sick and raising the dead? Do you imagine Him traveling form town to town preaching? Or standing on the Mount and proclaiming what would become the beatitudes?

The ministry of Jesus certainly included all of these things. However, I would argue that His core ministry–the example He left us with to follow–was something even more amazing. Sadly, it’s also something many of us simply disregard and fail to practice…

Continue reading What is Discipleship?

Boys Will be Girls

Today is Wednesday and that means it’s He Said/She Said again, the day I talk exclusively about men and women.

My husband introduced me to this video and I had to laugh because a lot of it rings true. Plus, women making fun of men and men making fun of women is always funny. I’d love to hear your reaction.

So after watching the video, what do you think? (I’ll be sharing my thoughts in the comments).

Who nailed the other sex? Are the “men” more spot on or the “women”? Are you guilty of any of the behavior displayed? What annoys you MOST about the opposite sex?

The Cross vs. The Ladder

I can do all things…

I can do all things…

I have whispered these words to myself. I have held them close and allowed them to blanket me. I can do all things. Me. He is somehow not in the equation.

If I just read enough. If I just devote myself enough to His teachings. If I just push through one more time, then…then I can do. I can accomplish. I can succeed.

I look to the cross and see the work He has done, but I am working, too–striving, pushing, pulling. I can look to the cross, except as I squint my eyes under the pressure of succeeding, as I furrow my brow under the weight I have placed on my own back, the cross looks less and less like a cross. It resembles something quite different… Continue reading The Cross vs. The Ladder