Faith & Culture
What Frozen Teaches us about Power, Privilege, and Community
Just as polar vortices sweep through America, Elsa, one of the main characters in the latest Disney princess movie, Frozen, unleashes her icy power in the fictional kingdom Arendelle, across theaters everywhere. In addition to delighting progressive audiences by satirizing Disney’s own trope of “marriage at first sight”, the story compels viewers, young and old,…
Read MoreFinding the Face of God
Over a meal, my daughter wondered what God looked like. She figures we’ll find out when we get to heaven. *PSA for Sunday School Teachers: do not threaten the gospel on children. As in, ask Jesus into your heart otherwise HELL.* If all we speak of the good news is a salvation to heaven, children,…
Read MoreThe Un-Spiritual Retreat
How’s everyone doing, y’all doing alright? One week until Christmas, anyone becoming undone? No? Good, I’m glad. I, am on vacation, and am slightly delirious about it. I hit a low point last week, in which I physically emitted a deep groan in response to life. Nothing major, just reached the brink of sanity and…
Read MoreSelfless Good Deed?
“Where charity stands watching and faith hold wide the door the dark night wakes – the glory breaks, Christmas comes once more.” – Phillips Brooks Non profits ramp up their marketing efforts during the holiday season in order to benefit from the time of the year associated with giving. Something about the lights and the…
Read MoreFourteen Thoughts on Responsible Faith
It almost seems like an oxymoron to associate the word Responsible with Faith. We tend to think of faith as child-like: innocent, naive, and pure. Being a person of great faith means doing a-typical things, the hard and radical choices to reflect the unlimited strength which can only come from God. Thus, being responsible and…
Read MoreResources for Advent
I wasn’t raised in a religious family and never participated in church traditions growing up. During college, I was drawn to a church with liturgical service. I meditated over the ancient creeds, cited by memory the back and forth cadence between celebrant and the people, and marveled at the changing colors of albs. Following the…
Read MoreGuest Posting for the American Jesus
I am excited to be guest posting over at Zack Hunt’s awesome-ous blog, the American Jesus today. I talk about how the Church needs to listen to Louis C.K and allow ourselves to lament: It’s not comfortable to be sad. We have figured out ways to avoid it with our stuff, our feel-good testimonies, and…
Read More7 Ways to Raise Justice Minded Children
My two kids are stunning. I mean, they’re perfect. Wait, what I’m trying to say, is I think rather highly of them. My husband and I, like most parents, try our best to raise them and instill our values so they become our minions grow up to be responsible citizens of the world. One of…
Read MoreCompassion or pity? and Friendship as Justice
Overheard on a Facebook conversation last week: “There is really not much difference between compassion and pity when it comes to being on the receiving end of it.” This thought gave me pause as I consider compassion to be a central tenet of biblical justice, and yet, I experience this to be true. We use…
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