Topics
Spiritual Concerns
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Editorial
Punk rock pathetic
The Clash, with Strummer leading the way, sustained me all winter. But 10 months later, the realities of life, death, war and revolution have become elusive, buried under mediocre tasks and broken English. I resent the way my life has changed
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Editorial
The big sermon
How big is God? Find out with the “Big Sermon” from our Sermon Contest. -
Editorial
The conviction confliction sermon
We’ve concocted religion – this special mix of shame and hope – to make you always feel conflicted.
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The Soapboxer
An indictment of certainty
Sure, it’s good to wrestle with religious questions. And I’m up for a good intellectual exercise as much as the next person. But ultimately, I don’t expect any concrete answers when it comes to my faith.
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Experiments
Artist-pastor, a vision
The results of an artist call from a church — “Do not use your gifts to speak for the church, use your gifts to speak to the church” Five reasons to stay in church
I hear complaints about fluffy songs, outdated hymns, exclusive language, narrow theology, judgmental messages, too much fashion consciousness, sheer boredom or simply being indoors on a free morning. Instead of yielding to bitterness, why not find positive reasons to stay, even though you don’t approve of everything? Here are some strategies.-
Sinner’s Corner
Confessions of a Christian-ish retailer
The original Sinner’s Corner or the making of a section editor. -
Editorial
Soldier finds Jesus, goes back to the front lines, unarmed
It was his calling. He would go to Iraq, but without a weapon. At first he thought he might be able to do that as a non-combative member of his company. So after prayer and consideration, he applied for Conscientious Objector (CO) status.
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Experiments
Guilt – one of many voices
The rejection of guilt-based social change can be interpreted as weakness. Guilt-based social change workers tend not to stay around very long unless they are made the center of attention which is not healthy for them or for the work.
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The Pastor’s Wife
The failed princess
Once upon a time, in the wealthiest land in the whole wide world, there lived a beautiful girl who dreamed of growing up to be a princess, and/or a ballerina, and/or a missionary.
Unfortunately I was too uncoordinated for ballet, too young for Prince Charles, too old for William or Harry, and, well, my excuse for not becoming a missionary is a bit weaker. Frankly, it turns out I’m just a bit too selfish and spoiled to head off into all the world.
