By Beth Demme I’ve heard a rising refrain lately about “ALL Muslims” this or that. I’m tempted to respond with two words the next time I hear it: Westboro Baptist. Any time someone says ALL Muslims are the same, Christians should understand that’s like saying we are ALL like the members of Westboro Baptist Church. Westboro Baptist is a “church” but …
Why I Like to Make Fun of Christians
By Beth Demme I recently had this conversation with a friend: “I’m not on Twitter. I don’t even know what I would use it for,” my friend said. “Oooooh!” I jumped in excitedly. “I use it, mainly, to make fun of Christians.” “But, aren’t you a Christian?” she asked. “Yes! And there is soooooooo much to work with!” I replied. …
When the Bible Changes
By Beth Demme Over time, some Bible verses seem to take on new meaning for me. Maybe you’ve experienced this, too? I can read a verse and think it means one thing, but when I read it again later it has an additional meaning. Or, a verse that didn’t seem meaningful to me suddenly offers a profound insight into my …
Why We Try To Sell God
By Beth Demme God is not a product or commodity, but I have to admit I have, at times, treated him like one. A commodity is something people want that is available in limited supply. I do not believe God is limited, but I am guilty of sometimes acting like my way of being in a relationship with God is …
Doubts at Easter are Okay
By Beth Demme I went to church and saw a dead finger. It wasn’t my church and, luckily, the finger wasn’t just sitting there. I was in a church in Rome called the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. We wound our way through the church to a special room with several reliquaries (containers for holy objects). One of the …
Do You Need to Change Your Filter?
By Beth Demme I spend a lot of time in my mini-van. My garnet Honda Odyssey is only a few years old, but I have over 99,000 miles on it. I don’t know where my Odyssey has taken me, but apparently we’ve gone there a lot. Last week the van told me it needed an oil change. I ignored it …
Why I Choose Church
By Beth Demme Recently I had the privilege of teaching at a women’s conference in Nicaragua. Many of my Nicaraguan friends are shown in this photograph. I’ve been to Nicaragua several times and I’m always encouraged by the love I receive there. One of the topics I spoke on was “Presencia” – the importance of fully participating in community. My …
How to Write a Spiritual Autobiography
How to Write a Spiritual Autobiography By Beth Demme A Spiritual Autobiography is the story of your own life and how God has been present in it. It can include your journey in, and out of, organized religion and all things spiritual. Writing your Spiritual Autobiography is an opportunity to identify specific experiences of God and to reflect on how …