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Here’s a Thought: Opening Act
By Taylor Mason

For those of you not familiar with how I roll: I’ve been a comedian for 25-plus years and been an “opening act” for a variety of performers. Some highlights. ...

Here's a Thought: Death by Cancer
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My sister-in-law passed away last Thursday, felled by cancer after a seven-year battle. She was a dignified, lovely, inspiring wife and mother who beat the odds over and over again.

Time Out: Safety ‘Net
By Patty Elder

Summer in DC means storms, and storms mean power outages. And power outages bring out my worst fear, and it's NOT the dark. ...

Here’s a Thought: Hot Enough for Ya?
By Taylor Mason

The heat was debilitating this summer, so much so that the word “hot” doesn’t do justice to the grades of temperature we've sweated these past few months.

Time Out: Make Yourself at Home
By Cara Garretson

It’s beach week, and so far so good. We bust into our rented beach house and it looks great – the bathrooms are sparkling, the décor is charming, the kitchen is retro. ...

Jesus Don't Need No Stinkin' Bodyguards

April 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT — Teresa Roberts ...

“I am optimistic that Jesus will survive American Christian Culture. He’s been through worse.”

Quoting myself of all things, because that is my most recent Facebook Status Update.

I'm talking about the culture which seeks to put and keep Jesus in a box. Which lays out speedbump after speedbump before whatever group they deem unworthy.

And then, using scriptures (usually taken out of context) as a weapon to divide, build a full-on wall in front of Jesus. God’s waiting room, and they are the snotty receptionist. “And you are?” as in the old SNL/David Spade sketches.

Then there are questions for the seekers. If they are still standing there. If they haven’t completely given up on this stuff. Gay or straight? (Wait, well, he loves them, but doesn’t want them to actually BE gay, capiche? No? Never mind.), and then a laundry list of other things. Pro-life or Pro-choice? (Nothing in between. God forbid we try for some common ground on that one.) Republican or Democrat? Butter or Sour Cream? If you choose the “wrong” one, you are told to change.

That you aren’t being “traditional”, or adhering to “classic Christian orthodoxy”, or “fundamental institutions” or OMG, "conservative." Because, um, yeah, Jesus talked about THAT stuff all the time.

(All these are quotes from peeps I’ve digitally discussed these very things with.)

All that stuff sounds like exactly what Jesus came to punt.

“God-breathed.” Guess what? He’s still breathing. And, sometimes I wonder if he thinks the air "in here" is getting a bit stuffy.

Comments

Sun, 04/19/2009 - 8:18am Anonymous (not verified)

Stuffy? The air in too many

Stuffy? The air in too many churches is downright suffocating? So thanks Teresa for your prophetic voice. And don't let all those peeps who think THEY know what traditional, 'classic Christian orthodoxy', 'fundamental institutions', or conservative mean, get you down. Jesus rebuffed traditions right and left. He was more concerned with how people lived than any manmade set of 'orthodox' beliefs. His fundamentals were nothing more love God and neighbor. And as far as conservative goes -- well, Jesus was more liberal than . . . YOU! So hang in there girl, and keep up the good work.

Sun, 04/19/2009 - 1:50pm Teresa Roberts Logan

Thanks, Anonymous!

I don't mind Anonymous comments, btw!

I appreciate your comments so much. I think it's crazy how people like to box Jesus in, and seem to miss how he is the Word made flesh - and how often he points to the rule-makers as the bad guys, frankly!

Jesus was a radical. Why do so many churches and leaders want us to forget that?

Teresa Roberts Logan
www.LaughingRedhead.com


	Home Features Humor Relationships Faith Entertainment Society Blogs Columns Online Bible NCV's Writers's Guidelines Search Columns Here’s a Thought: Opening Act By Taylor Mason For those of you not familiar with how I roll: I’ve been a comedian for 25-plus years and been an “opening act” for a variety of performers. Some highlights. ... Here's a Thought: Death by Cancer By Taylor Mason My sister-in-law passed away last Thursday, felled by cancer after a seven-year battle. She was a dignified, lovely, inspiring wife and mother who beat the odds over and over again. Time Out: Safety ‘Net By Patty Elder Summer in DC means storms, and storms mean power outages. And power outages bring out my worst fear, and it's NOT the dark. ... Here’s a Thought: Hot Enough for Ya? By Taylor Mason The heat was debilitating this summer, so much so that the word “hot” doesn’t do justice to the grades of temperature we've sweated these past few months. Time Out: Make Yourself at Home By Cara Garretson It’s beach week, and so far so good. We bust into our rented beach house and it looks great – the bathrooms are sparkling, the décor is charming, the kitchen is retro. ... Home › Community Groups › Teresa Roberts Logan - The Laughing Redhead's blog » Jesus Don't Need No Stinkin' Bodyguards Jesus Don't Need No Stinkin' Bodyguards April 17, 2009 12:57 PM EDT — Teresa Roberts ... “I am optimistic that Jesus will survive American Christian Culture. He’s been through worse.” Quoting myself of all things, because that is my most recent Facebook Status Update. I'm talking about the culture which seeks to put and keep Jesus in a box. Which lays out speedbump after speedbump before whatever group they deem unworthy. And then, using scriptures (usually taken out of context) as a weapon to divide, build a full-on wall in front of Jesus. God’s waiting room, and they are the snotty receptionist. “And you are?” as in the old SNL/David Spade sketches. Then there are questions for the seekers. If they are still standing there. If they haven’t completely given up on this stuff. Gay or straight? (Wait, well, he loves them, but doesn’t want them to actually BE gay, capiche? No? Never mind.), and then a laundry list of other things. Pro-life or Pro-choice? (Nothing in between. God forbid we try for some common ground on that one.) Republican or Democrat? Butter or Sour Cream? If you choose the “wrong” one, you are told to change. That you aren’t being “traditional”, or adhering to “classic Christian orthodoxy”, or “fundamental institutions” or OMG, "conservative." Because, um, yeah, Jesus talked about THAT stuff all the time. (All these are quotes from peeps I’ve digitally discussed these very things with.) All that stuff sounds like exactly what Jesus came to punt. “God-breathed.” Guess what? He’s still breathing. And, sometimes I wonder if he thinks the air "in here" is getting a bit stuffy. Share: Del.icio.us \| Digg \| Reddit \| Stumbleupon \| Permalink Comments Sun, 04/19/2009 - 8:18am Anonymous (not verified) Stuffy? The air in too many Stuffy? The air in too many churches is downright suffocating? So thanks Teresa for your prophetic voice. And don't let all those peeps who think THEY know what traditional, 'classic Christian orthodoxy', 'fundamental institutions', or conservative mean, get you down. Jesus rebuffed traditions right and left. He was more concerned with how people lived than any manmade set of 'orthodox' beliefs. His fundamentals were nothing more love God and neighbor. And as far as conservative goes -- well, Jesus was more liberal than . . . YOU! So hang in there girl, and keep up the good work. Login or register to post comments Sun, 04/19/2009 - 1:50pm Teresa Roberts Logan Thanks, Anonymous! I don't mind Anonymous comments, btw! I appreciate your comments so much. I think it's crazy how people like to box Jesus in, and seem to miss how he is the Word made flesh - and how often he points to the rule-makers as the bad guys, frankly! Jesus was a radical. Why do so many churches and leaders want us to forget that? Teresa Roberts Logan www.LaughingRedhead.com Login or register to post comments All contents copyright © 2008, Digital Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Advertise with us! HOME \| ABOUT US \| CONTACT US \| PRIVACY POLICY \| TERMS OF USE \| RSS \| RULES OF CONDUCT