One of my friends recently pointed me toward a review of Act Normal. It has one of my favorite observations. The author, Kristy Burmeister, was brutally honest, even when it meant she looked like shit….
Browsing Category Pacifism
Why Did I Write a Memoir?
Before I get into this, I want to congratulate Tanya Marlow. Her new book, Those Who Wait: Finding God in Disappointment, Doubt and Delay, launched today. So I bet you can guess what I’ll be reading…
The Pacifist’s Guide to Inflicting Pain
Oh, Kristy, you crazy Jezebel. Pacifists don’t inflict pain. How can you inflict pain when you’re standing still, allowing people to punch you in the face? I believe that Christians are called to pacifism….
Faith in the Eye of a Shitstorm
When I was ten, my parents took me to an Anabaptist museum called Menno-Hof. My family had visited a Mennonite church several times and Mom and Dad wanted to learn more about these Anabaptist types…
Denominational Analysis Paralysis
I wasn’t born into Christianity. At least, I wasn’t born into any particular form of Christianity. My family didn’t go to church when I was little. When I was 10, sometimes we’d pop into the…
The Bravest Statement
Credit: Mike Bitzenhofer I’ve known some pretty brave people. In my early 20s, I used to have conversations with a Holocaust survivor if that tells you something about my braveometer. Yet, the bravest thing I’ve…
Hi there, I’m the enemy Jesus told you about.
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… – Matthew 5:44 (ESV) The most humbling thing about Matthew 5:44 is knowing that some people see me as their…
Where Do We Go From Here?
Eight months ago I made a commitment to pray every day for peace. And I’ve technically upheld that commitment. Though I have included unspoken modifiers in that prayer. God, please bring peace and reconciliation (just…
That Time Mennonites Taught Me How to Fight Back
The other girls and I sat on the floor and watched the attack. He grabbed her from behind and pinned her arms to her sides. She extended one leg behind him and pushed backwards against…