Church Issues
Hagee apologizes for anti-Catholic remarks
Breaking news: Pastor apologizes for anti-Catholic remarks By JIM KUHNHENN – 1 hour ago WASHINGTON (AP) — John Hagee, an influential televangelist who endorsed John McCain, is apologizing to Catholics for referring to the Roman Catholic Church as "the great whore" and calling it "the apostate church." Hagee's support for...May 13, 2008 - 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
John Hagee on Pope Benedict
I somehow missed this - but better late than never. Given Pastor Hagee's history of anti-Catholic rhetoric, this is pretty astonishing! Thank you, Pope Benedict April 28, 2008 By Pastor John Hagee - During his recent visit to the United States, Pope Benedict XVI not only conducted mass and met...May 12, 2008 - 7:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Worshipping God in truth, love and beauty
Frederica Mathewes-Greene is Orthodox and has so much wisdom and common sense I consider it a privilege to subscribe to her email list. Today she wrote: "A year or so ago I was invited to speak at a conference on Apologetics, as related to Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Peter...May 8, 2008 - 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Let's hear what the Pope has to say to us
I hope that all American Christians will look beyond their denominational differences and listen to the message Pope Benedict will deliver to the United States during his visit. His moral authority is unparalleled - in addition to the fact that he is an extremely gifted, intelligent and articulate voice,...April 15, 2008 - 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Adoption giveaway - three prizes
These are just small tokens, but I'd like to pass them on to acknowledge families who've responded to God's call for us to take care of orphans. These cuddly bunnies - named Shaoey in honor of Steven Curtis Chapman's first adopted daughter Shaohannah - were produced by Gund to...April 12, 2008 - 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack
Why Does America Have Orphans If It Has Christian Churches?
Anthony Bradley, a professor at Covenant Seminary, wrote the following challenge last year, and the title is so good, I just used it instead of making up my own: Why Does America Have Orphans If It Has Christian Churches? America has nearly 115,000 orphaned kids in foster care waiting...April 12, 2008 - 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Americans switching faiths, dropping out
This news came out last week. Kinda late to be posting, but in case you missed it: Survey: Americans switching faiths, dropping out Story highlights: *U.S. about to lose its status as a majority Protestant nation *Non-denominational churches are gaining members *25 percent of adults leave faith of their upbringing...March 5, 2008 - 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Evangelical to Catholic: my journey #14 - the larger trend toward spiritual tradition
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...December 22, 2007 - 5:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
My life - quick and random thoughts
Is anyone out there reading? Just wondering if you are as busy as I've been. A lot is going on with my kids and they come first. But I'm always thinking, "Oh, I'd like to blog about this.. . " Last night Jonny had a party with a bunch of...December 22, 2007 - 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Evangelical to Catholic: my journey #8
[Note: this is part of a continuing series chronicling my journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism. This series is not meant to cause division, but to reveal division already there - and to spark honest discussion. As an evangelical I've heard and continue to hear lots of criticism of the Catholic...December 1, 2007 - 3:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack
Who are the real spiritual heroes?
One of the blessings of Thanksgiving is that it spurs the local news outlets to look for good news. Another story of a faithful pair of parents who took on more than most: Four Years Later: Twins found like caged animals now thriving November is National Adoption Awareness Month. And...November 24, 2007 - 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack
Quiverfull article at Crosswalk today
My article is up at Crosswalk today: Why some Evangelicals are throwing out birth control I only had 1500 words, but was able to provide a link to the insights and personal experiences which led many of you to shift your paradigm from the prevailing cultural view of children as...October 26, 2007 - 6:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Starting a church group for parents of kids with disabilities - reader needs your input
Hi Barbara, I had emailed you a month ago, or so, about our daughter Tullie who has Down Syndrome. We go to a large church in Seattle. It's also a very young church, the average age of an attender being 25ish. Tullie was the first child (that we know of)...October 23, 2007 - 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Domestic abuse in Christian homes
I received permission to publish this letter because the writer felt - as I do - that open discussion about the real problems faced by Christian families can only lead to better health within the Body of Christ: Dear Barbara, I am a new reader of your blog and am...July 27, 2007 - 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Disabilities and the church
Hi Barbara, I have been a Mommy Life reader for several months now and I really appreciate the quality of content and the Christian viewpoint on all topics. I am a Mom to 3 boys. My oldest son Ezekiel has DS, he’s 9. My second Noah just turned 8 and...July 23, 2007 - 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
In Memory of Ruth Bell Graham
Ruth Graham’s life was filled with family, friends, and ministry. She died to this life on June 14. The Graham family has assembled a photo album, accompanied by one of her favorite hymns, that - in their words - represents only a small portion of the people and places...July 8, 2007 - 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Tripp on Christian leadership
My dear hubby sent this as a comment: Having been through these trials with you....seeing firsthand different styles of leadership, I have this humble observation: During Our Lord's last 24 hours at the Last Supper - which He knew were His last, so He spoke of and demonstrated what He...May 4, 2007 - 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Doug Phillips - Take 5
I received an email from Jennie Chancey about the fact that I had published her first email. I would like to print that email here as it is very sweet in tone and is the best representation of how she feels, but I feel constrained as it was marked personal....May 4, 2007 - 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Doug Phillips reconciliation breakdown
For those following the Doug Phillips controversy, Jen Epstein has reposted her story - which she had taken down in a sincere effort to work on reconciliation with Doug Phillips following her "excommunicaton" (remind me again why Protestants left the Catholic Church - was it abuse of power?). Apparently the...March 15, 2007 - 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack
Contraception: where the slippery slope began
In a post at No room for Contraception, Always Room for Love, Ruben Obregon makes the same point I make in Reaching the Left from the Right; Talking about Social Issues with People Who Don't Think Like You: The Role of Contraception in Increasing Abortion It’s a common assumption that...January 19, 2007 - 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack
The Nativity Story controversy
I was hoping to bypass the controversy, but the following comment on my strong recommendation of The Nativity Story (you really need to take your family to see it!) opened the door: I have to ask...what do you think of the fact that they are using a 16 y/o girl...December 22, 2006 - 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (20) | TrackBack
A meeting of the Catholic and Evangelical minds
For two months, Regina Doman and I have been trying to get together. She had emailed me in September to introduce herself and we kept setting up dates to meet but you know how it is with mothers - things come up and time for friends becomes short. Last night...November 3, 2006 - 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Christian landscaper boycotts gay clients
I was very sorry to see this news: Christian landscaper won't soil hands with work for 'gay' clients. While some Christians may think this is a courageous position, it reminds me of the Pharisees reacting angrily to Jesus spending time with tax collectors and prostitutes. If we refuse to do...October 23, 2006 - 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack
The church and inclusion
Tripp just went to pick up Jonny from the Boy Scout Campout. This was really a big deal because this is a Boy Scout troop of homeschooled kids and although in public schools it goes without saying that kids with disabilities are included whenever and whenever and however possible, the...October 22, 2006 - 4:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
In a land of plenty, less is more
[an article I wrote for our church newsletter last month] In a land of plenty, less is more Long ago, when I was a latchkey kid, my mother would leave a couple dollars and a grocery list for after school. I’d walk a few blocks down New Hampshire Avenue to...October 11, 2006 - 7:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack
Beyond the Gates of Splendor
In 1956, Americans first heard the news via the Los Angeles Times headline: "Savages kill five missionaries." Life magazine immediately dispatched a world-class photojournalist to the outpost where the widows and families had gathered. This, plus the later writings of one of those gifted widows - Elisabeth Elliot - would...October 4, 2006 - 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
When you doubt your church
Jennifer wrote this as a comment, but I thought I’d move it up where everyone would be sure to read it. I'd love to hear your comments too. Hi Barbara, I've been reading your blog for months now and have never commented. But thank you!! Your posts are often thought-provoking,...August 24, 2006 - 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Christian materialism and greed - Take 2
Sarah wrote this as a comment, but I think it raises some important questions: Barbara, Thank you for writing about Christian materialism & greed. We moved to a small town about three years ago and started attending a church that we finally figured out was preaching the "prosperity" message....August 22, 2006 - 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hypothetical Question - Take 2
Paige, I'm sorry! I didn't know where you were coming from (Hypothetical Question of the Day) - you so often ask the hard questions (in fact, I know there's one I promised to blog about but I want to spend some time on it, so I've been postponing - but...August 1, 2006 - 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBack
Christian materialism and greed
My latest article in Plain Truth magazine: (PDF format here) Spiritual Survival in the Land of Plenty: Materialism, greed, and the gospel On our first trip to New York City last summer, my husband Tripp and I ducked into one of the 167 Starbucks within five miles of our hotel...July 25, 2006 - 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack
Ending the week with humor
This Paul Aldrich video is simply hysterical - especially for Gilbert & Sullivan fans. The tune is based on "A Modern Major General" from Pirates of Penzance. The Modern Church Historical...June 23, 2006 - 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Why I am Pro-Life
This is a follow-up to the Mohler piece I posted yesterday - and the comments some of you made there. I want to tell the story of my evolving thoughts on birth control and children. As anyone who's been around here for a while knows, I come from a very...May 27, 2006 - 8:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (47) | TrackBack
Randy Alcorn on Grace and Truth
A Lesbian Responds to Grace & Truth by Randy Alcorn Some churches today embrace truth, but need a heavy dose of grace. Other churches talk about grace, but cry out for a heavy dose of truth. I invited an outspoken lesbian activist, who was also a prominent abortion activist, to...April 29, 2006 - 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Integrating the Sacred and the Secular
Actual Unretouched Photo was the second blog I ever read, and the first that touched my heart. Over the past 14 months I've gotten to know Mel a little bit and it is amazing how much we think alike, though our backgrounds are very different and we live on opposite...March 2, 2006 - 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
How to treat homosexuals?
The following article was published in The Plain Truth last year. The article within the article "NIMBY - Now In My Back Yard" was published in World magazine 8/21/99. Rethinking My Views About Homosexuality>by Barbara Curtis Oscar was the first gay man I knew well. It was 1973 and I’d...January 31, 2006 - 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBack
Randy Alcorn on End of the Spear
I love Randy Alcorn - he is a man who truly sacrificed everything for his beliefs. I met him at Mount Hermon several years ago when he was keynote speaker. He is a humble and kind and gracious man. So I am truly blessed that he has invested personally in...January 31, 2006 - 1:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
End of the Spear - Take Two
I posted the other day about The End of the Spear controversy over the casting of a gay actor in the lead role of Nate and Steve Saint. Though I wrote asking Jason Janz to reconsider his position, I received no answer from him. Not surprising as his bashing...January 30, 2006 - 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBack
Nilda on authentic Chrisitianity
Nilda left such a passionate and thought-provoking comment yesterday, that - as happened once before - I asked permission to publish it as an entry so all my readers would be sure to read it. It was on Sharing the Good News: Thanks for sharing your testimony Barbara. I'm ashamed...December 23, 2005 - 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Churches closed on Christmas
Just wondering what you all have decided about church on Sunday. I understand that some churches are closed because it's Christmas - which seems ironic. I don't think it should be a legalistic thing - Lord knows, we have had home church many Sundays ourselves. There may be some families...December 21, 2005 - 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Why Go to Church?
Here's C. S. Lewis on the subject: "When I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own, by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and I wouldn't go to the churches and Gospel Halls;... I disliked very much their...December 12, 2005 - 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Ten Great Reasons to Have Another Child
It's been four months since I ran this, but in honor of Rachel's good news and to bolster her confidence as she faces those who don't understand why anyone in the world might want to have more than two children, I am running it again. Enjoy! Reprinted with permission from...October 28, 2005 - 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
So you wanna be a theologian. . .
Apropos of The foolish things, which I wrote last week - about my gratitude for not being a theologian - I came across someone who might agree: "Jesus wasn't a theologian; He was the God who told stories." -- Madeleine L'Engle Actually, from his brush-ups with theologians, I'd say Jesus...May 24, 2005 - 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
The foolish things
Just as Hebrew men used to wake and give thanks to God that they were not born women, I wake each day and give thanks I'm not a theologian. Maybe that sounds odd coming from someone whose BA is in philosophy. I used to love to debate and argue and...May 19, 2005 - 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Where the Wild Things Are
A few years ago, in his Breakpoint column Chuck Colson blasted Maurice Sendak's 1964 classic Where the Wild Things Are as emblematic of the "unfettered rebellion" which eventually gave rise to the counterculture. Pretty heavy, huh? (Sometimes it's just a little too easy to see why people have...March 31, 2005 - 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The slipperiest slope of all
Slippery slopes? Here's my experience: Back in the early 70's -- as a radical feminist and plaintiff in a Virginia abortion class action suit -- I enjoyed five minutes of fame. The media loved the story: new mother brightens her horizons by going back to college, worries that...March 30, 2005 - 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack
Terri's in God's hands now, as are we all
Mel asked what I think about Terri Schiavo. I really have not wanted to write about this because it is too sad. When I see the film of Terri's mother cradling her head and Terri's eyes lighting up and the corners of her mouth lifting, it reminds me...March 28, 2005 - 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Guerrilla Parenting #3
In 1989, Rick and Jan Hess wrote A Full Quiver: Family Planning and the Lordship of Christ (check out the reviews - but if you want to buy a copy, I have them for for $10 plus shipping - email me). In a chapter called "Guess Who's Not Coming to...March 3, 2005 - 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Homeschoolers -- a chance to say thanks!
We went to Blue Ridge Bible Church today. Mike and Vickie Farris were sitting with their family right behind us. Yes, I live about seven miles from Patrick Henry College in the homeschool capitol of the world. And yes, after years of homeschooling, when we moved here from California...February 20, 2005 - 9:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Walking the walk #2
Apropos of yesterday's post about women in church -- and I guess the 1/30 one on Kelly Hollowell -- here's a little more on where I'm coming from: "A man's life is always more forceful than his speech." ...February 10, 2005 - 4:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In quietness and confidence
I don't know about the issue of women in church leadership. For a former radical feminist who became a follower of Christ at 38 and then had to sort out my role as wife and mother through a new prism, it seems odd to encounter women searching for...February 9, 2005 - 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack
