Susanne Maynes

Honoring God's Image-Bearers

Why Christians can’t afford to get this wrong

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It’s been my great delight to launch into seminary studies at Regent University this year. My final New Testament class assignment from Dr. Carrie Wood this last week was a reflection on how my studies have impacted my spiritual formation.

I’ve been challenged in a couple of specific areas, one of which I’ll share here. While the context is pro-life ministry, what I’m about to tell you is critical for ALL of us who follow and represent Jesus.

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Image by Ben Kerckx from Pixabay

Why I don’t do random acts of kindness (and what I do instead)

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The man sat cross-legged on the sidewalk next to the gas station, a small backpack by his side. He evidently hadn’t had access to a shower in a while. A woman with three boys walked past him. “If you’re looking for the restrooms,” said the man, pointing, “they’re over there.” The woman thanked him and hurried off, nervous about interacting with a homeless stranger. As she and her kids walked back toward their car, she heard a familiar, still, small voice. “I want you to go talk to that man.” For a moment, she balked, but quickly realized arguing with God is never a great Continue Reading

5 Christian clichés we could probably live without

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“Sarah” was confused. She hadn’t been in church circles very long, so when someone started talking about “pouring into” someone else, she couldn’t quite wrap her brain around what that meant. Sarah is far from alone. Many unchurched people, or new believers, find themselves having to learn a whole new set of terms once they start hanging out with Christians. Yup, we have our own subculture, including special lingo some refer to as “Christianese.” I define Christianese as terminology which Christians invent and repeat rather than as terms right out of the Bible. Terms like Continue Reading

Why certainty about your theology isn’t always a good thing

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At first, it seemed like a bad case of the flu, but then his joints became painfully inflamed. The culprit was rheumatoid arthritis. People from church came over and prayed for him. He went to a big tent revival-style healing meeting and got prayer there, too. As time went on and my father was not healed of arthritis, the folks at church began to wonder what sin he must have committed to deserve such punishment. At that point, my mother remarked, “Our friends are like Job’s comforters!” God has given human beings the gift of a brilliant mind. He has also revealed a great deal Continue Reading