These days, you can read every reaction from vengeful glee to heartbreak concerning Mark Driscoll, the pastor of Seattle mega-church Mars Hill who is being asked to step down amidst a swirl of accusations. Find out more here: Nine Current Mars Hill Pastors Tell Mark Driscoll To Step Down from All Ministry I’ve visited Mars Hill a couple of times, read a number of Driscoll’s books, and listened to some podcasts. I believe Mark has accomplished much for the sake of the gospel, yet it’s tragic that his leadership has evidently created an abusive environment. My purpose here is neither to Continue Reading
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This Small Part of You is Crazy Powerful
The late afternoon sky filled with billowing smoke as the spreading grass fire gobbled its way across the canyon wall, blackening the hillside. Watching from across the valley, I thought of the warning in James chapter 3 about our words. “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness … staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell … no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Wow, that seems harsh. Are we really that out of control Continue Reading
About Me
Welcome! If you’re looking for fresh thoughts on church & culture and spiritual growth from a Bible nerd, you’re in the right place. I started this blog in June of 2013 to talk about how God's Word applies to life. (You can also find my posts at substack.com/@susannemaynes.) As a charismatic Christian who believes the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, I'm especially interested in prophetic ministry and female leadership in the church. One of my favorite theological topics is the imago Dei. Given today’s confusion about personal identity, Christians must proclaim this core Continue Reading
How Knowing Your Weakness Strengthens You
There’s an old tale about a boy whose mother was looking for him. Willy, where are you? she calls. In the pantry, comes the muffled reply. What are you doing in there? she asks. Willy answers, Fighting temptation. Every sin begins with temptation. The more we can avoid temptation, the more sin we can steer clear of. You may consider yourself immune to obvious wrong-doing like robbing a bank, or cheating on your spouse, or selling drugs – yet you can still be dangerously oblivious to your weaknesses. It's the subtle temptations that can sneak up and blindside you. The enemy knows Continue Reading