GOD HELPS THOSE WHO (CAN’T) HELP THEMSELVES:  (from badasschristians.com) I’m not a subscriber to the phrase “God helps those who help themselves.” I’m also not a big fan of the church’s “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” mentality. This post is a reminder that neither phrase is found in the Bible.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ANXIETY?: (from realfaith.blog) I wrote this blog when I was overcome with fear about something small and silly. It’s a simple list of encouraging Bible verses, but it has probably received the most traffic this year.

COMMON SENSE FOR CHRISTIANS: (from  realfaith.blog) This sort of sums up everything on this blog all year.

GOD’S CHISEL: (from teensite.net) This isn’t original content, but it is by far the most inspirational video I’ve seen on the web this year.

MISSING THE POINT: (from Jesus1st.Net) This little semi-poetic piece looks at the gap that often exists between the teachings of Jesus and the issues modern Christianity is most concerned about.

IF JESUS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE: (from real.faith blog) Same as above, only a little more direct.

MENTAL HEALTH: THE CHURCH’S DIRTY LITTLE DEMON: (from badasschristians.com) Pearce, a guest blogger, shared her testimony about how the church she grew up in mishandled and misread her problems. Her testimony should make all Christians stop and think twice about how they feel about issues of mental health and psychology.

GOD IS NOT SHOCKED: (from real.faith blog) Do we really believe God is sovereign? Than why are we always so offended and outraged?

10 CHRISTIAN PHRASES THAT NEED TO BE EXCOMMUNICATED: (from real.faith blog) I received so much flack for this one. This was supposed to be a humorous post, but a bunch of my “brethren” took it too seriously. Some were upset because some of the phrases I picked as overused are actually found in the Bible (this doesn’t mean they can’t be over-used to the point where they lose their meaning, but that is just my not-so-humble opinion.) Others didn’t like that I used the word “excommunicated.” Some lightly chided me for not picking their most annoying Christianese phrase. Based on the feedback, I’ll probably have to write something like this again. Stay tuned.