Archives For Christianity

The Other Half of The Story

smgianotti@me.com  —  August 25, 2015

For some reason, when people talk about God, they often start with sin. But, that’s not where anyone’s story begins—not that weekend you got wasted, or when your coworker had an affair, or even when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. 

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Photo courtesy of Kay Ter Harr via flickr.com

 

Our story began in a garden with two humans and a God who set them loose in a brand new world. God commissioned Adam and Eve to represent him in the world—not as curators of as museum, but as mini-rulers and sub-creators. God wanted humans to develop and unfold his world in a way that would further infuse it with his creativity and care. The garden of Eden was just the starting point. From there, humanity would extend God’s order and beauty into the world Continue Reading…

In Christianity, Story , , , , ,
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5 Things Single People Need from the Church

smgianotti@me.com  —  August 18, 2015

I wrote this article for Kindred Spirit’s Summer 2015 issue “Singles and the Church.” Kindred Spirit is the magazine of Dallas Theological Seminary.


*       *       *      *      *   

1. See us.

 

  • If you’re a speaker, talk about marriage, but also about the possibility of celibacy and prolonged singleness. Revere all options—like the apostle Paul did. 
  • Broaden views of male and female roles beyond breadwinning and childrearing.  

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Image courtesy of Hoola Talullah via flickr.com

 

2. Validate us.

 

  • Celebrate how God is using us by admiring our contributions at work or how we met that single parent for lunch.
  • Convince us of our significance—help us understand how we can use our schedules, our relationships, and our aloneness to bless the church and fulfill the missio Dei Continue Reading…
In Christianity, Singleness ,
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7 Ways to Worship God through Your Work

smgianotti@me.com  —  August 11, 2015

Some days, the trudge from nine to five feels like trekking through a spiritual no-man’s land. Maybe I should resign, I think, and move to Nepal and pass out copies of the Gospel of John. Then my work could count for the Kingdom. 

 

When I find myself thinking this way, I imagine the Apostle Paul. He’d probably say, “Wait a minute. I said, ‘Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ (1 Cor. 10:31).” 

 

NCESTM3SB0Photo courtesy of Startup Stock Photos via stocksnap.io

 

Whether we pump gas in Toronto, teach at the University of Illinois, or run an orphanage in Sudan, our work can worship God. But, how? 

 

We worship God at work when we DEPEND on him for Continue Reading…

In Christianity, Finding God at Work, Work , , ,
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How Should We Love Broken People–with Grace or Truth?

smgianotti@me.com  —  August 4, 2015

I tear the envelope open and unfold the jury summons. Grumble. The secretary double books my 11:00 appointment. Complain. I feel lonely on a Friday night. Grumble. Complain. Grumble.

 

Hi, my name is Shannon, and I’m a complainer. 

 

Nearly ten years ago, I signed myself into rehab with the Holy Spirit. Since then, I’ve made good progress, but still have frequent relapses. No, let me call it straight. I still sin. I rob God of worship when I complain and refuse to acknowledge his goodness. 

 

2241989981 bb800c8b2a bPhoto courtesy of bored-now via flickr.com

 

I find it strange that hardly anyone comments on my complaining, let alone reminds me that it’s a sin. Well, except my mom, and only rarely. Usually, my friends and family (mom included) listen and empathize.


Maybe they’ve forgotten that complaining is a sin. Or, maybe they’ve chosen to extend grace and believe that God works in broken people, too Continue Reading…

In A Better World, Christianity, How Should We Now Live , , , , ,
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7 Ways to Love People Better

smgianotti@me.com  —  July 14, 2015

“Any dates lately?” I ask. 

 

The sunshine skitters across the waves. A biker speeds past us. 

 

“A couple,” she says. “Nothing serious, though.”

 

“Guys or girls?”  

 

I wait for her answer. Uncertainty swirls around me. What if she says girls?

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Photo courtesy of Daniel Santalla via stocksnap.io

 

I’ve talked with my friend about her same-sex attraction before—at the local bakery between bites of cherry pie, over steaming bowls of tikka masala. Some months, she fights against her feelings Continue Reading…

In Christianity, Friendship, How Should We Now Live , , ,
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Share the Good Life, But Maybe Not the Infomercial

smgianotti@me.com  —  July 7, 2015

A 23-year-old Sunday school teacher converts to Islam after hours online with Faisal, a Bangeldashi man living in England. He tells her, “I know someone who will marry you but hes not good looking, 45 bald but nice muslim,” and Alex plans to fly to Austria to meet her future husband. 

 

What makes a church girl in rural Washington willing to gamble everything on the advice of a man she’s only ever met on Skype? According to an article in The New York Times, Alex longed for community and a more robust faith, and Faisal spent hours answering her questions. This approach, according to an expert, matches the advice given in an Al Qaeda recruiting manual: “Listen to his conversation carefully…share his joys and sadness.”  

 

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Photo courtesy of Brandon Doran via flickr.com

 

I can’t believe I’m saying this; but, maybe we can learn something from Al Qaeda.

 

Listening deeply, entering into a person’s joys and sadness, investing hours and months—this almost sounds like love. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always how we introduce people to Jesus Continue Reading…

In Christianity, Embodiment, How Should We Now Live , , , ,
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Finding God in the Beautiful

smgianotti@me.com  —  July 2, 2015

I squinted through the glass, studying the columns of ruffles, the blue sash, and the hint of puffed sleeves. My friend and I talked about the dress for weeks. But, I’m a pastor’s kid, which means I suffer from a love-hate relationship with shopping. 

 

If a shrink had me on her couch, she’d probably dip up memories of my mom dragging me to the back of every store, past the full-price clothes that glimmered and whispered my name. Even at the age of ten, I knew I had a better chance getting my gerbil to paint the Mona Lisa than of owning that dress.

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Photo courtesy of Christian Holzinger via unsplash.com

 

Several weeks later, my friend showed me her new Christmas outfit. As the gold taffeta swooshed around her legs, envy crawled up mine. I tried to smother images of the hand-me-downs I’d be wearing on Christmas Eve. 

 

But, just then, grace happened Continue Reading…

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Can America and Christianity Still Be Friends?

smgianotti@me.com  —  June 26, 2015

Ever since the Mayflower put down anchor, Christianity has enjoyed a place of privilege and respect in our country—a sort of friends-with-benefits relationship to government. But, for a lot of people, the spark is gone. They’re ready to cut ties and move on.

 

Like any break-up, the aftermath is ugly. Both sides feel demonized and both sides feel hurt. A loss of intimacy is never easy; but, as mainstream culture dumps Evangelical Christianity I’ve been wondering—will Christians respond with grace?

 

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Photo courtesy of Sharon via flickr.com

 

The moral landscape in America has changed and we Christians need to reconsider our message—not the core truths about Jesus, but how we package them. Many of our neighbors and coworkers no longer believe in absolute truth, let alone the Bible’s authority to determine their identity and behavior. Like the Apostle Paul, we need to tailor our message to each audience. Otherwise, we might fail to make contact Continue Reading…

In Christianity, How Should We Now Live
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Get A Refund on Your Membership to The Guilt Club

smgianotti@me.com  —  June 23, 2015

The cop scribbled on his pad. “I don’t want to ruin your weekend,” he said. “So, I’ll run your card and let you off with a warning.” 

 

“Yes, sir,” I said, ducking my head. “Thank you, sir.” My head bobbed again.

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Photo courtesy of Areta Ekarafi via flickr.com

 

It’s been years since I’ve bowed to anyone, but suddenly I was back in South Korea squeezing my way through the teetering shelves of the neighborhood grocery store and turning around at the door. I’d press my hands together, duck my head toward the owner, and say “Annyeonghi gaseyo” before heading out.

 

I’d forgotten all about bowing until this cop and his pen almost scribbled two-hundred dollars out of my bank account. Suddenly, the habit came back in full force.  


Habits scuttle through lives our like mice—they scurry out when we least expect and the little buggers are hard to kill Continue Reading…

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Can God Use Me?

smgianotti@me.com  —  June 9, 2015

I weaved in an out of traffic listening to my friend. Every Tuesday we hit a local coffee shop and try to make a dent in our writing aspirations. I changed lanes and focused back on what she was saying. During the last week she had run into two strangers that needed help—a homeless lady who she took to lunch and a young woman who was locked out of her car.

 

“I usually don’t interact with strangers so much,” my friend said, “but I really felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to help them.” 

 

I listened to my friend with mixed emotions. I knew I should be glad that God was working through her, but insecurity cluttered my heart. Her success felt like my failure.

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Photo courtesy of Luke Pamer via unsplash.com

 

Unlike my friend, I am not an extrovert. I dislike socially awkward situations and talking to strangers. Hearing how Jesus worked through my friend made me feel like a failure. After all, when was the last time I took a homeless woman to lunch? Continue Reading…

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