After you have deconstructed, Christmas becomes an interesting season doesn’t it? Our view of God has expanded, our faith has expanded.

In this beautiful, very special holiday episode, we share three stories - one from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple; one from Sandra Cisneros; and a unique retelling of the Biblical story for us outliers, the rest of us.

I hope these unwrap the way we see and celebrate this Christmas and holiday season. 

It is about reconstructing Christmas in the midst of a deconstructing faith.

Celebrating for the rest of us. 

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Have you been uninvited to a holiday or family gathering?  Yeah, us too.

And honestly, is that kind of event the last place you would want to be because of things that are said or just because of how you are made to feel? 

We are right in the middle of the holiday season, and all the family issues and triggers that can bring.

So, let’s talk about how to navigate difficult family situations, and also about options for when you can’t, or don’t want to go home for the holidays. 

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This time of year, and being around family so much can be full of triggers and difficult situations. Especially with all the division and anger out there.

So, how do we deal with infuriating family fanatics? 

When we are afraid, angry, and even hurt, how do we love people we don’t even like that much? What does that mean, and what does it not mean?

A very helpful episode as we go into this holiday season.  

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Today, we talk about all the things you hear from anti-LGBTQ Christians, and we ask if those are real thoughts and questions, real concerns, or are they just repeating what they have been programmed to say??
 
We have some fun discussing if they are real people or are they just bots??   ;-)
 
And, most importantly, we talk about how to respond, especially when they just so happen to be family members. 

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How we define family changes. Relationships change. So, our expectations of family should change.
 
We get triggered, we get hurt, especially at this time of year.
 
Beloved, you deserve to find your people. You deserve to love and be loved as you are for who you are.
 
As Richard Bach said, "The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life."
 
Let’s talk about family, chosen family, and realistic family expectations. 

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We get a lot of emails from beloved souls who have been absolutely terrified by their church and Christian friends.

Cause, you know, that’s so Christlike. (sigh)

They are told that they’re not enough, that their parents are right, their pastors are right, and they’re just awful if they can’t change their fundamental core. That they are doomed.

No Beloved, you’re NOT doomed!
 
Today we talk about two kinds of Christianity and faith. They are very different, and WE get to decide which we want to be part of.

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The church will call people a heretic for years before they finally recognize them as a saint.
 
If we need the church’s approval, to be validated, to be seen, a lot of the world will sit unrecognized.

People whom God sees as perfect and loves unconditionally will often be sitting in the dark in tears, waiting for approval.
 
You don’t need to wait for approval! Why? Because, you’ve already got approval!

As you are, for who you are. Because Beloved, THAT is what you deserve. 

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You know that debating people who are committed to misunderstanding you can be toxic.

We fall down the rabbit hole and it usually does not go well – especially for our hearts and peace. You deserve better!

Let me be clear: YOU are not the one who need to defend ANYTHING. And at times it’s best to just speak the truth, share a resource, and sashay away in all your fabulousness! 

Today, we share a very intimate, personal, powerful email we received – and we talk about NOT wasting your time defending yourself! 

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Have you ever been told you’re cherry-picking scripture? This is when you don’t buy someone else’s interpretation of the bible, they tell you you’re cherry-picking. We’ve been told this many times, and I’m pretty sure you have been too.

It’s when we won’t lay down our verses and replace them with their verses—the ones they’ve cherry-picked and thrown at us!

It’s when we don’t buy into the church’s interpretation-du-jour, because it doesn’t sit well with us, even if don’t know why. So basically, if you don’t agree, then you’re cherry-picking.

It’s a cute little phrase, huh? They say it like it’s a bad thing.

Let’s talk all about cherry-picking. Uh yes, yum… I love cherries!

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We hear it all the time, we know you do too: “Jesus said to go and sin no more!” Well, honestly beloved, enough is enough!

Remember that Bible story: “Jesus Scatters Self-Righteous Men in the Name of Mercy and Justice!” No? Hmmm… How about this one: “The Woman Caught in Adultery.” Yeah, that’s more familiar. It’s the same story, but a completely different interpretation.
 
The commonly taught interpretation misses the main point, which is that these men in authority have manipulated and exploited and abused this woman!
 
Jesus is not calling out the woman—he’s calling out the religious leaders! He doesn’t fall for their tricks—I love that! And he lets the woman go—I LOVE that!

Today, we deconstruct and disarm “go and sin no more” once and for all!

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