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Exposed !

She’s a sexy, assertive, self-assured woman, and she’s perfected the subtle art of attracting men. She knows how to flirt with her eyes, seductively tilt her head, and position her body in a provocative way… Who is this woman? You might be surprised to learn that the description (with a few minor fashion updates) comes from the pages of Isaiah. And it may surprise you even more to learn that her behavior was so reprehensible to God, that he punished her and her like-minded girlfriends.

29Apr2009 | Mary Kassian | 2 comments | Continued
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I Am Woman

“I am strong! I am invincible! I am WOMAN!” I remember striding down the school hallway with a couple of girlfriends, belting out the words of Helen Reddy’s chart-topping song. We were perched on the verge of womanhood. And we were confident that we would be the first generation to get the meaning of womanhood right.

27Apr2009 | Mary Kassian | 2 comments | Continued
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Steel Magnolia

I love the phrase “Steel Magnolia” because to me it speaks to the essence of womanhood. The image melds beauty with perseverance, softness with backbone, delicacy with durability, sweetness with stamina. It reminds me of what the first man exclaimed when he saw the first woman.

7Apr2009 | Mary Kassian | 14 comments | Continued
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Re-imagining God in the Shack

Betty Friedan, the main force behind modern day feminism, predicted that the question of the eighties would be: “Is God HE?” The Christa sculpture was the liberal church’s response to the question. And although Evangelical Christians have been much slower to consider female gendered God imagery, the recent phenomenon of the multi-million best-seller, “The Shack,” indicates that Evangelicals, too, are succumbing to the feminist pressure to image God in feminine ways.

6Apr2009 | Mary Kassian | 34 comments | Continued
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Gab, Blab and Gossip

I once saw an advertisement that enticed people to buy cell phones so they could engage in more “gab, blab, and gossip.” Are you a talker? Do you enjoy gabbing, blabbing, and gossiping? There’s nothing wrong with enjoying good conversation, but the Bible warns that excess speech is often accompanied by sin. “Where words are many, sin is not absent…” (Prov. 10:19, NIV)

5Nov2008 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued
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Cool Down your Hot Head

Control Anger before it Burns you (Part One)
All of us get angry from time to time. The Bible has valuable instruction about how to manage this volatile emotion. This is the first of two articles outlining what the Apostle Paul taught his friends in Ephesus about anger.
“For the anger of man does not [...]

17Aug2008 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued
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Curing Your Ill Will

It’s game time.  The coach is starting his favorite players.  For what seems like the hundredth time this season, your child is warming the bench.  You sit in the stands with the other parents and dutifully clap and cheer - but inside, you harbor the malicious hope that your child’s teammates will play poorly, that [...]

5May2008 | Mary Kassian | 0 comments | Continued
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Tit-for-Tat

Tit-for-Tat is the name of a Laurel and Hardy slapstick comedy released in 1935. In the film, Stan & Ollie open a hardware shop right next to Charlie Hall’s grocery store. A misunderstanding occurs and Hall takes revenge on Stan & Ollie. Stan & Ollie retaliate. The back-and-forth antics start with silly attacks such as [...]

30Apr2008 | Mary Kassian | 2 comments | Continued
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Green with Envy

Your sister has just moved into a beautiful new home and instead of being happy for her, you’ve got a little green-eyed monster putting the squeeze on your heart. Outwardly you’re all smiles and congratulations, but inwardly you resent the fact that she’s getting ahead while you’re spinning your wheels – stuck in a rut.
Envy [...]

28Apr2008 | Mary Kassian | 2 comments | Continued
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The Power of Praise

Last season, TV viewers cast nearly 500 million votes in support of their favorite contestants on American Idol. It’s natural to express praise for that which we enjoy. We promote the music of our favorite artist; discuss the skill of an admired athlete; recommend the food of a good restaurant; or describe the beauty of [...]

1Jan2008 | Mary Kassian | 1 comment | Continued
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On Eagles Wings

From time to time, Brent and I spot Eagle’s nests while hiking. Watching these mighty birds swoop and soar and care for their young is a fascinating pastime. Eagles build their nests in crags high up on mountains. When their young reach a certain age, the parents stir the nest, and throw the little ones [...]

1Jan2008 | Mary Kassian | 4 comments | Continued