You know you're a Church of Christ kid if you've been on the wrong end of a disfellowshipping joke. I like to consider myself well versed in the doctrinal heritage of the Church of Christ, but this practice is quite foreign to me. Growing up, I knew only two things about disfellowshipping: it wasn't something you wanted to happen to you, and you ... [Read More…]

I am the poster child for suburbia. I am a white, middle-class college student with two parents, a sister and a dog. The only thing in my favor when it came to filling college quotas was the fact I'm a woman. My life has been smooth sailing to this point. And it hasn't helped me a bit. A life without hardship is a precursor to a life without ... [Read More…]

"Sure!" Translation: "No problem!" Or, "Of course!" "Sure-" Translation: "I'll do it, but I'm not looking forward to it." Or, "Yeah, right, I know that's not what you really mean." "Sure." Translation: "Yes, I'll do it - but I don't want to." Or, "Yes, it's OK, but really I'm angry and upset." Admit it. You're familiar with texting lingo. Almost ... [Read More…]

Stories beginning with, "In my day - " or "When I was just a little twerp - " are always good for a chuckle; but often, I give them the poorer half of my divided attention. When I turned on the TV Sunday afternoon, I choked at the sight of Brett Favre throwing against the Green Bay Packers. In my day, my younger brother threw on his new No. 4 ... [Read More…]

The cities of Europe are littered with cathedrals. They are impressive, imposing, centuries old and most days, close to empty. These stone-carved buildings, with their ornately carved gargoyles and striking stone towers and buttresses, are a monument to Europe's deeply religious history. It is a history filled with inquisitions, reformations, ... [Read More…]

As a rule, I prefer chick flicks to all other movies, with the exception of some historical films. I want happy endings. I don't want to pay $8 to watch reality. All I have to do is look outside, go to class or turn on the news for that. Unsatisfying endings occur every day. When I pay money for an escape, I want happily-ever-afters. But some ... [Read More…]

Every September, when stores begin setting up Halloween aisles and seasonal costume shops start popping up all over town, I get excited. Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. Most people assume it's because it is also my birthday, but there's a lot more to it. I think I love Halloween because of the memories and traditions I associate with it. ... [Read More…]

It's not just me. Arizona and Hawaii act like they've never heard of it. Farmers hate it, and for good reason. If you have ever spent 30 seconds with a cow, you know the glazed-over, my-mind-is-numb-and-I-like-it-that-way look they can give humans when we waste our time speaking to them. Imagine: you have milked your cows at 7 a.m. for the past ... [Read More…]

When I was little, I believed clouds represented those in heaven. After all, they are above us, where we believe Heaven to be, and they are watching over us like they promised - or like we're sure they would have promised if our pets could talk. You may dismiss this idea as the foolish thoughts of a child, but first, think of how many times you've ... [Read More…]

After watching an episode of the cheesy TV show Ghost Adventures with a group of friends last weekend, I drove home late at night to a dark, quiet house. I tiptoed to my room as my housemates slept, and I climbed under the safety of my covers, with scenes from the ghost-hunting show still running through my mind. I'm usually skeptical when it ... [Read More…]