10 Truths for the Atheist Who Said I’m Brainwashed
“You are brainwashed, Love.” #atheist
The blistering comment caught me off-guard. Tweets of Christians publicly mocked by the Twitter account, Brainwashed.
Are Christians brainwashed?
The tweeter’s cover photo, “Religion was invented when the first con man met the first fool.” Atheists attribute the statement to Mark Twain. But, research doesn’t confirm they’re Mark Twain’s words. Whereas, several sources note it as one of the quotes he didn’t say.
Regardless, I wouldn’t argue the meaning as falsehood. Religion, my atheist friend, and Christianity are dissimilar. The first, puts confidence in man and religious rites. Christians hold confidence in One man, Jesus Christ, God incarnate who came to abolish religion. His death and resurrection overcame sin and provided freedom from the bondage of religion.
One definition for brainwashed, “to effect a radical change in the ideas and beliefs of a person.” (dictionary.com.)
Do I desire to be radical for God? Yes. Have my ideas and beliefs changed since coming to Christ? Yes.
So, please call me brainwashed by God. Label me a Jesus freak. You see, it’s a compliment.
My father, an avid atheist for years, was blind to truth until he met The Truth. Jesus Christ.
10 retweets by our atheist friend and God’s truth.
June 23, 2016 at 1:59 pm | Uncategorized
A Father Who Never Leaves
Me and my father
“I love you.” His voice reassured as he tenderly kissed my forehead.
Hopeful imagination of my biological father. A time he was absent in my life. A girl can dream.
My being so young when he left and the passing of time had a way of causing memories to escape. I had forgotten what he was like.
My mother’s hands were full with me and my twin sister. So, she scooped everything up—including us—and moved from Texas to her hometown in Virginia.
Soon we were fortunate to have a wonderful stepfather come into our lives—a man who, along with my mother, cared for and loved us as if we were his own daughters. To this day, I’m grateful for him.
But line seven of my birth certificate held a name.
June 16, 2016 at 9:15 am | Uncategorized
Worst Trips of All Time
By Karen Friday
“Any fun trips or travel planned this year?”
The question scoots around our family gatherings, outings with friends, and the office Keurig. We hope to “o-o-h and a-h-h” our listeners with fascinating details.
Trips. A planned or spontaneous travel schedule. Favorite vacation spots. Places familiar or unknown. Traveling abroad. A voyage by sea. Guided tours. Historical landmarks. The mountains. A natural wonder. The beach. Tropical climates. Soaring altitudes.
Resorts for sight seekers, adventure junkies, and tourists of all shapes and sizes. Crossing out a bucket list item—going somewhere you’ve never visited. Even people are labeled trips.
Whatever the mode of transportation. Whether a one-way-trip or round-trip. Short or extended stay. It’s movement toward a point of destination. A journey for recreation, relaxation, and getaways—a means to escape.
Undesired Trips
Sometimes we go on trips and land somewhere we’d rather not visit. The worst trips ever.
Guilt trips qualify. Guilt trips make us painfully aware of being stuck in an unwanted place. We feel it deep inside. A restless, unsettled state of wishing we were home—back to familiar surroundings. A safe place.
June 9, 2016 at 8:41 am | Uncategorized
Copycat gods Can’t Fix Broken People
I entered the world broken.
Born early, my twin sister and I spent days in a neonatal ward. I went home first and my sister grew strong enough to finally leave the hospital.
Though I barely weighed over three pounds, I wasn’t broken in the natural sense—what you’d observe on the outside or have knowledge of internal medical issues. Yet, an unseen and underlying brokenness existed.
All human flesh is born broken. It escalates each day we live until the cracks and scars become noticeable. It’s not detectable in a newborn baby, but soon makes appearances in a young child:
That’s mine!
I’m not sorry.
No one likes me.
I’m angry she died.
I want to run fast like that boy. I want _____ and _____. (There are many fill in the blanks.)
June 2, 2016 at 8:30 am | Uncategorized
Your Place in the Story! (A Vlog)
Writers Conference Awards Banquet with Mike
“Celebrate your place in the story.” Author Steven James
We each have a place in God’s story. Vocation. Family. Dreams. Ministry. Every area of our lives affirms a chapter He has written for us.
This week I attended a writers conference in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I was honored to receive two Foundations Writing Awards and an award for this blog, Hope Is Among Us, which is now an award-winning blog. To God be the glory for the things He has done.
In a special video blog (Vlog), I share meaningful thoughts I gleaned from my experience. The video will answer the following what, why, and who questions:
- What’s more important than being successful?
- Why we shouldn’t be “normal” as Christians?
- Who will give us success?
Watch video here:
Video Link: https://youtu.be/Jn-4aETVmZc
© 2016 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
May 26, 2016 at 8:28 am | Uncategorized
I’m Being Followed
I contracted an acute case of the heebie-jeebies. I’d been watched and followed.
I spent the summer after my freshmen year in college in ministry at Virginia Beach, Virginia with Campus Crusade for Christ. A mission at the beach—somebody had to do it. A young, crisp nineteen-year-old who wanted to make a difference in the world. Pursuing Christ with my whole heart with a passion to make Him known.
College students from across the U.S. and one from England completed training sessions to prepare us for evangelism. We shared the gospel on the boardwalk several nights a week with Saturdays devoted to ministry on the beach, suffering in sand and surf. Crowd-gathering events of volley-ball and slow-motion football provided opportunities to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ.
Instead of raising mission-trip fees, students secured weekday jobs to accommodate living expenses. Four of us (three girls and one guy) became gainfully employed at a McDonald’s close enough to our housing complex to walk to work. We traveled up the boulevard during the wee hours of the morning before daybreak.
May 19, 2016 at 9:30 am | Uncategorized
The Christian Life in 3D
You’re about to enter the world of 3D.
As with every three-dimensional adventure, you’ll interact with an immersive environment that creates a sensory experience. A lifelike scene. An enhanced encounter.
This is not an illusion, artificial simulation, or virtual reality. But amazing wonders you’ll see, hear, and touch.
3D aspects of width, height, and depth will bring the spiritual realm up close and personal—with God Himself. So put on your 3D glasses and let’s look at the story in chapter 3 of Joshua.
May 12, 2016 at 9:32 am | Uncategorized
1st Mother’s Day as Jesus’ Mother
The moment He took His first breath I became His mother. My life forever altered.
Overjoyed. This is my child. My baby boy.
Swaddled by cloths, though adorned with royal titles.
Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Emmanuel (God with us). The Ancient of Days.
Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead. Power demonstrated years later when He cast out evil spirits and raised the dead.
A newborn placed in my arms. As I gazed intently at Him, the goodness and greatness of God spilled out.
May 5, 2016 at 9:42 am | Uncategorized
Gentle On My Mind
The message is evident. God’s gentle on my mind.
It’s everywhere. In our world. In past history and present day.
Giving thanks falls short when God is forgotten.
God’s people have a history of waning. They remembered. They forgot. They cried out to God. The cycle repeated.
The Lord’s blessings were gentle on their mind. Excitement pacified. Thanking God for His abundant provision went missing when life was going off without a hitch.
How could this be? He had proven His great power. His miracles. Going to endless lengths and heights to show His faithfulness. He rescued and came through for them countless times. His love surpassed anything on earth.
But they soon forgot all of it.
April 28, 2016 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized
News Release: I’m a Publisher!
First published article, 10/2014
I hate to brag, but I’m a publisher for the famous. When people name-drop of who they know or when they praise their own efforts, it’s not attractive. However, I hope you’ll read more and make allowances in my case. Just this once.
This publisher story has a beginning, the ending is still being written. As far as my character in the story, it hasn’t gone to print.
It all started early in 2014. Looking back, I’m not sure how my heart’s voice synced with God’s voice.
A calling to write words with a message of hope. Similar words I’d shared with audiences via public speaking for decades. To share my voice in black and white on paper or an online venue. I had no idea where to begin or how to move forward.
April 21, 2016 at 9:00 am | Uncategorized