Why I Went Back to Church

Susan Isaacs August 31st, 2010

I’ve heard my share of “leaving church” stories; and not from immature, fair-weather Christians but from long-term, mature believers – many who had been in leadership. They grew disillusioned by schisms and scandals, they got tired of what felt like a formulaic service, they didn’t feel fed, they didn’t feel needed. So they left – not God, but church. And they’re not alone. Anne Rice is just the latest statistic. As George Barna said in his book, Revolution, people are “leavin … (Read More)

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Death Be Not Proud - Susan Isaacs on SBE

Erik Guzman July 30th, 2010

Writer, actor and funny lady Susan Isaacs is our guest this week on Steve Brown Etc. She joined us from the mountaintop in Colorado, but she's emotionally in the valley. Don't miss this thoughtful discussion about death, suffering and a good God who's in control of the whole mess.

(If you're on the front page of the site, click "Read More" to see audio player options.)

Susan Isaacs is the author of Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Mem … (Read More)

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For Honey: Death Be Not Proud

Susan Isaacs July 26th, 2010

"It is a fearful thing to love what death can touch." – Chaim Stern

This is a eulogy to a pet. If you are not inclined to maudlin pet tributes nor have room in your theology for pets in heaven, then save me the embarrassment and yourself the frustration, and give this piece a skip.

My dearest cat died on Sunday. Honey was 13 years old. I'd held out hope she would be one of those cats that made it to 18. But even if she had, it wouldn't have been enough time. Not fo … (Read More)

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Compassion

Susan Isaacs May 20th, 2010

For many years I thought about sponsoring a child. My sister and her husband had sponsored several Compassion kids over the years, and so had other married friends. I saw their photos on their fridges: smiling in their native clothes, holding up the shoes they bought with the birthday money their sponsors had sent. What a great thing to do, I told myself. Once I had a stable income, a husband and kids to share the experience with. At least, I needed my own fridge on which to tape the photos.

B … (Read More)

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Why We Call This Friday GOOD

Susan Isaacs April 15th, 2010

I grew up in the Lutheran church. Easter Sunday was wonderful, but by the time we got to church, Jesus was already alive, up and at 'em. Our church did have a Maundy Thursday and Good Friday service. But when I was in high school: the holiest thing was to attend a Calvary Chapel Easter Sunrise Service. They played Keith Green, Chuck Smith preached for like five hours, and my butt froze flat on a football stadium bench. I mostly remember going to Denny’s afterward for hot eggs and a warm … (Read More)

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Anger, Ashes & Compassion

Susan Isaacs March 9th, 2010

One March afternoon in my first year of college, I stopped at the school's theater box office to buy tickets to some nihilistic bucket-o-blood experimental theater production. I had to see it for class credit. I noticed the woman behind the glass had a black smear on her forehead. Maybe she had to do scene painting for class credit? So I kindly informed her of the schmutz.

"It's Ash Wednesday," she glared.

"Oh, yes of course!" I apologized. I may have added that I w … (Read More)

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