Save Blue Like Jazz

Susan Isaacs October 4th, 2010

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I can point to several authors who influenced my Christian faith: CS Lewis, NT Wright, Henri Nouwen and Walter Wangerin Jr., to name a few. There are fewer authors that influenced me as a writer. But I can only think of two authors who influenced me as a writer of faith: Anne Lamott and Donald Miller. Specifically their books Traveling Mercies and Blue Like Jazz.

By 2004, my spiritual and professional life had hit the skids. The only job I could get was working at a c … (Read More)

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Why I Went Back to Church

Susan Isaacs August 31st, 2010

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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 Barn … (Read More)

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Death Be Not Proud – Susan Isaacs on SBE

Erik Guzman July 30th, 2010

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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 b … (Read More)

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For Honey: Death Be Not Proud

Susan Isaacs July 26th, 2010

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"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 hav … (Read More)

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Compassion

Susan Isaacs May 20th, 2010

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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 wh … (Read More)

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Why We Call This Friday GOOD

Susan Isaacs April 15th, 2010

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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 afte … (Read More)

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