anonymous

Dear Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

You left this comment today on one of my blog posts from a few weeks ago.

This explains a lot. You spend your days listening to bitter “Christian” feminists and politics. You are what you eat. It comes out in your writing and countenance. Turn off the bitter feminists, close the computer, take a long fast from political talk shows and open you bible and read. Just take the word and read. You will be a lot less bitter and a lot more joyful. You will put less trust in people and how they walk out their faith. If you spend all of your time watching and commentating on how everyone else is walking it out all wrong then you will miss a wonder relationship with redeeming God who guess what – loves those people too. Could you also have compassion on the people who irritate you the most? Could you pray for them instead of blast them on social media everyday? Take the word and read. Make your daily diet his daily bread.

First, thank you for your feedback and for taking the time to comment. And, as I said in my reply, several things you write make me think I know you in real life, and I wish you would email me so we can have a real conversation about the points in your comment. But, in case you don’t feel comfortable doing that, I wanted to address what you said here, because I’m sure you aren’t the only one who feels this way about some of my writing.

I don’t want to get too defensive here, but you seem to think you know a whole lot about my life and how I spend my days, and how I should be spending them instead. Since I have 3 small children (1 who requires infinitely more care than the average seven year old) and two part-time jobs, please know that I really don’t spend my entire day consuming political opinions. My little people are really needy, and surprisingly, don’t want to listen to bitter feminists with me (Charlotte insists on early 90s pop in the car, and who says no to Ace of Base?).

But, to be fair, when I have free moments, I do listen to podcasts, read the news, and check Twitter. And it really frustrates me when people say the answer to is to not be involved or informed about politics, or as you put it, take a long fast from political talk shows and open your Bible and read. No. Of course, as a Christian, reading my Bible should be a priority to me, and you are right, I need to open it more. But Jesus calls me to so much more than that. There is so much at stake in our country right now, so many lives at stake.

Not involving yourself in politics (especially at this point in history) is a sign of PRIVILEGE, not virtue. If you are not paying attention right now, it’s probably because regardless of what happens with this administration, you won’t really be affected. If you aren’t poor, gay, Muslim, transgender, an immigrant, disabled, or of another race other than white, you are more privileged than you realize. Those of us who are or have a child that fits into one of these categories, really can’t afford to shut off the news and bury our faces in the Bible all the time. And if I am going to be a light in the world, and love my neighbor as myself, I want to know who all my neighbors are, what their needs are, and how I can stand up for justice for them.

I don’t know how to respond to your use of the word “Christian” in quotation marks- obviously, there are women who you don’t consider to be real Christians. All I can say to that is you are missing out on some really smart, brave, beautiful Christ-followers who challenge me daily. And there is room at the table for lots of ideas, lifestyles, and interpretation of scripture in the Body of Christ. I won’t be boxed in anymore to thinking that that table isn’t open to all.

As for your accusation that I’m bitter: Yeah, you are partly right on that one. I’m bitter that the Church that raised me has turned its back on everything I took from it as sacred, all for political gain. I’m bitter that a political party is more concerned about protecting the rights of a 6 week old fetus than ensuring my 7 year old child gets the medical care he needs to survive. And I’m bitter that 81% of the people who claim the same beliefs as me voted for and continue to support a man who brags about sexual assault, threatens nuclear war on Twitter, and bullies other Americans to the point where I won’t expose my children to him. Yes, I’m bitter that I need to hide the President of the United States from my kids.

But here’s the thing, Anonymous. You say I need to be more joyful. For who? For myself, so I can just go on living a comfortable life, while some of my friends and neighbors literally can’t sleep at night because they are so worried about their families’ futures? Or for those of you who are uncomfortable, or tired of me being angry? Is that who I need to be more joyful for? I’ve already been ghosted by a few friends who I guess can’t handle it. And I suppose that’s ok, although it really hurts. And I think we really need to become more comfortable with women being angry. It’s socially acceptable for men to be angry (even in the church) but it is not acceptable for a woman. Too often, we are made to feel like we should just shut up, put on a smile, and go into church pretending like we have the perfect, blessed little life. I’m tired of the facade and I’m tired of being made to feel like my righteous anger is a character flaw.

And as for having compassion for those who irritate me the most. I am trying. I really am. I’ve written extensively about making space for other points of views, following people online of all different political and religious stances, and practicing empathy with those with those of whom I disagree. I make it a point to have respectful but hard in-person conversations with people I disagree with. I don’t always get it right, but I am trying. And as for “blasting them on social media every day”, I hope you do email me to clarify what you mean. I try really hard not to personally insult people on social media, and most of what I post is pictures of my kids (because they are super cute).

I’m sorry if this came off too ranty. And thank you again for commenting- my favorite part about blogging is the dialogue and conversations it starts. But come on, if you are going to shame someone in the comment section, at least have the guts to use your real name.

49 Comments

  1. Anonymous on November 25, 2017 at 3:47 am

    The social gospel is not the gospel. Spending more time making people comfortable in this life does not help them for eternity. It sure feels good and compassionate to be all about that and to really build up a reputation on this earth as the one is “for people” but they are still lost. The gospel is the power – give them the glass of cold water and healthcare help sure- but give them the gospel too. If a blind man is headed for a cliff and you run along side him and cheer “I am for you. I see your struggle here is some water” and then you cheer him on his walk without ever telling him he’s headed for a cliff into eternity – that is not love. He is about to perish eternally and your primary goal is to make sure his journey on his way there is more comfortable. Your goal should be to show him the truth. To show him the cliff. To take him by the hand and help him turn away- and absolutely give him and hug and some water while you do but goodness show him the actual real soul transforming gospel. Spend your life doing that for these lost souls rather than ranting about social injustices all the time. Personal evangelism will always change a culture much more than coming at it from law and politics. We need heart changes. Change from the inside out comes from the gospel.

    https://youtu.be/tOh0Ts1xDmM

    • Kyla on November 25, 2017 at 6:48 am

      I think your analogy is flawed. Many humans are in a situation where they are hanging off a cliff with their families on their backs and they need someone to care enough to stoop down and save them from serious harm in this life. They don’t just need a glass of water. If we take the time to save them, physically, they can have a chance to hear the truth and to see Jesus in us and desire Him. You can’t talk philosophy or spirituality with someone whose life is in shambles or is consumed by primal fear for survival or other basic human needs and expect it to get through. Social injustices are life and death for many.

      The body of Christ is greatly varied and there is room for differences. A foot and an eye likely do not have the same opinions on what a properly functioning body part should do and be, but it doesn’t make one of them wrong. Sometimes we see the world differently, but it doesn’t mean one of us doesn’t belong to the body.

      • Elizabeth on November 25, 2017 at 7:27 pm

        And yet, again, you are telling me what to do and what I should believe without having the courtesy to use your real identity. It doesn’t work that way, and your method of shoving your brand of Christianity on people with real, tangible hurts and fears doesn’t work either. Also, what she said ^.

    • Kathy on November 26, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      These attitudes are what’s wrong with evangelical Christianity today. Jesus was able to teach truth, show love, and be angry about injustice….all at the same time and we can too. Your anonymous comments do not reflect well on you.

  2. noemi on November 25, 2017 at 8:51 am

    Thank you for this. Thank you for all your pieces, like this one, that tackle the difficult, but important work of reconciling today’s reality with where we’ve come from and what we were taught. You are doing the incredibly hard work that so many refused to do, because they are too scared, or too uncertain to do it. Thank you for showing us not THE way, but a way, through all of this insanity. I am so, so thankful for you and the sharing of your journey. So, so thankful. You are teaching me so much.

    • Elizabeth on November 25, 2017 at 7:27 pm

      Love you, friend. And am so thankful for you too.

  3. Kat2285 on November 25, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    I agree with the anonymous post. I’ve watched your writings for a long time and I think we all need to take a serious look at who and what our influences are and what kind of fruit they bear in our lives. This is not a paint by number approach. Anonymous was stating they think in your particular case the fruit of spending your free time there has caused bitterness and anger and lack of graciousness towards people who are followers of Christ. In your case backing away for a bit to recenter yourself
    With Christ is what is needed while someone else could probably stand to become more aware
    Of others around them.

    The thing is christ is the center. Not his followers. You have expressed a great deal of hurt from his followers. The OP i think is trying to help you see that your eyes have spent a lot of time on the wrong emphasis and the fruit smell rotten. Sure keep
    Pushing your causes but makes me wonder if you didn’t have a platform watching you would it be nearly as fun and rewarding or is this all stemming from the endorphins of pressing “publish” each day and developing your own echo chamber of #slowclappers and hash tag whatever else is in vogue for be moment. Just a thought. Wisdom and discernment is needed here.

    • Kyla on November 25, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Elizabeth is far from being in an echo chamber. She gets pushback every time she writes something. If her writing upsets you, you don’t have to keep reading. Maybe some re-centering would be appropriate for you as well.

      How is her speaking truth to injustices somehow worse than your personal judgment of her? Why is it okay for you to tell her what you think she is doing wrong, but not okay for her to speak to brokenness in the body of Christ? Why isn’t the answer to the judgment you feel to quietly read your Bible until it passes? Who decides who has the right to speak and what criticism is valid? We either have the freedom to speak the truth (hopefully, in love) or we do not.

      • Elizabeth on November 25, 2017 at 7:36 pm

        Thank you for your feedback, and for not using an anonymous profile. And thanks for reading so long- but please don’t keep reading if you feel this way. And yes, I like the interaction and feedback I get from writing on a public platform (and blogging is really fun for me), but I am far from creating an echo chamber- in fact, as I said in this post, I work hard not to get caught in echo chambers. Just because I have strong, unwavering opinions and critiques doesn’t mean I’m not listening to the other side. Most people who disagree with me message me privately or have in-person conversations.

        • PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 1:26 pm

          “but please don’t keep reading if you feel this way”…. “most people who disagree with me message me privately or have in-person conversations”….

          Good morning. After some sleep, I returned to capture more, to see what I missed, to glean more knowledge because as my original response below indicates I got a LOT out of this exchange, particularly finding wisdom, for my own life, in what anonymous wrote.

          When i read through the posts yesterday, I liked some things from other posters including your friends. I noticed now, I didn’t like THIS post. I’m sure it had much to do with the two quotes, your words (out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks), I list above.

          Consider your message. When I do, it indicates an inability to handle critique on a public forum. It appears you appreciate only private messages that are different than your own. You do not welcome, anonymous or not, feedback that doesn’t suporrt your view- because you have asked the follower to no longer read your stuff. It’s interesting in a new light of day to read over. As mentioned below, this WHOLE thing may perhaps be a WAKEUP call for me, NOT you. I was able to get the message loud and clear. I have a lot of growing (& growing up) to do. I have a lot of humbling-myself-to-do. I’m excited that there are people brave enough, Anonymous or not, to post, not opposition, but a different perspective. It would be beneficial for all to step back from taking it as a personal attack (on ourselves or ‘our’ beloved friend Elizabeth- I don’t know anyone here but am speaking on the whole of most of the posters here) and see it as an opportunity to become wiser. Asking someone to leave or no longer read your posts if they feel at all different from your opinion is, in my opinion, not gracious, not mature, not willing to “see other sides”. Perhaps a welcoming of the feedback in a “thank you for your reply” WITHOUT the “but…” would fulfil graciousness, maturity, wisdom. But who am I? Rather than denigrate myself as a ‘nobody’, I’m moved to say instead: I’ll tell you!!!! I am a daughter of the MOST HIGH!!!!!

    • Elizabeth on November 30, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Listen, I asked her (and Anonymous) to stop reading if they feel like my “fruit” is rotten. They are admonishing me to stop consuming media that won’t produce good fruit, so I’m just telling them to take their own advice if they think my writing is so rotten. 🤷🏼‍♀️

  4. Kat2285 on November 25, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    That’s great that you are able to have some in person conversations. Real change can happen in those real relationships. I think what OP was meaning (from what I can tell) is that they sensed a critical spirit in you that likely stemmed from the things you are taking in. As a believer when we begin to have a critical spirit about Anyone we all need to take a hard look at the root and do some self evaluation and some personal holiness work. We can all find faults in others and in our upbringing all day long and it sounds like you have a lot of beef with yours and with people who have been close to you. However when the majority of what we are putting out there is complaints about others (especially
    Other brothers and sisters in Christ) it’s a pretty decent check engine light that we need to investigate. Having a critical spirit or being overcome with bitterness means that we need to do some digging (in our own personal relationship with God in the actual bible) and we need to repent of it and ask God to
    Replace it with thanksgiving and appreciation. Then we can use our tongues to
    To build up, encourage, and praise what we see. We are known by our love – not just of love of people in this world who we don’t actually know but who we see needs tangible help but love of our absolute closest neighbors – our families, other saints, people who have hurt us (even people of faith) it’s way harder to be someone who loves and lives out a fruitful life to real actual people than it is to promote causes and bash political and religious leaders on social media from a distance.

    That’s great that you have found an outlet. I pray for you all the time because I can sense your anger and bitterness in your writing and I fear the influence you have on others as you very publically walk this road.

    Considering the place you are in I think that if you spend more time in the word and in prayer fleshing those feelings out with God and pulling the plank out of your own eye then your humility (rather than prideful Rants) will have a much more profound effect on your followers and be people you mobilize and encourage will be pretty spectacular.

    • PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 1:35 pm

      I really appreciate your post. I liked it last night and reread it again today. I really liked the “check engine light” analogy and further appreciated that you didn’t run away because of the “don’t keep reading if you feel this way” bit. I value your input as it has given me more clarity and I HOPE- wisdom. It was a great reminder, “we are known by our love”….. what is love? We all know or have read- it is kind, patient,never rude, not self-seeking…always trusts, never fails.. (1Cor13). Thank you for the love you displayed by not multiplying kisses, but rather speaking truth in love with biblical principled feedback. It was received, if by no one else, by ME!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!

  5. Jillian on November 25, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    Dear friend,

    I am so proud of you for being you.

    Being a progressive Christian is difficult in a world of traditionally Christianity where sin is something only other people do.

    People assume that you (or me, for that matter) don’t spend enough time in the Word. But I know you. I’ve spent lots of time in the Wors WITH you. This is not stimming from a lack of faith or something wrong with your faith. Sweet friend, this is a burden the Lord has laid on our hearts.

    Sometimes the best thing we can say is “thank you for your feedback” and nothing more. We shouldn’t preach to the choir nor should we argue with those whose hearts are too hardened to experience the blessed burden we carry.

    Keep strong, sweet friend. And forgive them. They know not what they do.

    Loving you always!

  6. Lizzie12 on November 25, 2017 at 9:57 pm

    Being proud to be a part of a movement (progressive Christianity) that totes a false gospel is nothing to brag about.

    We need a lot less people gazing more Christ. The one that wrote the Bible.

    http://christianmomthoughts.com/progressive-christianity-is-as-much-of-a-threat-to-your-kids-faith-as-atheism/

    • Jillian on November 25, 2017 at 10:28 pm

      Thank you for your feedback.

    • PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      A SINCERE Thank you for your feedback is in order!! Thank you!!!! Did anyone else read the article???? I JUST did & it was GREAT -not because it bashes a view but sheds light on something so important- God tells us to ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO ANSWER for why we have the hope we have but do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). I particularly found this true and interesting:

      “In other words, Christians are largely unprepared to make the case for what they believe and many in the church still deny the need to be prepared in the first place.”.

      I hope others here who maybe didn’t like your post would still be BRAVE enough to check the link out and perhaps it would help them to dig a little deeper in their own personal walk and public walk with the author and perfector of our/their faith.

      Very good article. Again, THANK YOU, GENUINELY, for your post/feedback.

  7. Carol on November 26, 2017 at 2:19 am

    Stopping by to tell you I think you are rad and keep up the great, thoughtful, and always aware writing that you do.

  8. Mrs T on November 26, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    Just read the bible, they say, as though even religious scholars haven’t disagreed for centuries about its meaning. I see you humbly asking questions and answering the call of the needy and that seems entirely consistent with the New Testament I know.

    • Anonymous on November 26, 2017 at 7:24 pm

      No. That would be an over simplification of what I said and a gross exaggeration of what she is actually doing. She is promoting progressive Christianity which is a false gospel. Rather than spending time looking at her own sin in light of Christ she blasts others who “aren’t doing it right” and all of her followers Join in on the stoning as well and calling it “righteous anger.” First off righteous anger would not begin with selfishness. It begins with Christ. And if we want to talk about being righteous start with your potty mouth. Most of what she writes is just another feminist bitter rant or a bunch of complaints about her kids. She writes as someone who has a whole lot of self pity and a whole lot of anger towards anyone who does not agree with her. And Since she admitted spends her free time listening to others with those exact same qualities (bitter feminists) my advice to her was to turn that non sense off and open her bible because that is where she will learn and grow.

      • Kyla on November 26, 2017 at 8:24 pm

        You are on dangerous ground, deciding who does and does not belong to Christ based on who falls in line with your personal beliefs or preferred behaviors. Christians should avoid setting themselves up in the place where only Christ should be.

        • PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 2:11 pm

          I’m not going to unlike this post but i believe I liked it initially because part of what Elizabeth wrote resonated within me. I don’t believe Anonymous has attempted to set herself up as Christ. Her burden (to coin a phrase from another poster) was to speak the truth. We all can infer her tone but we don’t know. She is defending what she posted with backup and maybe because she didn’t back down, there’s a lot of pushback on her. I read the assumptions being displayed from “hearts are too hardened” and the like. Perhaps we ALL are on dangerous ground and should really investigate the TRUTH. What is true? I think we all believe the bible is. And as it says, and has been done here, albeit not always with the exact scripture reference (guilty as charged), it is ALL useful for teaching, REBUKING, correcting and training in righteousness so that the (wo)man of God can be fully equipped for every good work.”

          “No discipline (scolding/rebuking) seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
          ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭

          I’d encourage EVERYONE to look at proverbs and other verses on DISCIPLINE. A lot of great stuff if one can be humble enough to allow God’s word to do its intent- be the double-edged sword discerning……..

          And maybe THINK before one posts. Why do I disagree/agree? Who/what am i defending? Am I assuming much? Should I ask rather than accuse? Do I want to be right or righteous? Is my response seasoned with salt or malice? Am I representing my friend or Christ? Should I take captive my thoughts and make them obedient to Christ or should I unleash my feelings without control?

      • Kathy on November 26, 2017 at 9:02 pm

        Serious question: Why do you read her writing? It seems to make you very angry and self-righteous. You are sounding very bitter and angry. Perhaps you should monitor your own heart and media input before you suggest the same for others.

        • PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 2:20 pm

          I thought this was a great question!!!! After reading everything over again and examining my own heart, it became clear that many of us have been making assumptions.I see how easy it is to infer Anon as very bitter and angry BUT WHAT IF SHE IS NOT? What if her only purpose was to give sound advice? Is it not wise to consider what you’re feeding yourself has an influence? Also, consider there is a real enemy out there who WANTS US TO BE DISTRACTED,he is always roaming back and forth and WAITING for an opportune time…. I, too, like Elizabeth, who i don’t know, get caught up in the whirlwind of social media. It gets me riled up sometimes!!! Like really- and all i want to do is rant about it. Because!!! Gyah!!!!!! If you take away the assumption of bitter and angry and if you take away that the direction is given to someone you admire, you might find the true meaning and intent. I want to say keep asking questions!!!! And I did cath that you said it seems like…. 👀🤗😉

  9. Janice McRandal on November 26, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    After years of teaching in theological colleges, preparing ordinands for ministry, and pastoring congregations, I’ve learnt that few things prevent the development of discipleship as consistently as the ‘just read the bible/ spend time in the word’ tropes. Such insistence reduces the bible to a tool for our self-repression, and is often a sign of deep inability to deal with our own emotional wounds. Just reading the bible doesn’t at all account for how the Christian Church has received God’s revelation: Christ the word is in and through all. The leap of faith is trusting your relationship with Christ to journey through all of life and all your doubts and angers, especially away from the pages of the bible. Bless you, Elizabeth. You seem like a wonderful Christian witness to me.

  10. Anonymous on November 26, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    Do you know how the FBI is trained to spot counterfeit money?

    By studying the real thing all the time. False teaching is everywhere and the reason it is so dangerous is not because it is completely off. It’s dangerous because it’s pretty close but dangerously false. This is what i am taking about. Christians and all people spend all day taking in messages from everywhere. If we aren’t in the word – studying- pouring over- meditating on it much like the FBI studied the real deal. We can easily take in false messages as true just because of the frequency of hearing them. This goes for ALL. It is clear by the fruit (which i am actually suppose to look at) that she is spending a lot of time with false teachers- how do i know that? Because i spend my time in the word. It’s super easy to see. No one said she wasn’t a Christian. What i said was an admonition to get into the word. The fruit will be evident in her countenance and in her writing. Joy comes from the Lord not from circumstances. We all need godly older women speaking into our lives as well. From the looks of it she has written them off and has turned to peers who are just as foolish. Walk with the wise – become wise but a companion of fools suffers harm.

    We are suppose to be discerning about what we take in. That was the reason for my original post. She put out there for all the world to see what it is she mediates on in her free time- and i simply stated that the fruit is evident. That time would be better spent somewhere else.

    • Kathy on November 26, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      I suppose “fruit” may be in the eye of the beholder. I’m an older woman (59) with a Seminary degree and much time spent in the Word. I find Elizabeth’s writing to be truthful, real, challenging, exhorting, edifying and much more. In fact, I’m not sure what you are reading of hers that brings you to the critical and judgmental place in which you find yourself but you might consider turning your media choices to something more to your taste. 700 Club Or Fox News maybe.

    • Kay on November 26, 2017 at 11:30 pm

      IF you truly read all of Elizabeth’s writings & took time to digest it ALL (I’m still baffled by all this talk of “blasting”), you would recall that one of the things she mentioned once was one of the “highlights of her week” was attending a Women’s Bible Study. AND as one of the “older women” *cringe* there (I’m the Coordinator of the whole program), I truly take offense at your ANONYMOUS comments. Do I agree with every word that Elizabeth writes…or every idea she shares? Absolutely not! But I still love her. She & I have a WONDERFUL relationship, and even more important, GREAT discussions (face to face) about much of this. Elizabeth has been very transparent- and vulnerable – about where she is and what she is STRUGGLING with. Last time I checked, struggling & searching isn’t a sin. How do you know she doesn’t read her Bible? Who made you the Judge of everyone? I’ll say again, I am doing what I think JESUS would do…I’m going keep loving & walking alongside Elizabeth…as one of those older Titus women (see how I threw that in there? She actually goes to a study each week where we study the BIBLE – I know that shocks you!).

      • Kathy on November 26, 2017 at 11:35 pm

        Amen sister!!!!

      • Anonymous on November 26, 2017 at 11:50 pm

        Okay so if we are going to “throw around” references to Titus let us look at what that passage actually says. There are actual qualifiers to being a Titus 2 woman. Age is in fact not the only qualifier… let’s look together shall we…

        “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
        ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:3-5

        Older woman are to be what?

        Reverent in their behavior
        Not slaves to much wine

        And what is it exactly they are t teach?

        To love their husbands and children
        To be self controlled
        Pure
        Working at home
        Kind
        Submissive to their own husbands

        Is that what you “Titus 2” women are doing? Or is it more that you are friends with her and promoting her along as she is loose with the texts and slanders other believers, and speaks sarcastically crude about her children ON THE INTERNET and cusses like a sailor? Are these the virtues you are rooting on?

        I understand you don’t agree with everything she says- no one does. But she has spent some time working on building herself we own little platform where she does all of these things in the name of JESUS. No mention of the gospel ever- no mention of her own sin. If she mentions her own failures it comes with an excuse. Meanwhile she blasts Other believers publically who are not walking it out like she is. She pushes a social gospel rather the the actual gospel and i don’t blame her because the people she folllws- jen hatmaker, rachel held Evans etc all do the same thing. It’s hard to smell your own stink. The political talk shows are just junk. Literally every things she writes always goes back to politics or religious people she is mad at. That is what you call fruit. Fruit is what we are actually told to judge things by. To judge someone wrongly would be to judge their standing before God (which i have not down) what i am doing is reading the fruit i see before me… that i al actually suppose t discern!

        Sure i could just never read her stuff again and likely won’t. But here is the deal. She has put herself in the spotlight and worked hard to build a following and therefore she will he held with more responsibility for what she is saying. If she is not in the word this is a dangerous place to be. My goal was to
        Encourage her to use this platform for something other than angry bitter rants. Sure she has normal posts sprinkled in but at time she gets riled up she has s loose with the t Cut, loose with the tongue, bitter, sarcastic and just throws stones at all sorts of people…. this is the kind of girl who could use an actual Titus 2 woman (one who is qualified and teaches what it says to) she is doing this whole thing quite publically. These conversations are great to have. Questions are great to ask… but who are you taking down with you in the process of this train wreck.

        • PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 2:28 pm

          I needed this. Thank you. Especially the Titus verse. I know I need to reach out to those older than me and seek after what God suggests, not the World. In that way, the fruit of my life will be obvious- and dare i say it (based on the bible) is not a matter of being in the eye of the beholder but very blatantly put thte Word (Jesus) makes it very clear-
          “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

          Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
          ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:19-23, 25-26‬ ‭

  11. Anonymous on November 26, 2017 at 11:59 pm

    Also bible studies generally involve cracking a bible open and walking through verse by verse to determine what God was saying.

    However, Attending a book club for Jen Hatmaker’s latest book “for the Love” is actually not at all a bible study. She (Jen) doesn’t even use the Bible in her books. It’s just some funny words, bitter sarcasm and quirky musings mashed together woth some liberal theology thrown together in a book (while also bashing those that “do it wrong”)

    So using “Elizabeth attends bible study and I am the director” is playing pretty loose with words too.

    • Kathy on November 27, 2017 at 12:26 am

      Okay, well now Ms Anon, you’ve given yourself away. You do know Elizabeth and are aware of book groups she attends (even though it was a few years ago). This will be my last comment to you as I try not to engage with people who exhibit a closed mind. Please read your last two “rants”. The misspellings and grammar errors indicate a person who is angrily out of control. Your attitudes and judgments are offensive and, as a sister in Christ, I’m asking you to take a step back. Non-Christians may be reading and you reflect poorly on our merciful Savior. You will be in my prayers but no longer part of my conversation.

      • Anonymous on November 27, 2017 at 12:51 am

        I do not know her. I have never had a conversation with her. I can read plenty about since she puts it all out there every day.

        Any typos are either autocorrects or attempt at typing without glasses on. (See I am of age as well). I assure you I am far from angry. I am not alone in my perspective. (As seen above) and in countless others who are afraid to put themselves out there in disagreement with her because of the way she and her people bully anyone with an opposing view. You see she doesn’t bully in the comments section directly to the person- oh no she takes it and slaps it across the Internet in post form (hoping) it will go viral and her people will continue the stoning in her behalf.

        If you are concerned about people reading this then I assume you are also concerned about her foul mouth on line in the name of Jesus?
        Or the way she speaks about her kids? Or the slander she publically does on the regular?

  12. Elizabeth on November 27, 2017 at 1:22 am

    You keep talking about my “foul mouth” which I assume you are referring to curse words- correct? In over 650 posts and 7 years writing this blog, I have used less than 10 curse words. And I believe it writing, those words can be used really efffectively for emphasis if used strategically and sparingly. I’m sorry if that offends you. And could you please tell me how I bash my kids online? I’m truly baffled by that accusation. Am I honest about the hard parts of parenting? Yes. But I honestly don’t think I’ve ever crossed the line about them. As for “putting it out there online”- yeah, right now I’m blogging for 30 days straight. It’s just a challenge I do in Nov. But please don’t think you know everything about my life based on the snapshot you see on my posts.

    You say you don’t know me, but obviously you know people I know- correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think I ever wrote about doing the For The Love book club on here. I would honestly like to have an actual conversation with you to discuss these things. I promise- I’m not as angry, bitter, or attention-seeking as you think 😉

    • Anonymous on November 27, 2017 at 1:44 am

      I actually had no idea you did the For the love book club. I just know that your church (which i am familiar with) offered that as a “bible study” 😂. I mostly assumed that since you are a J Hatmaker fan you probably went. I guess I assume that one right.

      As far as your kids- I suppose if you want to call it “being honest” that’s a way to do it. I just feel for them since the Internet is forever and this stuff will never go away. The whole world can read about the things they do to annoy you (all without their consent) and all in the name of good fun and for laughs and for others to feel understood because they also are driven crazy by their kids.

      The foul mouth, yes cuss words, are you referring to 10 total words ever or do you mean 10 kinda of words? Because your posts have had way more than 10 words total (who is counting anyway) butbthe dact that they are even there was what I was referring to.

      You are a good writer. I can see how you would say a cuss word aptly placed would add to the message but as an ambassador of Christ I bet you can get more creative than that. It muddies the message.

      I don’t think i know all about you. I have only read what you put out there and that was my reason for commenting. It’s just an observation over a long period of time. I scratched my head often wondering how you got to this point and then I ran across the blog where you posted what you enjoy listening to and it all came together. That was it- my only reason for posting.

      In my journey I have found myself many times in a place where I need to do some weeding out of things I was taking in. Things that pulled my mind to constantly stew on things that were not pure, lovely, excellent or praiseworthy. When it got to the point where walked around bitter and ready to fire off on a rant about something all day I realized I needed to take an inventory of my thoughts.

      There are truly wonderful ways to make changes in this world. People respond well to encouragement. Turning on groups of people and throwing stones is not usually a very effective way to get that group on board wkth your plan.

      A poster above alliddd to me watching Fox News or 700 club. I assume that was an attempt at a dig? I don’t actually watch television at all so that was lost on me. I guess the assumption is that if I am not agreeing with your posts I must be a Fox News watcher or I must be a conservative. Well to set the record straight I am neither. I am a Christ follower. I do not follow men.

      I hope you find your way back to a loving Christ following biblical community. I will be praying for you to.

      • Kyla on November 27, 2017 at 2:08 am

        I cannot understand your rage at Elizabeth or your continual assumptions about her character and behavior. If she has said something that you have taken personally, then maybe that feeling is actually conviction and you should sit with that for a while. You really seem to be relishing putting other people in the place you believe they belong, even as you tell Elizabeth she has no business being critical of certain behaviors within the church. I don’t know how you are missing that these things cut both ways. If you want the best for Elizabeth, then praying for her would be a better use of your energies than Internet battles over who is more righteous. It’s all filthy rags to Christ.

      • Anonymous on November 27, 2017 at 2:29 am

        I don’t see anyone battling over who is more righteous. Perhaps you are reading in to something because of your own presuppositions. I am simply a long time reader who is actually reading what she puts out there. Perhaps it lands differently to those of you who are in the same “movement”
        Or echo chamber as she is in but it reads exactly as I stated above.
        And when she put out there where she spends her free time it clicked. I simply encouraged her to consider the media she consumes (which she put out there and also encouraged others to also take in). I am not making any assumptions about her standing before Christ (never have- never will) and I am not assigning her character or virtue. I am simply smelling the aroma of the fruit- which we are all called to do in order to be discerning.

        Elizabeth obviously has a lot of passion and compassion and those are qualities the Lord gave her to be used for His own glory. How she uses that determines who is glorified. We are known by our fruit and by our love and that means especially to those who we disagree with or take issue with… since it’s the hardest to love those we actually know and those we don’t agree with.

        I have not taken anything she writes personally. I have Zero convictions in any of her writings other than to pray for her (which I have for years actually). This is the first time i felt moved to say something. Not out of hurt, anger or any other emotion. Truly just raw fact. She posted what she listens to and I had an “ah ha” moment. It suddenly clicked why she comes across the way she does. I do not disagree with everything she writes. I do not align with any political party (no toes stepped on here as she bashes conservatives) I simply take issue with the delivery. And take issue is a strong word- I don’t much care for the flavor-tone- self righteous- I am the only one who questions the Status quo type attitude.

        Interestingly your comment that “ all is filthy rags to Christ” is the closest resmemblance to the gospel i have ever seen on here 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Assuming you mean that it’s nothing we do it’s only by his grace we are saved.

  13. Jillian on November 27, 2017 at 2:28 am

    Ghandi said “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

    Call me condemned, but I have a sneaky suspicion he was speaking of the Anonymous of the world much more than the Elizabeths.

    It simply baffles me that someone in Christ can be so callous, judgmental and rude. I’d rather read the word FUCK a million times over than another comment from Anonymous.

    • Anonymous on November 27, 2017 at 2:33 am

      Hi Jullian. It’s hard for you to
      Show love to those you disagree with huh? Love your enemies? This was the love Christ said we would be known for. It kind seems like (from your display of self control there) that you would consider me An enemy? This is the time where your love would make it clear if you are a Christ follower.

      ✌️

      • Jillian on November 27, 2017 at 2:49 am

        1) It’s Jillian. Clearly names are an issue for you. I’d show more respect if you used your own. I suspect you feel shameful of your behavior. If you truly believed your way was the Christ-like way, you would have handled this whole situation differently- including some ownership for your words by claiming them with a name.
        2) Enemy? Nah. Admittedly, people like you make me ashamed to be a Christian; guilty by association. I feel sorry for you. You seem so bitter and void of empathy. That must be a tough life to live.
        3) Here’s the difference between you and me: I am flawed and I know it. I’m so blessed to have a Savior who loves me just the way I am! And He loves everyone else the way they are too (even you!) You seem to think that only those who do things your way are worthy of love and a Savior. Again, that’s a mighty tough way to live.
        4) I am laughing my ASS off that someone who has to have the last word is judging me on self-control. ✌🏻

  14. Mrs T on November 27, 2017 at 3:00 am

    My comment may have been over-simplification but so is “she’s preaching a false gospel.” No one has a definitive answer, despite your confidence; we all do our best to understand the Word and live accordingly.

  15. Klines on November 28, 2017 at 12:19 am

    What a kind and gracious post addressing such ridiculous and rude comments. It is obvious that your writing resonates with so many people, including me. I am so thankful for your voice and for your bravery in openly writing about such difficult questions. Most people are afraid to go there privately, let alone publicly. Faith is all about asking questions, and so many of us have the same questions as you! Great work, Elizabeth! You are an example for so many.

  16. PoetryRIGHTER on November 30, 2017 at 5:35 am

    Hi. I have never read a post of yours prior to this one & made it through all of the comments. I think it helped thatI don’t know any of you personally and found it interesting as my opinion about what i was reading unfolded. I haven’t “blogged” in forever, but enough about that. This blog fell in a suggested category. Today was my first day in years revisiting WordPress. I had to re-read the beginning because I missed whose voice it was- Anonymous vs. Elizabeth. First, I want to say you both- I’m speaking to Anon & Eliz…. have great writing skills, and I promise not to over edit myself so like both of you, I will have grammar/spelling errors but will not go crazy over it. Please don’t judge (it’s my total pet peeve too). Anyway, Elizabeth, mugh of what you wrote (ha! Just noticed should be much), resonated with me as someone who does NOT want to be blind to what’s going on, not bury my head in the sand. I’ve had my rants and my furies and I HATE HATE HATE injustice. I’m disgusted by our current-is it safe here to say- politikkks. I abhor the #maga garbage and am baffled by the amerikkka we live in. I’m biracial and much of an empath which has caused me to literally HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK from all things political, from fb, to then what was my favorite, ig (instagram). I posted some things that I later deleted. I had a sister in Christ send me a private message concerned about words I used and whether or not social media was the appropriate platform. I remember feeling angry A LOT. And i wanted pwople to know. And I wanted everyone to be mad! Shouldn’t they? Because all the craziness is maddening. All the death. All the acquittals. All the GARBAGE. And why should I be silent just to help someone else’s comfort level remains neutral. And why should I have to create a FAKE account (isn’t that duplicitous?) just to voice my rants. And why isn’t everyone ranting? Well, theykinda are! And how are Christins calling themselves Christians and how can anyone support fill-in-the-blank. I say all that to help you see, I get it. Anonymous, because I could sympathize with all of that and thwn the outpouring of support, it took a moment to GET YOU. You were persistent, I’ll tel you. Again, not over editing- so deep breaths and sighs may be necessary- even for me. It’s not easy keeping everything spell check proof when auto-correct or fat fingers get in the way on a mobile device. Y’all know what i mean to say. If all of the Elizabeth supporters who are either her blog followers or friends from church could take a true step back, I think they would GET IT too. I confess, I call myself a Christian and I have a potty mouth. I have a particularly favorite word which I’ve argued is sometimes the only word to do the situation justice- all to my husband’s chagrin. I applaud, Anonymous, your diligence to not just drop the matter but to pursue it with reference, to not be run off by those who would not have you on their island. While I initially believed you to be the bitter one all behind the guise of anonymity, I agree with the likelihood of bullying that would have occurred because it kinda did here. Just as victims of abuse or harrassment keep that information to themselves for fear of etc. I see both sides. As I read on, to each and every post, I, too, in my heart was chanting REVEAL YOURSELF but it is clear that would do no good here. I don’t know whether you did it out of anything but “hey, try this, no offense, but maybe you oughta…” I don’t like being misunderstood and I believe it was easy for both of you (your intents) to be truly misunderstood. At the end of the day, the heart is deceitful above all things (v 9, can’t think of book & chapter & would hate to lose my place or miss the ability to post this- just know I want to actually quote it), and only God knows our true motives. While I took a hiatus from social media, I got back on. There’s something about those neurons firing off…. eitther from hitting “publish” as mentioned above, to just knowing information or seeing cute babies do cute stuff. It’s like getting a little fix. No, not a former drug user. Those dopamine hits are real, though. I digress. My point, Anonymous, after a while I found your message. And while I know you, too, fall short, like all of us, SOMEONE heard you. I heard you. Hmmmmmm. I chuckle sometimes at how good God is and how comical -how he uses that to REACH ME. What if, Elizabeth, this whole thread was not really MEANT FOR YOU. GOD IN HIS OMNI-EVERYTHING knew you would not, maybe could not, hear the message. Knew it wouldn’t take. Perhaps, all along, even as early as 5 days ago (I think that’s when this all started), God knew I would be up late, past my bedtime, rereading my old posts from ages ago and would “stumble” across this thread. And maybe it would take a group of all of you BELIEVERS no matter how flawed, how righteous, how true, how sincere, to battle it out on this forum for me- AND I FEEL LIKE THIS IS COMING ACROSS WAY WRONG LIKE THE UNIVERSE REVOLVES AROUND ME- which of course it doesn’t…. but i’m just FLOORED by the POSSIBILITY of what if i was the only one who could take hearing it & learning from it SIMPLY BECAUSE IT WASN’T DIRECTED AT ME. There was no room for me to get defensive (although in the beginning I was a bit). Hmmmmm. He is a mystery. I will say the first week I was OFF the obsessive cult-like kool-aid of being in the know, Elizabeth, I was filled with PEACE. I was better. I’m in no way telling you to stop or start anything. It would be a shame, though, to miss the opportunity here. The opportunity of allowing a COMPLETE STRANGER via an anonymous poster to drop some jewels. And to be able to If and when the shoe fits, wear it. Consider the plank reference. Perhaps you have only a speck in your eye amd perhaps removing that would allow you to consider we don’t always like the messenger but there can be great things found in the message. All of us could consider the following: What is the message? Why am i offended? Why do i agree? Is there any truth to part of it? Am i putting in my own tonality into the messengers words since this is all in text form? No one knows whether necks were rolling or who was being self-righteous or otherwise (There were a lot of assumptions thrown around, though. Guilty as charged). Am I humbling myself enough to receive a possible message, even in part, from God? This is a lot of spitballing here & quite the longest post. I was actually encouraged by it all & I hope what I got out of it sticks. The knowledge that there are areas in my life as a PROFESSED CHRISTIAN that i need to REPENT of. Because everyday, my life is a message. Is my life leading others astray because they see me loose on certain sins? Anyway, for anyone who made it this far, whether you agree with anything I’ve written, thanks for taking the time to read all the words. May God bless you and may He guide you and may you NOT PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE to anything but Him, His doctrine, yes, His Very hard teaching. Who shall you serve? Let it be God alone. I pray He will know you just as you claim to know Him.

  17. Maggie on December 4, 2017 at 9:48 pm

    So well said. Thank you.

  18. The Manny In Ukraine on March 24, 2018 at 11:40 am

    Love your blog, Elizabeth, but I think I’ll avoid the comments section. Gets a little too “holy competitive” for me.

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