Cool People

Studying Genesis 3 in my eschatology class and talking about the origin of the Battle of the Sexes made me want to fight this us-versus-them tendency by affirming some of the men who have made an impact on my life.

I am grateful for:

My grandfather, Harold Stark, for his gentle silliness and the unconditional love he has shown me for 27 years.

Bill Smith, for making me feel worthy of attention when I was overwhelmed with insecurities.

Bruce Bibb, for encouraging me both to study the Bible carefully and to open a Roth IRA at age eighteen.

Joel Newton, for listening to my life’s passions and supporting me as I pursue them.

Roy McGarrah, for continuing to be a helpful older brother who teaches me to express my emotions and think deeply about the world.

I wouldn’t be who I am without these amazing men. I am so thankful that they have been a part of my life.

When I first went to Dallas Theological Seminary, I was scared I wouldn’t fit in. I’ve always been too conservative for the liberals and too liberal for the conservatives. Voluntarily walking into a place that churns out pastors intimidated me to no end. My first class was Introduction to Bible Study in a tiered-seating room for 200. Doing my best to go unnoticed, I slipped into an empty seat in the second to last row. A blond girl was next to me, and we smiled hellos before directing our attention to our laptop screens.

The next week we sat beside each other again, and this time I glanced at what she was doing online before class started. She was reading Rachel Held Evans’s blog, and I blurted, “I love her!” before I could stop myself. The girl next to me smiled widely.

“I might, uh,” I stammered. “I might consider myself a feminist, I mean, a little.” Continue reading →