My parents accidentally raised a feminist. In my personal work of deconstructing and reconstructing my faith, I found the patriarchal environment in which I was raised was at odds with the faith they also taught. So I set to work reading and learning about dismantling the patriarchy. Mind you, I was told that feminists were …
If you grew up in church, you learned how to pray. Perhaps you learned by default or may have been taught certain prayers and methods. The evangelical/reformed churches I grew up in had a specific view on prayer. The liturgical church I am part of now has a different, and also specific view on prayer. …
Halloween is rather controversial holiday for many Christians. Christian living is often about making choices between good, better, and best practices in our families and communities. In the season of October, the spooky, the scary, and the downright horrifying are given a central place in public consciousness. How do Christians cope with all of this? …
Christian Living as Seen in Pride & Prejudice & Zombies Read More »
The Sea Beast is set in a fictionalized environment reminiscent of the 1600-the 1700s. The concept of exploring new lands and expanding the kingdom was definitely the vibe of European kings and queens and is how the Americas became colonized. Rather than be at war with a particular people group, the “hunters” aka explorers are at war with Sea Beasts. Massive creatures brought to life from many a legend can destroy ships and towns.
Purity culture took deep roots in the 1990s and 2000s. I know precisely who introduced my mom to “I Kissed Dating Goodbye”. It was the wife of a church elder, whose eldest daughter gave my sisters and me piano lessons—the same elder who baptized me when I was nine. While purity culture may have been …
Disney/Pixar studios have been a real strong kick of dealing with the trauma of late. From the trauma of being outsiders (Luca) to family expectations (Encanto and Turning Red). Now, in Lightyear, they turn to another side of trauma, shame. Lightyear is a movie with amazing artwork, a fun space adventure, and a sprinkling of …
Lightyear: Finding the Spirtual Themes In Pixars New Film Read More »
Reading nonfiction, self-help, and Christian trade books can be wonderful for helping you love your ordinary.
Doubt is uncomfortable for so many Christians. Many feel that they have a right to the answers. I would say that it is baked in as part of the American mindset, a sense of rightness. American Christians have a peculiar arrogance that is offputting to many people. We need to become comfortable with doubt if …
Joy: Anne Shirley by L. M. Montgomery
How Anne Shirley sees past her difficult circumstances.
This series was originally shared in my Substack newsletter. As I learned to look for the fruit of the Spirit in different areas of life I was struck by the way various literary heroines displayed the fruit. It was incredibly difficult to narrow down the list. Maybe someday I will explore more literary heroines! Love: …
Finding the Fruit of the Spirit: Literary Heroines Read More »
