Books, Taylor Swift, and other hyperfixations
At the beginning of March, I attended a liberation theology class at my church and borrowed a book from my pastor's library with every intention of giving it back. At the beginning of April, I am in lockdown in my studio apartment. ...what the hell happened? March Happenings Coronavirus is here and it's really serious.… Continue reading March Wrap-Up
I joked about doing a Lana Del Rey recommendations tag. Insteaaaaad... ...I FOUND A HALSEY BOOK TAG! I've had a crush on Halsey since she dropped Badlands in 2015. She also serves as my hair inspiration (sorry, Nicholas Petricca.) Am I gushing? I'm really stoked about this tag. Castle Favorite queen DC Bombshells is already the… Continue reading Halsey Book Tag
Last month, Methodists voted against LGBTQIA+ inclusion. As a result, Conservative Methodists - including the Wesleyan Congregational Assembly and delegates from Africa - took control of roughly 77% of the English alphabet. In response, affirming denominations claimed custody of the letters L, G, B, T, Q, I, and A. Conservative Methodists struggle to make use… Continue reading Aftermath of the Methodist vote
Yesterday, the United Methodist church voted to uphold its ban on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy. Because of this, my home church will likely leave the denomination. I don't know what entails. The anger and disappointment are coming on slowly. I didn't think this would actually happen. When my pastor proposed the four different plans… Continue reading No Longer a Methodist
Won't lie, didn't love 2018. Maybe the year wasn't a total lost cause, because of new friends and growth experiences and improved health, but I sure hated living through it. Different things influenced my year in big ways and I want to sum them up: I quit my job I finally got out of… Continue reading Lauren’s 2018 Retrospective
It's Sunday and I'm headed to church. I wanted to stay on theme. (Sort of? My church views sin differently than other churches. Don't get me started.) Thanks Berries and Books for your great post on the topic. Greed What is the most expensive book you own? I received a beautiful coffee table book… Continue reading 7 Deadly Sins Book Tag
Over plates of mediocre spaghetti, I hear a familiar discussion start. A fellow Christian (usually male, shaking his head sadly) puts his fork down and bellows, "The body of Christ is so FRACTURED!" The rest of the table pauses. I munch on a corner of garlic bread. "How can we have UNITY in the church," the… Continue reading Solving Spiritual Debates
In 2015, I wanted to move to Portland, Oregon. When people asked me what my Plan was, I'd tell them, "I'm going to move to Portland and work at Powell's." Some people thought this was a cop-out, not knowing I was describing my Dream Life. I couldn't wait to work at my favorite bookstore in… Continue reading Seattle Reality Checks
I've been on a health kick recently (and not just because my antidepressants are making me fat.) After reading Gretchen Rubin's The Happiness Project, I retooled her basic premise: What if I pursued not happiness, but health? In June, I worked on my physical health, prioritizing yoga, meditation, and meal prep. In July, I focused on… Continue reading Spiritual Health Month
I have books from childhood that I love and books that I constantly reread. This list consists of books that have impacted my actual life in big ways. On my spiritual health I read A Woman's Place by Katelyn Beaty and Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey while wrestling with mixed messages from the church regarding women. As much as I hated… Continue reading Lauren’s Go-To Reads: Actual Influences
Narrative Paradise 