fbpx
  • Links galore

    Here are some of the things that I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to lately. I would love to hear your thoughts if you check any of them out!

    The Idol of Thinness

    This is a great discussion about the ways in which our culture’s pursuit of thinness has seeped into the church and become a form of idolatry. (And it includes a link to the piece that I wrote for the May issue of Fathom Magazine, Not Pregnant, Just Fat!)

    The Math of Friendship

    “While my friends are being shaped by motherhood and learning just how deeply they are able to love their children, am I not learning the same through their journey—how to love her when she simply doesn’t have the means to reciprocate? Maybe this is what it’s like to be a spiritual mother to my friends, even if they’re my age or older. Perhaps I learn the art of spiritual mothering, not only by mentoring younger women, but by dropping out of Friendship Math 101 and pouring myself out for my friends without keeping score.”

    The Prosperity Gospel We Don’t Talk About Much

    “My version of the prosperity gospel was not so much about God rewarding me by gifting me with something but by sparing me from something: suffering. I think all of us at some point are tempted to adopt a version of this prosperity gospel that says, ‘With faith and preparation, God will spare me from surprises, changes, or suffering,’ and we are easily shattered when they come.

    Paris, Wine, & Romance

    Yes, I love Hallmark movies, and no, I am not embarrassed about it. 🙂

    A difficult day

    Michael Wear writes about dropping his infant daughter off at daycare: “We all have to live in the world as it is. I am grateful for the work that I do. I am excited about projects I have on my plate, and astounded that I get to do work that both allows me to earn money and feel like my work is contributing to the good of others. But there will always be a tension, and we must begin to acknowledge that the tension is one that is not wholly inevitable.”

    Showing Up Empty Handed

    “There’s a certain American ethos that encourages us to do for ourselves and to be embarrassed about having to borrow or, worse yet, to accept what we can’t repay. As a mother of young kids and a pastor’s wife, I feel this temptation toward self-sufficiency. My weeks are demanding and my weekends overbooked. I’m a high-energy, achievement-oriented person; always tempted to manage life without owing anyone. But accomplishing everything on my own only feeds my pride, isolates me, and leaves me desperate for applause.”

    Accepting Ordinary Invitations and What Do I Say?

    This is a really helpful two-part series on how to love well your friends who are artists.

    Bringing a Tent Peg to a Sword Fight

    A really hopeful piece on the lessons to be drawn from the Biblical story of Jael and Sisera.

    Hannah Anderson’s post on Instagram about life choices

    “Our culture tells us that our lives & identities are ours to create. That it’s simply a matter of making certain choices & chasing your dreams. We love this b/c it makes us feel strong & gives us a sense of control. We are masters of our fate. But there’s a downside.”

    Keep Language Around Kids Body Positive During Swimsuit Season

    I shared this post from Feeding Littles on my Instagram stories and many people seemed to find it helpful.

    A La Carte (June 24)

    A friend told me that Tim Challies linked to Not Pregnant, Just Fat. I am really happy to see the message of that piece getting a wide audience.

  • Links galore

    Here are some of the things that I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to lately. I would love to hear your thoughts if you check any of them out!

    The role of the body in healing after trauma

    “Because human beings are both bodies and souls, our brokenness will always manifest itself both physically and spiritually. Thus the body of Christ must minister in both ways for healing to occur.”

    Motherhood + Apologies

    “When I apologize for things that are not sins, I set up the expectation that perfection is possible. I reinforce to myself that nothing less than perfection is acceptable. I demonstrate to my children that they ought to expect perfection. Every apology seems to suggest that usually these things don’t happen, declaring to everyone around me that this screaming child or neglected duty is actually a rare occurrence. Of course that is what I want everyone to think. The actual truth of the matter is that forgetfulness and messiness and loudness are now the norm. And I’m just going to have to come to terms with that and stop apologizing for the state of my entire life.”

    Can We Finally Break The Silence Around Tamar?

    “David’s inaction should spur us to act. David’s speechlessness should prompt us to speak.”

    Woven: The Threat of a Female Body

    No excerpt will do justice to this important piece. Threads of “purity culture,” #metoo, and #churchtoo run through it.

    Who am I if the most productive part of my day is making my bed?

    A really helpful window into the weariness of prolonged suffering and chronic illness.

    When the Brain Betrays the Body

    This piece gives great insight into the experience of having an anxiety disorder.

    Thinness is Next to Godliness

    “All bodies are good bodies.”

    A Generous Complementarianism

    For those who are aware of the latest debates about complementarianism, this is the best thing that I’ve read or listened to on the subject.

    Your pastor’s mental health matters too

    “Pastors are not a special category of extra-sanctified superhuman. They need just as much grace as anyone else. How we interact with pastors and ministry workers, especially via email and social media, needs to communicate that.”

    I’m Thankful for Therapy (On Mental Health Awareness Month)

    “And even in all of this, therapy taught me that weakness is okay. I am not strong. I am marked by difficulty and suffering. We all are. The sooner I can acknowledge that the easier it is to live in a world that is rife with death and decay.”

    Just Mercy

    This book is exceptional. This is the description: “A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice–from one of the most brilliant and influential lawyers of our time.” I haven’t even finished listening to the audiobook, and I’m already recommending it to people. If you have a Goodreads account, friend me so that we can talk books!

    Placemaker

    If you want to know the reasons why I have loved the various places I’ve lived, read this book by Christie Purifoy, who has lived in most of the places that I have and writes about all of them so beautifully.

    Yet Not I by CityAlight

    Listening to this on repeat.