I’m a prideful, superstitious Christian, and that’s not okay

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness…~ 1 Timothy 4:7 ESV I hate that I'm a superstitious person. Not superstitious in the usual sense. I am delighted when a black cat crosses my path. I'm not usually afraid to open an umbrella inside. I only sometimes throw spilled salt …

Fear: The Persistent Enemy

Trials and difficulties are supposed to show us our true character, right? Turns out, I’m in a constant cloud of fear.

Cancer Treatment Updates and Small Victories

(Note: None of the pictures in this post are mine.) As I write this, I'm halfway through my latest round of cancer treatments. The current regimen, consisting of two chemotherapy drugs, is a step down from the BCG I had two rounds of already. BCG is currently the gold standard for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, but …

The Real Screwtape Letters: Depression, Healing, and Spiritual Warfare

(Part two of a series about my personal experience with depression. Read part one here.) “Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” ~ William Shakespeare, The Tempest I'm a logical, rational person—in general. I appreciate science and critical thinking. I believe that God created the physical world to obey certain laws of nature. …

Sex and Wholeness and the Single Christian

It's been a while since I got furiously worked up over a church sermon, so I guess it was about time. And boy-howdy, did I get worked up. Just to bring you up to speed, I moved back to my hometown-ish area in NW Ohio in January, and I have since joined a young-adult ministry and …

First Post of 2015: Quick Personal Update

I would never use the word "superstitious" to describe myself, but I probably should. The main reason is that I am hesitant to discuss happy events and positive outcomes in my life--especially in such public outlets as Internet blogs--out of fear that this will somehow "jinx" them. A bit silly, really--life is full of ups and …

Traveling The Trail Takes Its Toll

That might sound a little more dramatic than it is, but the alliteration was irresistible. This isn't a travelog or a photo-featuring post. I need to share and process a bit about the mental/emotional/spiritual experiences of the travels so far. The trip has been amazing. And God is really good. I've been easily losing track of …

In Defense of Pretty Things and Pretty People

I'm a passionate fan, but not always the most loyal. My interests ebb and flow. Some things become lifelong passions while other bursts of enthusiasm fade quickly, never to be revived—like fireworks. After a few months of reading, YouTubing, blogging, discussing, referencing, and joking, I've decided that Game of Thrones is one of the latter. My …

Female Sexuality in the Christian Church, Part Two: Modesty and Girl Power

(If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading Part One of this post before proceeding.) Women—our bodies and minds—are powerful. This power should not be hidden away out of fear, guilt, or shame, but celebrated and exercised appropriately, with good stewardship. Examples of “strong female characters” exist in myth and legend, plays and books and …

Female Sexuality in the Christian Church, Part One: Drive and Desire

The unthinkable has happened: I got pissed off at C.S. Lewis. For part of my Lenten activities, I'm reading through Yours, Jack, a chronological collection of Lewis' letters. It has been a wonderful way to observe his spiritual development, gather more of his insight, and see the germs of ideas that would become some of …