I’ve really had to narrow down this week’s list since I haven’t gotten around to posting in a bit!
1. Mary Oliver’s Devotions — Inspired by my friend Lanie and her love for poetry, I got this book by Mary Oliver. I wasn’t always sure that I could read poetry, because in the past I’ve found it difficult to understand. But I’m learning to sit with it longer! Her poetry is beautiful and makes me more mindful of my surroundings, especially nature.
2. Bowling — Okay, okay, I can already sense the judgement from some people, but hear me out on this! Bowling is a very hit or miss kind of activity. What shifts bowling from “blah” to “actually fun” is the people you go with and your mindset. I recently went bowling with my family, we each had a drink, and every round we were hyping each other up. If you go with a group of people you know well and everyone is invested, you’ll have a blast.
3. Some published articles I wrote! — I’ve now added a section on my website to make them more accessible, but I’ve recently written three articles! The first is with IVP on community, the second is a devotional with The Park Forum on Deuteronomy 34, and the third is on pastoral counseling for survivors of abuse and trauma.
4. The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling — I listened to this podcast series so fast! It’s hosted incredibly well by Megan Phelps-Roper (formerly a member of the Westboro Baptist Church). It examines how J.K. Rowling has at different times been a polarizing figure both on the right (writing about witches and wizards) and the left (her recent comments on gender). We get to thoroughly listen to both J.K. Rowling and her critics in an unbiased way.
5. Writers Don’t Need to Suffer to Make Art — I still hear a lot of comments these days about how poor mental health makes someone a better artist, i.e., the trope of being a “tortured artist.” We may fear we’ll lose our artistic abilities if we’re not suffering. This article debunks that idea: “Maybe you do write better when you’re sad. But it’s probably because you don’t practice writing when you’re not.”
6. Tennis — On my summer bucket list, I said I wanted to start playing tennis or pickle ball. I’ve now played tennis twice! (and still want to learn pickle ball) There’s this beautiful tennis court in Lincoln Park by the lake that I’d been wanting to play on, so some friends and I woke up before work to play tennis at 6:30 a.m.! It’s worth it.
7. Taylor Lautner being a kind human being — The guest appearance we didn’t know we needed!! Don’t even get me started on the I Can See You music video.
8. Airheads — Recently, me and each of my three siblings discovered we were all were craving Airheads and bought a bag within days of each other. When was the last time you had Airheads?! For each of us it had been years. It was so trippy for all four of us. This is your sign to go buy some Airheads.
9. Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Try to Imitate The Screwtape Letters — This article by Dr. Laura Robinson is hilarious and all too accurate.
“My dear Qrcbrcschrk,
How droll it will be when we have made abortion acceptable to everyone, and women abandon their children to daycares and seek jobs as office managers.
Your affectionate uncle, Pissshingles“
Let’s just read the Screwtape Letters instead of trying to make our own iterations.
10. The perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe — My friend, Lanie, makes these all the time and they’re some of best cookies I’ve had. The kind where you eat several in one sitting. Bake them and enjoy!
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