Religion – Page 3 – Plum Librarian LLC

I’m published!

I am excited to report that a personal essay I wrote has been picked up by The Other Journal out of the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. It’s called: Striving for the Divine: An American Convert’s Early Years in Islam. It’s my conversion memoir, telling the story of my first year in Islam whenContinueContinue reading “I’m published!”

Ramadan 2019: IV: TMI, Lesser-Known Facts about This Month, and a Prayer Request

Normally, I keep my Ramadan posts uber spiritual, and if I don’t have anything nice to say, I don’t say anything at all. This post is a harder look at Ramadan and its traditions. Also, it’s a request for prayer. As you know, my cat Bethesda died this week. I stopped fasting for a fewContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2019: IV: TMI, Lesser-Known Facts about This Month, and a Prayer Request”

Ramadan 2019: III: Getting Closer to God

During past Ramadans, the only thing that mattered to me was an emotional connection to God. A good day of fasting was a day I felt close to God. If I didn’t feel an intense emotional reward, I was bereft. I actually felt punished. I didn’t know that there was another way to evaluate aContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2019: III: Getting Closer to God”

Ramadan 2019: II: Rules and Regs

There can be a lot of pressure to fast to the letter of the law in Islam. In my location right now, that means fasting from about 5 am to about 9 pm. Assuming you’re eating alone or with family, and in your own home, that gets you to, at most, about five hours ofContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2019: II: Rules and Regs”

Ramadan 2019: I: Community

Something I’ve really missed in the last couple of Ramadans is community. I remember the iftaars (fast-breakings) of my teenage years with great fondness. Large groups in family homes. Hundreds at the mosque. Best. Curried. Chicken. And. Rice. Ever. Last Friday I went to the mosque where I live now looking for a little community.ContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2019: I: Community”

Notes from January Spiritual Direction

I met via Skype with JMD earlier this month. My biggest takeaway from the hour was to plan a little less for future sessions. I spent most of the time talking from notes, and what I hope to gain from this relationship is discussion and some external ideas. JMD does need background about me, butContinueContinue reading “Notes from January Spiritual Direction”

The Road to Character by David Brooks 1: Intro and Book Club Questions

There’s a book that I was introduced to at a church book club nearly two years ago that has really stayed with me. It’s called The Road to Character by David Brooks. He’s a NY Time op-editor, PBS NewsHour Friday commentator, NPR Newshour contributor, etc. A talking head, but a seriously thoughtful talking head. ThisContinueContinue reading “The Road to Character by David Brooks 1: Intro and Book Club Questions”