Religion – Page 7 – Plum Librarian LLC

Ramadan 2018: 3: Planning an Eid Party

A great part of Ramadan is it’s sociability. When I converted to Islam in 1988, I was the fortunate recipient of many, many Iftar invitations. That’s the feast that breaks a days fasting. I also ate many a scrumptious meal at the mosque. As a fellow convert and I once said, They suck you inContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2018: 3: Planning an Eid Party”

Church Shopping with the Red Cedar Friends

Marie took me and Jacob to her home church this week: the Red Cedar Friends. Remember how I said if I found God this search would be over? Well, I felt God in that silence. And that’s the first and most important thing. But I’ve decided to take it slow. The Red Cedar Friends isContinueContinue reading “Church Shopping with the Red Cedar Friends”

Ramadan 2018: 2: Reasons Behind Fasting

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a requirement for Muslims. It’s one of the five pillars of Islam. It can be really rewarding, and it’s also really challenging. For me, the whole point is intimacy with God. And fasting is uniquely well suited to creating that intimacy. When I feel that intimacy, Ramadan isContinueContinue reading “Ramadan 2018: 2: Reasons Behind Fasting”

As Ramadan Begins

I’m going to fast to the best of my ability this year. Ramadan begins May 15. I find meaning and beauty and connection to God in the rituals of Islam, although I must admit that fasting alone can sometimes be lonely and hard. I’m trying to read some additional perspectives about the Gospels and I’mContinueContinue reading “As Ramadan Begins”

Bethlehem Lutheran: An Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Congregation

My church buddy has been talking for a couple of months about attending an ELCA church and this week, on the spur of the moment, I joined him. His mother’s family was ECLA. Marie was at Quaker meeting. I gotta tell you. There’s no one particular thing that shouted to me about this experience, butContinueContinue reading “Bethlehem Lutheran: An Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Congregation”

One more post about The Gospel According to Mark

I’ve spent more time thinking about the concern of my last post: whether the message, for me, of Jesus’s healing, is that if my faith were great enough I would be cured of my mental health challenges. I’ve decided to go a completely different way with it. I’ve decided that rather than thinking of myselfContinueContinue reading “One more post about The Gospel According to Mark”

The Gospel According to Mark

Ohhh, I feel so ignorant. I actually spent quite a bit of time in my youth attending Catholic and Baptist churches. How did I not learn more about the Gospels? Here’s one simple thing that raises questions for me. Matthew and Mark tell the story of how Jesus approached a fig tree out of seasonContinueContinue reading “The Gospel According to Mark”