What are you running towards?

In our culture, I see apathy and escapism everywhere. I think they go hand in hand. I hear them in simple phrases, like, “It’s alright,” “It doesn’t matter,” “No one is going to care,” “Don’t worry about it,” “You can only do so much,” “Do what you want,” “Whatever.” I see them in sports, games, [...]

Does the Bible matter?

 The impossibility of reaching a consensus decision on what the Bible actually is relates to the fact that there is bound to be some level of agreement amongst all parties involved in the discussion.  The controversy arises over what inevitably cannot be affirmed.  This is different than, say, reaching a consensus over the nature of [...]

Addicted to Church Shopping

My name is Leanne. And I’m a Church-aholic. But I keep telling myself I’m not, because I’m so beyond labels. I try to ignore the raw sense of euphoria I get every time I buy a new pair of jeans, or how I get an instant charge from devouring the latest Anthropologie catalogue. But I [...]

We lost our dog in Africa

“SIERRA!” I yelled that name dozens of times last Sunday afternoon; each time my voice trailing off with a measure of embarrassment. You see, Sierra is our new puppy that we lost less than 24hrs after we got her. She was given to us by a friend who knew we were looking for a new [...]

Where Are We Going?

Note: Our friend Tyler–who blogs at Full of Running and curates music at Vinyl Me, Please–brings words to places where most minds fear to tread: the profound ways we’re affected by music, and the insight we gain only through painful experience. We asked if he’d write about a time when the two things came together. [...]

The Car-Wreck School of Anxiety Management

or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Hollywood Freeway It comes upon me late at night, or sometimes late in the afternoon. It’s because it’s been too cloudy, or maybe because the sunshine is growing oppressive. It’s because I ate too much yesterday, or haven’t had anything since breakfast. It starts somewhere [...]

The value of virginity

Suddenly, we’re farther than I’ve ever gone before. Beyond the mind-altering sensations that follow one upon the other like stock cars on their final lap, my ears are ringing with the impact of having met this unlikeliest of all people, to whom there’s no need to explain jokes or literary references or certain secret hopes, [...]

The Comedy of Atheism

I have never been to an atheist church, but I can imagine that I would have a good time. Their services seem upbeat and positive, and they are full of songs, socializing, and more often than not, comedy. For me, the most interesting part about these atheist churches is not the irony or contradiction of [...]

5…No, 6 (Possible) Reasons Why You (and I) Avoid What We Love

I’m sleeping in the very most comfortable bed, these days. But even 2000-thread count sheets and a down mattress can’t save me from blinking awake at 6am, the frontal lobe of my brain itching with congested creativity. “Hey! You could write about this! And then after that, say this…that’s clever, right? And then wind it [...]

Recap: Q Los Angeles 2013

So a couple of weeks ago, Jeremy calls me and says, “Would you be interested in attending this conference? Let me know by the end of today, because early registration is ending.” Normally, I’m not really a conference kind of girl… (And trust me, there are conference girls. Guys, too. They’re like those kids at [...]