Published in Backyard Church·PinnedIgnorance is a ChoiceUsing my platform to advocate for LGTBQ+ rights within the religious community — My friend, author, and activist Jamie Arpin-Ricci has a habit of challenging his readers to think through everything they do. He recently wrote: “If you are an LGBTQ+ affirming cishet Christian who remains in a non-affirming church in order [to] be a change from within, make sure your queer friends…LGBTQ4 min readLGBTQ4 min read
Published in Backyard Church·PinnedMember-onlyA Text Message Prevented Me From Dying By SuicideAnd a perfect example of breaking the law to save a life. — (Trigger warning: suicidal ideation) Seventh-day Adventists believe the fourth commandment, the one about the Sabbath, still applies nowadays universally, not just to Jews. Nine years ago, a friend broke the law to save my life. Let me tell you the story. The Plan The plan was straightforward. I had just dropped my…Religion4 min readReligion4 min read
Published in Backyard Church·PinnedMember-onlyThe Pastor With a Semicolon TattooMy story isn’t over yet — (Trigger warning: suicidal ideation) My colleague and I were walking alongside the train tracks in beautiful Vancouver. We were so excited! There was a bright future ahead of us. The church that we pastored sent us there to attend a personalized workshop, just for us! Then the railroad shook. A…Semi Colon Project3 min readSemi Colon Project3 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·15 hours agoHow do You Obtain Peace?Do meditation and spirituality help? — According to Google, peace is “freedom from disturbance” and “a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.” If that’s the definition of peace, then I’m in trouble because my mind is disturbed (mental health-wise), and I am at war with my body (chronic…Faith2 min readFaith2 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·15 hours agoIn Search of PeaceLet’s see where this journey leads me — “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2, 4 NLT) It makes sense, except for “perfect.” Fortunately, you…Faith1 min readFaith1 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·1 day agoThree Things I Love About MyselfA mental health exercise — I am supposed to write three things I love about myself, so why don’t you help me figure them out? No, I’m kidding. It’s meant to be a mental health exercise, so I need to do it myself (but post it publicly, go figure). 1) I love people without a…Mental Health1 min readMental Health1 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·1 day agoToday is The First Day of the Rest of My Life.My weight loss journey is about to start — The doctor approved medication to help me lose weight by suppressing my appetite. I need to lose 70 lbs, so it may take a year, but that’s fine; I’m not going anywhere. The antipsychotic pills I take presently are helping my mental health. I don’t remember the last time I…Chronic Illness1 min readChronic Illness1 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·2 days agoI’m SadAnd my heart is heavy. — I feel like hiding under the blankets and closing my eyes (and the ears to my mind). My senses are tired and overstimulated. My brain needs to rest. I read a book that was supposed to encourage me — a story from the Bible that was supposed to lift my…Mental Health1 min readMental Health1 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·2 days agoI Follow Trans Men and Women on Social MediaProtecting the LGTBQ+ community from Christians — I read their blogs and comments section and give feedback from time to time. One of my mentors is an LGTBQ+ pastor, and I read material about LGTBQ+ theology. Why? Because they are here to stay — they are not going anywhere. And because I love them. We cannot ignore…LGBTQ2 min readLGBTQ2 min read
Published in Empathy Cafe·2 days agoI Miss Having a Simple Faith In JesusDeconstruction Isn’t Fun I’m sitting on my bed, listening to calm music, pondering about my walk with Jesus and enjoying the company of my faithful Nova. I miss having a simple faith in Jesus. Electroconvulsive Therapy wiped so many things from my brain. I haven’t been the same since receiving…Faith2 min readFaith2 min read
