What I'm reading

Hey friends!

It's been a minute since I updated you on what I'm reading. I overestimated the amount of time I'd have to read while I was on maternity leave... Turns out newborns take a lot of energy. Who knew?! ;)

With the help of audiobooks, I did get to enjoy some novels, though! I really liked the Tita Rosie mysteries (Arsenic and Adobo, Homicide and Halo-Halo, and Blackmail and Bibingka) by Mia P. Manansala. They're fun and light, and they come with some great Philippino recipes! As a life-long, die-hard Harry Potter fan, I also really enjoyed Tom Felton's autobiography, Beyond the Wand. 

On a more serious note, I listened to the audiobook version of Hillary L. McBride's Mothers, Daughters, and Body Image. As someone who has wrestled with her body image and her perception of her body, I felt it was important to read that one as I entered motherhood. It was like therapy, and it gave me some wonderful tools! I would recommend it. 

​​I just finished Jemar Tisby's The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism. This is a MUST read for every person of faith! It is so important for us to know and to face our history, even - maybe especially - the ugly, uncomfortable parts.

Color of Compromise spelled out the whole truth, taught me some history I did not know, and reminded me to be very careful with how I interpret our sacred scriptures. Too often church leaders have cherry-picked the Bible in order to support their own hatred and judgement. I NEVER want to do that! I want to be convicted by God's Word and treat it faithfully, not bend it to my will. 

Please, please, please consider reading this book! And let me know your thoughts - I'm happy to discuss! Here is what Amazon has to say about The Color of Compromise:

"An acclaimed, timely narrative of how people of faith have historically--up to the present day--worked against racial justice. And a call for urgent action by all Christians today in response.
The Color of Compromise is both enlightening and compelling, telling a history we either ignore or just don't know. Equal parts painful and inspirational, it details how the American church has helped create and maintain racist ideas and practices. You will be guided in thinking through concrete solutions for improved race relations and a racially inclusive church. 
The Color of Compromise:

• Takes you on a historical, sociological, and religious journey: from America's early colonial days through slavery and the Civil War
• Covers the tragedy of Jim Crow laws, the victories of the Civil Rights era, and the strides of today's Black Lives Matter movement
• Reveals the cultural and institutional tables we have to flip in order to bring about meaningful integration
• Charts a path forward to replace established patterns and systems of complicity with bold, courageous, immediate action
• Is a perfect book for pastors and other faith leaders, students, non-students, book clubs, small group studies, history lovers, and all lifelong learners

The Color of Compromise is not a call to shame or a platform to blame white evangelical Christians. It is a call from a place of love and desire to fight for a more racially unified church that no longer compromises what the Bible teaches about human dignity and equality. A call that challenges black and white Christians alike to standup now and begin implementing the concrete ways Tisby outlines, all for a more equitable and inclusive environment among God's people. Starting today."

I found Tisby's final chapter and suggested action items extremely helpful! Again, I will 10/10 recommend this book! 

Happy reading,
-Pastor Julia