Latest Posts by little-house-of-lost-play - Page 2

I’ve spent my 18 years of life trying to be okay with the fact that humans fade in and out of each others’ lives. No matter how I think about it, I can’t make it sound romantic or poetic. To those who have already passed through my life and to those who eventually will: I love you. I miss you. The back door will always be unlocked if you ever feel like coming home.

Loved the first episode! Lil Steve & Captain Carter are just so 🥺💕

what if…? + parallels 

Have you ever considered that you ask too much, that you take too much for granted?

The sisterly love in this movie really hit 💔🥺 love all the parallels

Natasha Romanoff & Yelena Belova parallels | Black Widow (2021), dir. Cate Shortland

today is the 21st day in the 21st week of the 21st year in the 21st century

misty glow + wildflowers

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY HARRY JAMES POTTER, b. 31ST JULY 1980

the hobbits + name etymology 

“At the very heart of the spiritual life is the conviction that God stands in need of nothing. Our existence adds nothing to the perfection of God; rather, our existence, in its totality, is a free gift. Therefore, our moral excellence adds nothing to God, and our moral depravity takes nothing from God. What follows from this metaphysical insight is the saving knowledge that God is incapable of playing games of calculation with us. It is not as though we have to ‘make up for’ years of misbehavior in order to be pleasing to God. It is not the case that we have to mollify the hurt feelings of a long-suffering God before he will draw us into his life. The Creator of the universe, the uncaused cause of all finitude, is always ready to celebrate with us, because he is neither compromised by our sin nor enhanced by our virtue. He is nothing but love, right through, and therefore the party is permanently on. All we have to do is respond to the invitation.”

— Bp. Robert Barron

My favorite place 💙❄🌲

Yosemite Valley, United States

Some scorching hot tea right here 🍵🔥

What the US has done with COVID doesn’t surprise me because they’ve done the exact same thing with global warming.

- turned its existence into a political issue

- acted like it will go away on its own

- not paid attention to it and pretending it’s because they don’t have the resources

- blamed it on other countries

- made it hard for state governments to handle it on their own

This is so important. Museums and aquariums might not seem like a priority during a pandemic, but they contribute so much to their communities through educational programs, resources, and research.

As a child, I used to attend summer camps at my local aquarium and natural history museum, and I don't exaggerate when I say they changed my life. As an anxious kid, classrooms and tests could be scary and overwhelming. Museums sparked my curiosity and allowed me to explore science, history, and culture at my own pace, without the pressure and stress of a school environment.

These places inspired my passion for learning, my love of science and the natural world, and even my current career path in environmental science. The idea of these centers of learning disappearing breaks my heart. 💔💔💔 Let's help to keep them around!

I cannot emphasize enough, museums/zoos/aquariums and the like are at an incredibly dangerous point right now, and it’s breaking my heart that not only is it happening, but it’s happening so much more quietly than it deserves. The main people I have seen sharing information about the crisis museums are in right now are others in the field, and while I know it’s not out of malicious ignorance, because people love these places and don’t want to see them gone, it’s scary that these places are dying with so much less fanfare than some of the other institutions threatened by the current situation in the US.

I came across an article from NPR the other day suggesting that unless something changes, ONE-THIRD of museums in the entire country (a loose term that includes certain places like aquariums as well) could be dead before the end of the year (source). A third! Can you even imagine the incalculable loss? And it goes so far beyond the services museums generally provide to the public, like field trips or a place to go on the weekends – not that those aren’t important. But museums do so much more than that. If these places die, where do their collections go? Often there’s no one else who can take them in, and as someone who has spent a significant amount of time in the bellies of museum collections, most people have no idea how many specimens or artifacts would become homeless and in danger of being lost forever. In the case of zoos and aquariums, what happens to their animals? Another friend of mine mentioned on Facebook the other day that the Aquarium of the Pacific is not only in dire need right now, but that a person they know who works with them has said that if they close, they’ll have to euthanize a significant number of their animals. And for the places that do survive, they won’t be unchanged. The science museum I used to work for isn’t in danger of permanently closing – yet – but still had make the incredibly difficult call to do a 39% reduction in staff positions, meaning that even when they reopen, the jobs that I and over a hundred and fifty people held before the pandemic – educating, running programs, engaging with visitors on an extra personal level – won’t exist anymore. Another friend of mine doing a museum studies degree has said that even the Smithsonian (the SMITHSONIAN) had to make a similar call and many of her friends doing work there are now jobless.

Your local museum isn’t getting help from the government. Museums, zoos, and aquariums have had to beg desperately for stimulus money that hasn’t manifested. These are non-profits, that rely on revenue from visitors and memberships for the most part, and as they are responsibly staying closed for everyone’s safety, they aren’t getting visitors. Without some form of help, they are going to drop off the face of the planet, or appear at the other end of this as gutted shells of their former selves. 

If you want to help, you have two options: get money into the hands of these places directly, or put pressure on your representatives to offer museums and other institutions like them some kind of federal stimulus money. If you can afford it, this is a great time to get a membership to a place you love – many of them are even offering special online programming for members, so it’s more than just a donation. Or you could make a donation, if that’s a more practical amount for you to spend, because at this point anything helps. And if you can’t do that (or even if you can), yell at your senators and representatives to do something. Many places even are offering guidelines for the sorts of things to talk about, like this script from the Monterey Bay Aquarium (although repetitive scripts are less likely to have an impact than individual e-mails, something is still better than nothing, and you could even read over it to figure out how to formulate your own message).

I’m not usually one to beg people to signal boost something, but it’s breaking my heart that this issue is being ignored. Every day it feels like I have to explain these places are struggling to someone else who didn’t know it was a problem, and while I don’t blame them for not knowing, I want people to know. I want people to be aware that we are at risk of losing some of our most valuable cultural and educational institutions, not find our after all this is over that they’re gone. Please talk with people you know about what’s going on. We need our museums. And right now, they need us too.

learn more about how we make cinemagraphs on our instagram: @kitchenghosts

Ravenclaw aesthetic

Dominican friars from Blackfriars Oxford paying a visit to the grave of J. R. R. Tolkien.

Me during quarantine

eeee

YES. This is canon, don't try to tell me otherwise 😜

The only valid characterisation of Third Age Galadriel is "mother-in-law from hell who trolls Elrond at every opportunity by making snide remarks about his ancestors or making fun of his Fëanorian accent in Quenya". Give her a glass of wine, and she'll spill the tea on every prank she and her brothers/cousins ever played on Turgon, or how Luthien really was That Weird Girl, or how Maglor was an overdramatic lil bitch, and when someone accuses her of lying, she'll go "don't question me if you weren't there" before launching into another story about that time someone put a lizard in Fingolfin's boot.

The peace I needed 💗

Masterpost - Resources for those interested in the Catholic faith

I’ve received a few asks about those who are seeking to learn more about Catholicism. There’s an abundance of information out there so I would urge you to PRAY and ask God to direct you to the books or people which will help you most. Every person’s journey is different!

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Catechism of Catholic Church

Catholic Answers and Catholic Answers Live radio

Catholic Bridge

The Coming Home Network  (explore by denomination & religion)

EWTN

The Journey Home  

Catholics Come Home

Word on Fire and Bishop Barron’s videos on Youtube

Why I’m Catholic

Convert Journal

Strange Notions

BOOKS:

Here are some great lists of books from Catholic converts, some of them overlap in their recommendations yet each of them offer different suggestions depending on the topic:

Douglas Beaumont

Stephen Ray

Blessed is She

Elizabeth Clare

Two New Books:

Forty Reasons I Am a Catholic - Peter Kreeft (also check out his website, or his many writings and videos online)

Why I Am Catholic (and You Should Be Too) - Brandon Vogt

List from Blessed is She:

Rome Sweet Home - Scott  & Kimberly Hahn (website)

This quintessential conversion story has remained one of the most popular books about conversion for over 25 years with converts and lapsed Catholics alike. As a Presbyterian minister and biblical scholar Scott Hahn assumed the Catholic Church was incorrect about everything, until he begins to see that the Church has the answers to all his questions. The book also shares the difficulty Kimberley had with Scott’s conversion, how she grappled with his coming to the Church and her own acceptance of Church teaching.

What Catholics Really Believe — Setting the Record Straight: 52 Answers to Common Misconceptions About the Catholic Faith by Karl Keating

This handbook of common misconceptions regarding Catholicism gives clear answers of what the Church actually teaches to be a true. A great starting out point for someone who has basic questions about the faith, or for someone who wants to know the whys behind Church teaching at a quick search.

Fundamentals of Faith: Essays in Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft

A selection of essays that lay the foundation not just for Catholicism, but for the need of faith and religion and how religion works. A clear framework answering questions about the need for faith in your life, or to answer questions other’s may be tossing your way. Dr. Kreeft’s work is always aimed at helping readers understand the faith more clearly and deeply.

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper by Brant Pitre

A fascinating look at the Scriptural and Jewish roots and meaning of the Eucharist. As the Eucharist is one of the most important teachings of the Catholic faith, this book helps flesh out the importance of Christ’s words and actions at the Last Supper. Seeing the continuation in tradition and teaching from the Old Testament to the Church today makes for a great introduction to the faith and for deepening your understanding of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Bishop Robert Barron

Most Catholics know Bishop Barron, but he’s also making great inroads with people who have no belief by talking about today’s culture from a Catholic perspective. In his book Catholicism, Bishop Barron synthesizes the beauty and teachings of the faith so that someone who has no idea what the Church is about can gain a clear understanding of the Faith. This book is a great reference for the history of the Church, and also discusses the lives of famous saints.

Introduction to Christianity by Pope Benedict XVI

A deep dive into the Apostle’s Creed and what Christianity is by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, this book provides a beautiful, intellectual basis of what Christianity believes. Pope Emeritus Benedict’s insight and genius in his understanding of theology and Scripture is a gift not just to the Church but to Christianity as a whole. Diving into any of his books will provide the reader with new ways of seeing faith, Scripture, and the Church.

Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It by Jennifer Fulwiler

Perhaps the best written and most readable memoir of faith and conversion written in recent memory, Fulwiler does a phenomenal job of detailing what led her to seek truth after growing up an atheist. Her humour and candor make her conversion process imminently relatable and her intellectual honesty is sure to touch a reader of any faith or non-faith background.

By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark Shea

Where does the Catholic Church get the authority to teach her doctrines anyway? Mark Shea shares his personal conversion story as he investigates Sola Scriptura and how biblical authority is the source of the Church’s magisterial teaching and tradition. A book with wit and an easy to read style that answers and appeals to Evangelicals and their questions about Catholicism.

Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross by Edward Sri

A great book for those with questions on Mary’s role in the Church and salvation history from a Biblical perspective. This book follows Mary’s life through Scripture, her journey of faith, her presence in the life of Christ, and what we can learn from her. A great place to begin if you wonder what devotion to Mary is all about.

Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott Hahn

Another invaluable book by Dr. Scott Hahn, Signs of Life looks at different customs and practices of the Catholic Church and the biblical basis for them. Each chapter explores a different tradition, such as devotion to the saints or the celebration of Holy Week and Easter. A great place to begin if you’ve wondered about all this “Catholic stuff” or if you want to know the deeper meaning behind aspects of the faith.

Doug Beaumont’s list:

First – if you’re only going to read one book on Evangelical conversion …

How to Go from Being a Good Evangelical to a Committed Catholic in Ninety-Five Difficult Steps - Christian Smith

Second – if you’re only going to read one book on the Catholic Faith …

Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine - Cardinal Sheehan

Basic Theological Issues

Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church – D. H. Williams: EV perspective on the traditional Church/Orthodox relationship.

A High View of Scripture? The Authority of the Bible and the Formation of the New Testament Canon – Craig Allert: EV perspective on the traditional Church/Canon relationship.

The Shape of Sola Scriptura – Keith Mathison: Reformed Protestant writer’s critique of a misunderstood Sola Scriptura.

The Spirit and Forms of Protestantism – Louis Bouyer: RC philosophical-theological evaluation of the positive and negative aspects of Protestantism.

Understanding Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism – George Marsden: Historical summary of  Fundamentalist / Evangelical movements.

Personal Conversion Stories

Evangelical Exodus – Doug Beaumont, ed.: The stories of alumni and professors from an Evangelical seminary who came home to Rome.

Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic – David B. Currie: RC convert from EV with fair, moderate criticisms.

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism – Scott and Kimberly Hahn: The most popular EV – RC conversion book.

Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic – Francis Beckwith: EV to RC conversion testimony. Half personal / half polemic.

Apologia pro Vita Sua – John Henry Newman: The classic Anglican – RC conversion story.

Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and Anglicanism – Various (Counterpoints Series): Eight authors discuss various conversions.

Particular Theological Issues

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Authoritative source for RC doctrine.

Not by Faith Alone: A Biblical Study of the Catholic Doctrine of Justification – Robert A. Sungenis: A collection of RC articles contrasting the RC with the Prot view of the Doctrine of Justification.

Not by Scripture Alone: A Catholic Critique of the Protestant Doctrine of Sola Scriptura – Robert A. Sungenis: A collection of RC articles contrasting the RC with the Prot view of the authority of Scripture.

Eucharist, Bishop, Church: The Unity of the Church in the Divine Eucharist and the Bishop During the First Three Centuries – John Zizioulas: EO book on the early Church’s Ecclesiology.

An Essay On Development Of Christian Doctrine – John Henry Newman: Classic RC perspective on doctrinal development.

The Infallibility of the Church – George Salmon: The definitive criticism of RC infallibility . (NOTE: The Church and Infallibility – Basil Christopher Butler is the RC response to Salmon’s book.)

The Bible Made Impossible – Christian Smith: RC argument that the popular EV view of biblical interpretation cannot be made to work.

Comparative Evangelical Resources

Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences – Norman Geisler and Ralph MacKenzie: EV evaluation of RC faith and practices.

Is Rome the True Church?: A Consideration of the Roman Catholic Claim – Norman Geisler and Joshua Betancourt: EV evaluation of RC faith and practices. (Of historical interest since Betancourt – already a convert from Evangelicalism to Anglicanism – converted to Roman Catholicism shortly after the book was published).

Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics – Ron Rhodes: EV critique of RC faith and practices from scriptural standpoint.

List provided from Convert Journal:

A Century of Catholic Converts by Lorene Hanley Duquin and Lorene Duquin Hanley

An American Conversion: One Man’s Discovery of Beauty and Truth in Times of Crisis by Deal Wyatt Hudson

Atheist to Catholic by Rebecca Cherico

Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David B. Currie

By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark P. Shea

Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs - Alan Schreck

Catholic Converts: British and American Intellectuals Turn to Rome by Patrick Allitt

Catholics Can Come Home Again: A Guide for the Journey of Reconciliation With Inactive Catholics by Carrie Kemp

Chats With Converts Complete Explanation of Catholic Belief by Fulton J. Sheen

Chosen: How Christ Sent Twenty-Three Surprised Converts to Replant His Vineyard by Donna Steichen

Classic Catholic Converts by Charles P. Connor

Confessions of a Mega Church Pastor by Allen Hunt

Could You Ever Become a Catholic? by Lorene Hanley Duquin

Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church by Stephen K. Ray

Evangelical Is Not Enough: Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament by Thomas Howard

Full of Grace: Miraculous Stories of Healing and Conversion Through Mary’s Intercession by Christine Watkins

Home at Last: 11 Who Found Their Way to the Catholic Church by Rosalind Moss and Michael J. Sheehan

How to Go From Being a Good Evangelical to a Committed Catholic in Ninety-Five Difficult Steps by Christian Smith

If Protestantism is True: The Reformation Meets Rome by Devin Rose

In No Strange Land – Some American Catholic Converts by Katherine Burton

Lead, Kindly Light: My Journey To Rome by Thomas Howard

My Journey to the Land of More by Leona Choy

My Life on the Rock: A Rebel Returns to the Catholic Faith by Jeff Cavins

No Ordinary Fool: A Testimony to Grace by John Jay Hughes

No Price too High: A Pentecostal Preacher Becomes Catholic by Alex Jones

No Turning Back: A Witness to Mercy by Fr. Donald Calloway

On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard

One Lord, One Faith by Vernon Johnson

Prodigal Daughters: Catholic Women Come Home to the Church by Donna Steichen

Return to Rome: Confessions of an Evangelical Catholic by Francis Beckwith

Roads To Rome: Being Personal Records Of Some Of The More Recent Converts To The Catholic Faith by various authors and Cardinal Vaughan

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott Hahn and Kimberly Hahn

Surprised by Truth -: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid

Surprised by Truth 2: 15 Men and Women Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons For Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid

Surprised by Truth 3: 10 More Converts Explain the Biblical and Historical Reason for Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid

The Catholic Church And Conversion by G.K. Chesterton

The Faith of the Early Fathers -

The Ingrafting: The Conversion Stories of Ten Hebrew-Catholics by Rhonda D. Chervin

The New Catholics: Contemporary Converts Tell Their Stories by Dan O’Neill

The Lamb’s Supper - Scott Hahn

The Path to Rome by Dwight Longenecker

The Unexpected Way: On Converting from Buddhism to Catholicism by Paul Williams

This Is My Body: An Evangelical Discovers The Real Presence by Mark P. Shea

Welcome Home!: Stories of Fallen-Away Catholics Who Came Back N Returned by St. Joseph Communications and Victor R. Claveau

When Other Christians Become Catholic by Paul Turner

Why do Catholics Do That?

Women in Search of Truth: Converts to Catholism Tell Their Story by Jennifer Ferarra and Patricia Sodanno Ireland

And Stephen Ray’s list is long and detailed, check it out on his website!

Tumblr’s tendency to promote political isolation (i.e., only associating with people who completely agree with your personal polemic) cannot feasibly carry over to most parts of your life. Like I want you all to know that part of being a successful adult with a job and networking and all that requires making connections with people you disagree with and not making a big deal about it.

Hi, Catholic here 👋 I usually post nerdy/fandom-related stuff but definitely some Catholic goodness too! 😄 I'm new to tumblr and don't post that often, but I'd love to meet other Catholic bloggers here

Reblog if you’re Roman Catholic because I am looking for Catholic blogs to follow.

YES to all of this!!! Especially the Tolkien one - little pre-teen me literally SCREAMED with joy when I found out my favorite book series was written by a devout Catholic author & had Catholic themes

some catholic memes:

how many nuns can you fit in a car

pyromaniac altar children

discourse abt whether screaming babies should be taken outside or be allowed to stay at mass

the heating of the church is broken again

how many crosses is too many to have in your house

saying “Christ suffered for us” when you have to tolerate minor inconveniences

saying “Christ suffered for us” as an excuse to not go to the doctor

saying “Christ suffered for us” when you have to listen to someone sing terribly

priests are always down to eat and drink

acting surprised when mass starts on time

Found my new catholic aesthetic! 😍

Call your mother.

“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin”

NOOOOO MY HEART 💔😭

The kid truly care about our planet more than adults and politicians

Was, was no one going to tell me that J.R.R. Tolkien had a mystical experience in November of 1944? J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in a letter to his son that he had “a sudden vision” during a session of Eucharistic adoration, where he saw a single mote of dust struck by a ray of light, and had a Thought about the nature of guardian angels. He thought of each guardian angel as the personalization of “God’s very attention itself”; that is to say, just as how the Holy Spirit is the love between the Father and Son existing as an eternal Person, a guardian angel is a ‘finite parallel’, the love God has for each individual existing as a created person.

***fangirling intensifies***

I know that Peter’s Jackson Lord of the Rings trilogy technically has flaws but also....it doesn’t. It’s perfect.