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The Belayer, the Rope and the Rock Wall
So I went rock climbing (indoors) for the first time today! I have always wanted to do this. No time like the present, right? I was super nervous but excited. It wasn’t the typical nerves one may assume would come with your first climb. I had no fears of falling, breaking bones, or equipment malfunctioning (although the fact that the person I went with is an awesome, positive, encouraging person who just so happens to be an instructor probably helped to keep any of those traditional fears at bay). My fear was much less logical than all of that: the fear of failure. We started at what was basically the…
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Why Christians Should Meditate
Meditation is defined as follows: to think deeply or focus one’s mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. It is derived from Latin meditate, meaning ‘contemplated’, and from the verb meditari, meaning ‘measure’. To contemplate means to look thoughtfully for a long time at or to think profoundly at a length. Measure (as a verb) has many synonyms including evaluate and assess. Stillness, Silence and Simplicity There are three main components to meditation. In relation to meditation, stillness simply means to be still and remove any distractions. Silence means to let go…
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How To Have A Successful Day
We can be so critical of people. We are quick to judge before knowing the backstory; we notice flaws before strengths; we hold grudges. When someone hurts us, we feel entitled to hold onto it. We use words like “fair” or “deserve”. I’m in the air right now and I’m looking down at what looks like little boxes and little specks moving along a little line. Below me are thousands of people. Some are getting up and going to work. Some are dropping their kids off at school. Some are still curled up sleeping in bed, and some are curled up on a street corner because they have no bed.…
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Flex Your Faith
While working out, I started thinking about how faith is like a muscle. Seems like a corny illustration, I know, but it’s a very accurate one! When you first get into fitness, your muscles are in a state of shock. They quickly begin adapting and the results you start seeing are amazing and motivating! You feel happier from the endorphins, you feel strong physically, and you become more confident in both your body and your abilities. You can do more than you anticipated and you feel unstoppable. You crave more. Fast forward a little and here comes the inevitable brick wall. You are still strong, but the results you once…
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Face Your Fears…of Humility
As Christians, we are called to serve others. We are called to take up our cross and follow Christ’s humble example. Humility, however, is no excuse for complacency. Humility is not the opposite of being successful or great — that is a lie that pride sneaks into our hearts. Jesus wants us to strive to be great — he just redefined greatness. “They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first…
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Everything Comes Alive – We Are Messengers
“In the evening when my bones are tired You’re my strength and my heart’s desire You’re the light when the sun expires I remember how far I’ve come I’m not lost with You I’m home I didn’t find You on my own” I was listening to one of my favorite songs on the way to work this morning — Everything Comes Alive by We Are Messengers — and I was reflecting on a sermon I heard on one of my favorite stories in the Bible — The Valley of Dry Bones. In this story, God gives Isaiah this vision and commands him to prophesy to a valley full of human bones. Isaiah trusts God…
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Divorce: Peace For the Future
Divorce is a terrible thing. It does nothing but take from everyone involved. It takes away trust. It damages the heart. It has the ability to affect all aspects of life. Dreams deteriorate and it leaves people hurt and most importantly vulnerable. The enemy thrives in this type of environment. He finds pleasure in our weakness because it gives him an advantage. He wants us to believe that we are defined by our relationships. We are defined by others’ views of us. We are powerless against this. But there’s a problem with that. We are NOT defined by these things. We have something that he can’t take away. Peace.…
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Breadcrumb Trails
“God works in mysterious ways.” We have all heard — and probably used — this saying before. Although there is a lot of truth in that statement, I am starting to figure out that He has a particular strategy when it comes to my life. I tend to be a bit of a dreamer. I like to use my imagination and I like to use it in all aspects of life. As with any personality trait, this can be a blessing but can also cause me a little trouble sometimes. When I get an idea in my head, my imagination takes off and there is no way to slow it down! Whether it’s thinking…
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Do you really trust God?
I have been asking myself this question a lot lately. Initially I’m sure your response was the same as mine: of course I do! The Bible says that faith without works is dead. It also says that everything you do flows from your heart. I love God with all of my heart and soul, but looking back at some of my choices the last year left me wondering. Do I really trust God with my life? Do I seek His will in every single decision, or only the ones I choose? Am I boldly pursuing God’s plan for my life even if it doesn’t line up with my own? I…
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Agape: A Love Like No Other
Agape: Noun / Christian love, especially as distinct from erotic love or emotional affection. Early 17th century: from Greek agapē ‘selfless love.’ I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. I look for the good in them before I see the bad. I see potential in people that everyone else writes off. I thrive in helping those people see themselves in a positive light — the way God sees them. Sometimes they do prove me wrong, and for some reason I am disappointed and surprised every time that happens. But alas, I do it again and again. People tell me that I am “too nice” (which I totally take as a…
