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Risking Mediocrity
I love listening to motivational speeches. When I’m getting ready in the morning, when I’m cleaning, when I’m doing cardio – ok especially then (talk about needing motivation). Today’s theme seemed to be about taking risks. I must have listened to at least five talks today and they all shared this topic in some way. Let’s be clear – not all risks are equal! The risks that I am referring to are those dreams and ideas that stir inside of you – the steps and opportunities that seem crazy or even impossible. We serve a God that is over the top. He knows what we are truly capable of (he…
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You’re stupid…now go conquer the world.
There are a lot of mixed signals in this world about being unique. When you’re young you’re encouraged to be yourself and to dream big. Parents and teachers reinforce the idea that you can do anything you put your mind to. Then you get to high school. Not to say peer pressure doesn’t occur before this big chapter in life, and not to say that everyone has a negative experience, but generally speaking high school hits you like a bus. All of the sudden your self confidence and control is tested like never before at a time where you are still growing and learning who you are – and it…
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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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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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Breadcrumbs From a Hair Dryer
I was sitting on the floor drying my hair yesterday and trying to figure out why I’m here (in Nashville). I felt called here without knowing exactly why or what my next step was going to be. Now here I am, almost three weeks later, still searching for an answer or even a hint. Usually I feel ungrateful or selfish if I ask God for things – especially because I am sad to admit the last year or so I feel as though when I need help I only pray as a last resort instead of an initial instinct. But as I was drying my hair I realized how crazy…
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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…
