-
You Do You, (Christian) Boo
Whether we like it or not – titles usually come with preconceived notions. Lawyer? Argumentative. Homeless? Lazy. Rich? Selfish. Christian? Judgmental. Whether these assumptions are true or not – they do exist. Oftentimes as a Christian we may feel the need to explain ourselves as to not be clumped into the “self-righteous” category. How do you find that happy medium of being successfully in but not of the world? The answer is crystal clear in scripture: “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take…
-
Bacon With A Side Of Regret
I hadn’t seen my parents in three months – so clearly a celebration was in order when they made it out last week! One of the things I love about Nashville is the food selection. I am surrounded by some pretty awesome spots, each with their own unique flare. I apparently used this visit as an opportunity to completely erase all knowledge of health from my memory. We went out to eat once – sometimes twice – a day. As I’ve mentioned plenty of times before, I’m an all-or-nothing kind of gal so you can imagine the gluttony that took place. If it wasn’t burgers smothered in cheese and bacon…
-
Flying Diamonds
Have you ever met those people that seem to have it all together? Not the ones that pretend to have the perfect life to cover up their insecurities, I mean the genuine people. The ones that are kind to others, confident in who they are, and successful in pursuing their passions. Oftentimes we kind of write them off, don’t we? Somehow the fact that they have “it all together” makes them some sort of mystical creature in a class of their own. If we are all born with the same instincts, the same basic needs, and into the same world – what is it that separates us from them? Inhibition.…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
