Labeling VS Loving

So I came across this article the other night entitled: "7o+ Celebrities Who Are Christians".

This peaked my interested because 1. It's always nice to know of believers in an industry that can be anything but Heavenly, fighting the good fight. But 2. is the title and the character that is assumed from the title "Christian". See there is an instant categorization that this title brings. The potential for those to adore and the potential for those to hate.

Let's be honest. We can all sometimes stroll in the mindset that as a "Christian" we are doing pretty well. We have a pretty "blessed" life and we have been doing good things.

So as I scrolled through the list to read the various quotes and info about each celeb, I felt my brow furrow in confussion or disapproval in those who were on this click bait list. My thoughts went to judgement and Bias as I saw various celebrities who "claimed" to be christians and all the sudden I sat there in shock of myself in that judgement call that I had no right to make nor am called to be making. As a servant of Jesus Christ I am called first and foremost to LOVE. 

"How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take that speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You Hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."- Luke 6:42


Here's my point. With all the agreeing and disagreeing currently happening all around us, I see highlighted more and more a particular understanding on what it means to love one another. with a conditional sense.

It IS possible to love unconditionally while not agreeing with someones views. Plain and simple. We as humans are flawed and it is so hard to actually do this in light of all the flaws and disagreements or views of so many around us, but it is possible. None of us are neither high or lower in ranking than anyone else. We are all broken, we are all sin filled.

We all have the ability to love and be loved.

The only difference between me and these celebrities is truly the lime lighting they are in alongside the cameras where as we simply can fly under the radar and make assumptions of people we don't even know.

So I challenge you to walk in those who's shoes are seemingly more or less comfy than our own, seemingly less clean or seemingly spotless.

We all need to be saved from ourselves. Why not let Jesus do what he came to do?

















-Keep Adventuring.

Life Pouring.

While my husband is neck deep in reading/studying on average 20 chapters a week of nursing textbooks and labs, I have been struggling to finish a short chapter book on the truths that are The Auto Biography of George Muller and his devotion to serving orphans in 1800's Bristol.

There are a few things I would like to admit here:
1. Social Media is something I struggle with often and am continually being sobered to this reality.
2. Reading has never been my nitch. I have struggled with it longer than I can remember and if I could read at a faster pace, I'm sure I would enjoy it more.
3. By the time I sit down to open a book, I am passed out because I am so tired. How???
4. I often struggle to retain information from text because I am very much a hand on experiential learner.

This book, however, has been very convicting. Not in a sense that I feel like I should be pursuing building and running a house for 700 orphans but very much feel as though I had not been pursuing seeking the Lords wisdom and leaning on his will and his will alone for mine and Austin's life.

All this to say in the midst of seeking continual support financially as we have gone down to a single income while Austin devotes his time and efforts to getting his nursing degree these next 2 years, I have felt panicked that it has fallen on my shoulders to provide when in reality it is indeed GOD who is the provider.

Through out George's life he never approached or even ASKED ANYONE to give money or provide for him but would continually go to the LORD with his needs and it has been astounding to see what glory and testimony the Lord brought through this mans life that God truly is living and breathing among us! He prompts us and those around us! He is so delighted and proud of the service we, his children, bring to cultivate and bring Heaven to earth.

But why has it taken me sooooooooo loooooong to only literally get to chapter 22 of this only 237 page book? Because I have felt a little bit stuck. Don't read me wrong. I feel much fulfillment and joy from what I have been actively serving with Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries! I am also not saying that God is calling me away from this ministry and serving full time!

A team from SROM praying over a fellow teammate.

That has been made very clear to me through this transition of working remotely from Riverton while Austin is in school. The support both within the ministry and far from my support team has been incredibly encouraging.

I have felt a bit stuck because I feel like God wants me to take a further step out in faith physically in my continual journey of building this temple he has given me for the Holy Spirit. It has been almost a year since I have begun from scratch and have been rather ginger in recovering and seeking correction for my neck and back. It has been a continual 1 step forward 2 steps back down the lader of growth and improvement.

I am dealing with lazy addictions to processed sugar and social media that have shown to be much harder to kick than I ever imagined. I've done research! Both these items are as addictive as COCAINE!

My point being that I have been seeking the Lord not only for his provisions and healing over my body, but also direction on how I can best glorify HIM through this recover process and grow a continual public testimony to his provisions in my life to help as many on this earth both next door and with neighbors around the world. I want so badly for the Lord to use me more and more as he continual sharpens and refines me!

I keep coming back to a life poored out entirely for him and the constant surrender and laying down or lifting these physical or financial burdens to him daily.

Needless to say this is still a huge area of prayer for me and yes the conversation that my husband and I had over dinner last night about reading, very much, provoked deeper thought and processing on the current season of my life and what I am conversing with the Lord of how to best step out and trust in in provision and strength.

To be continued...

Counting It As Rubbish.

It says in the bible that all possesions should be sold and that it is worthless. It is so easy to read this passage and feel inspired and empowered by this practice. Or perhaps a bit terrifying to think about what you would be needing to sacrifice...

"Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. then come, follow me."- Mark 10:21 (NIV)

Many may interperet this verse as literally need to sell everything. And perhaps this is the truth for some in the midst of an awakening or epifany. However for me it is continually humbling in a way that I sometimes feel like I get tired of being humbled in. Which clearly means I need further humility in the subject of possesions and money.

Let me flash back to when I left California and began my trek with my personal belongings in a rented Toyota FJ. my life packed into a car yet again, driving toward the unknown. A thought that crossed through my mind was this, "What if I got robbed and kicked out of my rented car and this person drove away with the car and everything in it?" I thought to myself that if I were ballsy enough I would beg this person to atleast let me keep my road bike. That they could have everything, but please just let me keep this bike.

Why?

1. At least I wouldn't be stranded...

2. It's my road bike! I have ridden across the country on it twice and down the coast of California! There is so much sentiment to it and it is literally the most valuable thing I own and possess  because of the memories and my love for cycling!

Both of these reasons I now look back on and am continually reminded and humbled that it literally doesn't matter. The only thing that does is Jesus. If you have Jesus, you know that Jesus has you and litterally no posession on this earth could ever weight enough to move the scale in it's favor and have as much worth.

My co-worker, Tim, told me the other day that he accidentally lost his brand new Feathered Friends sleeping back he had just purchased at the beginning of the summer because he was unloading his car and it must have rolled underneath his car. The bag dissapeared... He felt foolish for loosing this rather costly, lovely possession BUT he followed the greivence by saying "It's OK. It's just a thing."

Right you are Tim and if I haven't thanked you for that reminder already, thank you!

I see the verse above as a few reminders. That we should not look to our posessions for value and acceptance but we should look to the one who saved us from ourselves and still does daily. It is OK to have earthly things but do not hold to them tightly as if they were the end all be all. The end all be all is Christ Jesus. If something is lost or if you feel pushed to give it away, do so.

"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." -Philippians 3:8 (ESV)

Love. Is. The. Greatest.
It is good to love and steward the things God has blessed us with in our lives from possessions to people. But it is far more important to love people well as exemplified by Jesus Himself. And to let go of the things that don't matter.




-Keep Adventuring.

Scuffed Up Knees.

It is the end of ourselves that can be so hard to overcome. In a sense it feels like failure when we come to the end of ourselves. But this is all that Jesus wants. Yes... It is not about a sense of pride and knowing I can make it on my own but instead the humility and the continual surrender to the understanding, acceptance, hope and JOY that we gain in knowing that we don't need to do it by ourselves and all that we make of this life is meaningless in comparison to the glory of eternity.

I am reminded constantly that I am merely just here to help. I struggle in this many time, DAILY. I struggle in the flesh of wishing I could be that continual thing... Comfortable. Financially comfortable. Comfortable in my own skin, comfortable in my competencies of what I do day to day. Comfortable in social situations and comfortable in acceptance of things I can not and should not control.

It is through these frustrations and bashful unpacking that I continually repeat this process of coming to the end of myself. Humbly red cheeked looking back up at His glory and asking for forgiveness in these stumbling s over needs, wants and "thinking I needs".

As our apartment isn't even slightly packed, and we transition in a somewhat constant unknown. I have realized more and more how unsteady I feel and this scares me. Not just in the unknown of what these next two years will look like but a constant coming to the end of myself to where God begins to proceed where he had previously paused on working on certain areas of me. In trusting, in humility. in reminding me of where my true treasure is.

If I'm honest I do struggle very much with the truth and promises of eternity when there is so much shinny and cool status' to be had and rank of experiences had and cool factors of who's doing the coolest what and how many likes they have on their feed because of it.

But what is the point if there is no depth in 2D photographs, filters and nonsense?

I am reminded and at times get very excited about eternity, but then these shinny things distract and pull me away from keeping my eyes on the crown. I begin to veer away from the direction and influences I should follow in order to run the race and finish well. And as much as I hate to admit it, I sit in the bitterness of what isn't mine that honestly will not matter in the end Versus what I already posses and am completely oblivious to, which is "the way, the truth and the life."- John 14:6

In many way we come to many ends of ourselves over and over and over again. and in each of these comings, His grace is sufficient and although we may be embarrassed in our stumbling s, He himself is so proud of and overflowing with love for us that we have come to the ends of ourselves over and over to allow him to take the wheel again and to grow us, and wash us of our sheepishness.

It is at the end of ourselves that we become least distracted and the most observant of His presence and peace.

Thank you Jesus.

Influenced.

I had another dream that I was best friends with Sporty Spice last night...

Perhaps it's because I follow her on Social Media or perhaps it's because I simply just can't get past my love for 90's nostalgia. I am just continually fascinated with where they came from, their peak of career as The Spice Girls and how each of them have grown and expanded individually.

And I can't help but be continually curious as to how English culture compared to American culture is so different. Each of them are married except for Mel C. All 5 seem perfectly content in growing families pursuit of other careers in fashion and radio as well as content with their spouses.

There is a more personal theme in English culture that I happen to envy. There is still a sense of privacy, it seems, that is respected and people are just people. They are inspiring people... But just people.

I dreamed that I looked back at my Dad as I was walking away with Mel C and the girls to go spend some time catching up and he didn't recognize them and I laughed and asked him if he remembered standing in a crowd of people at my first ever concert looking through binoculars to see the tiny specs that were the Spice Girls on stage during The Spice World Tour. He was still perplexed and then that scene faded.

I'm not sure why I've had such laid back dreams about simply hanging out and being friends with them. It's just a fact that I truly wish I could sit down with them and get to know them genuinely. Not as a fan... Just a friend.

I don't care if you judge me... I don't care if you think it's stupid. Within the changing fame of their career there was struggle, anger, distress, depression and heartbreak. But through it there was joy, there was positive impact in the ripple effect of their peak. And that ripple effect continues to inspire, impact and grow our culture. Check out this pretty amazing Documentary: Giving You Everything

They've taught me a lot of things and as I continue to type, feeling like this post is a lost cause because perhaps no one will take me seriously... I truly am thankful that we as human beings have the opportunity to impact and be impacted by those around us near and far.

Imagine if the influences in our lives positive or negative had never existed. Imagine in influences didn't exist period! I honestly can't... Can you? Even Jesus himself has influenced us while he walked this earth and continues to influence our daily lives.

He calls us to be a positive influence and example for all to witness. What an incredible opportunity and what an incredible journey to know that in a crazy, out there kind of way but the influnce of the Spice Girls brought me to exactly where I am today. That and many other influences.

I often wonder if there was any moment... Any moment at all in my life that had been different, what my life at this very moment would be like, look like.

Some may believe that smaller moments don't impact the course of a life but I happen to remember the moment on one of my bike tours across country that I realized I should make the decision to return to California and work another season. I also remember that people in that season taught me a lot and if I hadn't committed to pursuing continuing the work God had for me in California I would not have pursued SROM. And if I didn't pursue SROM, I may never have moved to Wyoming. If I never moved to Wyoming, perhaps, I never would have met my Husband.

...Drastic, I know...


Just take a look at your life and think about where you are, where you came from and your dreaming of where you're headed... There is influence and impact everywhere.

Perhaps one amazing day I will have the opportunity to sit down and chat with the girls like it's a typical day... a reunion. That'd be neat.







-Keep Adventuring.

Redemptive Perspective.

I simply can't recall how this thought began to enter my brain. Perhaps it was the news of some random celebrity getting a 3.9 billion dollar divorce or randomly thinking about the movie "Now & Then" that became one of my favorite movies after I had seen it for the first time at Marissa's house back in, like, 5th grade.

There were many iconic scenes from this movie and too many favorite lines to quote but I do remember one scene in particular that, at the time, I had  felt like I was apart of the gang more than ever. At that age I felt like I was Samantha. Take a look at this scene I've posted below... All the way to the end.

"In 10 years half the population will be divorced"
"I find that hard to believe"

But the truth is that now since the 70's and 90's divorce rates have gone up.

My life entirely aside I had ,until recently, thought that America's divorce rate was the highest in the world. Simply because it always seemed to be the latest trending subjects in social media and always talked about in our culture. However, I decided to see if I could track down some numbers. These probably aren't the most recent considering this article that I'm citing was published in 2014, BUT, The numbers and facts are blowing my mind. Bringing me to realize that America actually is doing better in some ways percentage wise.

For instance, out of the world rankings for divorce rates we are actually at #10 at a percentage of 53%...#10!

9. France-55%
8. Cuba- 56%- "Cubans are entitled to apply to the government to have costs of their wedding and honeymoon covered. With little to worry about other than actually finding a spouse, it's no wonder so many are getting married"
7. Estonia-58%
6. Luxemburg-60%-"Grounds for divorce in the country require that both parties are above the age of 21 and that they have been married for at least two years." (Yeah! Make them work through it!)
5. Spain-61%-"Catholicism has become more of a cultural identity rather than a religious practice, so Spaniards have no qualms about moving towards a more secular approach."
4. Czeck Republic-66%-"Grounds for divorce in the country are fairly straightforward: a fundamental breakdown of relations must be proven for the courts to dissolve a marriage."
3. Hungary-67%
2.Portugal-68%
1. Belgium-71%- "...divorce levels have been climbing, with the decline of the church cited as a key factor in these figures."

To read more on the article, Click this link:World's 10 Most Divorced Nations

Each country has a specific way of determining whether a divorce is really necessary.

Now I am not here to step onto a soap box and rant about how people should try harder at being married or have more grace, compassion or seek deeper wisdom before even stepping into marriage.

If I'm honest I would have LOVED for my parents to have stayed together. But under specific circumstances, I am very thankful they are divorced. These details I will not go into. However I am also so thankful that they got married in the first place. It was apart of Gods plan so that my brother and I could be brought to this earth intertwined with both my Dad and my Mom.

It is true that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Knitted in our Mothers womb just as my best friends little ones are currently being knitted by my living God.

Truth: I don't always understand or choose to accept why my parents or anyone elses parents get divorced. But I have learned to accept it and respect that even if it seems like failure to witnesses or even those who are divorcing, there is truth and compassion, grace and forgiveness in Jesus.

Why.

Because Jesus wept for so many. He doesn't hold grudges and He DOES forgive as long as we are are seeking his forgiveness, humbly. Divorce is not an unforgivable sin. It's not.
 "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." -Matthew12:31

Truthfully I see more and more that we can't comprehend the grace and mercy that Jesus offers us because we hold onto these humanly flawed failings.

I was that typical child who at times blamed themselves for this season that my family was in. But I have learned more and more that it truthfully is not meant to be blame shifted, but instead, be accepted that it can't and wont be fixed... But instead healing can occure, and strength gain be brought back... Just... Like... Getting a knee replacement. Sure we don't want to do the deed but sometimes things just fail. We are human. But with the opportunity to heal with the help of a new season, healing and strength take hold.

The importance here is to push just a bit hard each time to bring yourself out of the possible rut or emotional exhaustion you may experience along the way in your time of healing. Getting out of the ordinary and simply getting yourself moving even if it feels like your progress is minimal. The more consistant, the more you progress and begin to feel the freedom and the liberation of the healing that God brings and His mercies that are new daily!

Take a moment to praise Him even in the hardest of seasons and I can guarantee that he will BLESS that acknowledgement and continue to nudge you up those hills, mountains and seemingly cliff sides just as his pointer finger was clearly on the back of my bike saddle while riding those physical passes across the entire United States.

Original Photo Cred: alphabent.com/%23recumbents, Photo edits: DOH

-Keep Adventuring

Working Hard or Hardly Working?

The more I spend time at the University's Gym, the more I am convinced that there are even seperate sub generations within the millennial generation. Where as the Baby Boomers are majority incompetent to technology (my Mom still has a flip phone and she is so content). But through this unknown art, there is strength I have realized older individuals hold. That is social intention.

What?

I personally have sought to disconnect myself from my cell phone as much as possible. I chose to ask for and iPod for Christmas so that I can have my music and music alone during my workouts. In my opinion it helps immensely with discipline and distraction.

While I look around the gym to these younger birds, I have noticed more and more that there is more thumb conditioning through scrolling and texting. I witness a lot of sitting and staring at a screen in the hand.

Friends working out together who say few words to each other between sets and cardio because they are too busy looking at what's trending on Twitter.

Those intentional, vulnerable conversations existing less and less. Again Vanity wins all as sweats are barely broken and posts are put up. #hittingthegymhard #workhard #puttinginthehours #gymselfie

...The same reactions are deterred only slightly when the majority of young girls who are flaunting themselves and lifting weights that are not a healthy weight to be lifted at their skill level and strength. All for a guy who does it often. These girls ooze their flirty interest in hopes that affection would be shown back... But lets face it, guys are oblivious.

Again intentions skewed and false expectations set for each other.


We must own what we pursue and for truth not for misleading circumstances. These are things that I've learned for myself over the last 10 years. But I feel it is something that I have always gravitated more toward. The passion and desire to better maintain my body instead of being distracted by social interactions. Because of this I have tried more and more to follow the baby boomers in social intention.

I see more and more round about ways of complimenting and pursuing. Instead of a verbal compliment, there is more "likes" needed in order to feel like it's worth something. Instead of a physical conversation we ignore the call so that we can text instead.

I'm not mad. I'm simply stating truth in what I'm witnessing. It brings me back to the rings on my finger and the present that I live in while very much hoping that my daily focus during my morning work outs have some type of rubbing off effect and example on these "youth" who share my generation just barely.

I can only hope.

I hope that people, including myself, would look at real things instead of through a screen and filter. I pray that the bondage of these hand held devices would be broken and that the importance of face to face connection and communication is so much more important than needing to hashtag your food and spend an entire date on your phone!












-Keep Adventuring.

There Is a Bigger Picture.

There are times when we go along in our lives and all of the sudden something  jerks our heart strings out of tune...

A brick hits our face
We are closelined
We are slapped
We are tripped
A punch is thrown
Air knocked out of our lungs
Something stuns us...Paralyzed 


All the sudden the world seems so much colder than what we remember. We are volted into the realness of things unthinkable. And there is a stickiness to it. Unable to move backward... Unable to move past it.

I was reminded last night that within the current seasons at hand we must remember these words:

"1 Who ever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
     will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
     my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you
      from the fowler's snare
      and from the deadly pestilence.
4  He will cover you with his feathers,
      and under his wings you will find refuge;
      his faithfulness will be your shield and ramparts.
5  You will not fear the terror of the night,
      nor the arrow that flies by day,
6  nor the prestilence that stalks in the darkness,
      nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
      ten thousand at your right hand,
      but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
      and see the punishment of the wicked.
9  If your say, "The Lord is my refuge,"
      and you make the Most High dwelling,
10  no harm will overtake you(me),
       no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
       to guard you in all your ways;
12  they will lift you up in their hands,
       so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
       you will trample the great lion and serpent.

14 "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him;
       I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
       I will be with him in trouble,
       I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
       and show him my salvation."
-Psalm 91


We cannot be touched. We are surrounded by His angels. Yet we feel the heat of the attempt and verbal attack as Satan speaks lie anfter lie after lie until we fall to our knees and cause harm on ourselves. We trust the lie that it is destroying us. That it will ruin all.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I am desperate to lean on His and not mine as to how things could happen if the Angels we are surrounded by wont even allow the enemy to stubb our toe, yet the self infliction is so real because to the penetrating lies bring us to do this to ourselves...

I am reminded of the temptation Jesus went through with Satan when he came to the wilderness to pick up his cross and sacrifice for us...

 "5The devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: 

"He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"

7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"


As Mat Kearny's "Closer To Love" repeats through my heart, I am reminded that we cannot be touched. But instead we are being pulled closer to God through each circumstance. Though we don't understand the WHY behind things that happen we must trust God that it is for his good which is why it was in his will for it to happen.

There is a bigger picture.

Even in the parting of friendships, relationships, marriages, death, suicide, cancer, depression, the list goes on.

There is a bigger picture.

And I will be the first to admit that I cannot comprehend it or understand it but I don't need to. As I think about the terrible idea and attempt to comprehend loosing, say my husband, or someone else. Or someone who looses a child or something that is so near and dear. But still being able to trust God that it was for his good...(Austin is fine.)

"11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11

We feel harmed in these moments. We attempt to comprehend and believe the lie that it was meant to hurt us in the moments of the pain of grieving that we experience.  God created human emotion, but it is our own thoughts that lead us astray through misinterpretation of that hurt.

I am still struggling within these moments but though I cannot comprehend I am choosing with all of my might to just trust in God and remind myself that He is good...







 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255







-Continually praying.

Miniature Perspective.

Have you listened to Katy Perry's newest song, "Chained to the Rhythm"?

No?

Pause and listen to it now!

 

There are currently 2 videos out but this is the first one that I had found and clearly it was made for my eyes! #miniatureeverything

But in some ways this song very much relates to my post from last week! If you haven't read that post check it out here:Real Life Lyrics to Live By 

The lyrics are amazing.

Are we crazy?
Living our lives through a lens
Trapped in our white picket fence
Like ornaments
So comfortable, we're living in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable, we cannot see the trouble, trouble
Aren't you lonely
Up there in utopia
Where nothing will ever be enough?
Happily numb
So comfortable, we're living in a bubble, bubble
So comfortable we cannot see the trouble, trouble

So put your rose-colored glasses on
And party on...

Turn it up, it's your favorite song
Dance, dance, dance to the distortion
Come on to turn it up, keep it on repeat, stumbling around like a wasted zombie
Yeah, we think we're free
Drink, this one's on me
We're all chained to the rhythm
To the rhythm
To the Rhythm
Turn it up

You know some people think that Katy Perry is absolutely insane. But I think she is actually very intelligent. She's open and she's blunt. She's transparent and continually seeking Jesus. And hey, we're all not perfect, but her journey clearly continues.

And so our journeys continue too...





-Keep Adventuring.

Real Life Lyrics to Live By.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will."- Romans 12:2

When I think of the first time I heard this verse, I thought it was specifically people or practices or worldly possessions. But then I would flip on music.
Music has always had a way of influencing my emotions and how I feel while listening to them. Music is an expression of emotion, seasons in emotions and things that can inspire emotion. All around music is always emotional.

Making you feel:
inspired
depressed
excited
turned-on
angry
content
sexy
empowered
degradded
careless

In a way music can have the impact that you ARE the person who's singing the song. That the lyrics can be interpreted exactly to your life... Or perhaps you begin to delute the thought process in relating to the lyrics... Imagine that this song is the story of your life, longing to be able to claim it as your own.

We begin to perform these songs in the car with the steering wheel as out microphone. We know these lyrics by heart and yet we don't even know what we're singing. We claim it's the beats that we are into but pay no mind to the lyrics... False. The lyrics stick deeper than you think. Soon a love ballad connects emotion to a love that was lost or a longing to be known. They can bring us into an alternate reality.

Music has the chance to empower, bring hope and celebrate joy. But it also has a way to alter our mind sets. This can cause us to focus on emotions that aren't even really existent in our current season of life. Kind of like Instagram or Facebook stats portraying something completely different than what really is.

In 2017 America was dubbed one of the most obese countries in the world ranked at #10.
How does this relate to music you're wondering?

I have a theory... Pop music causing obesity. Degrading music could cause us to careless about ourselves or others and then could lead to repercussions on self image, self worth, identity. Based on meaningless, crude lyrics that we know by heart, fall out of our our lip syncing mouths of day dreaming madness. Motivation and realistic expectations lost in translation based on a standard that has been created and will never be met.

 Would we ever actually say such lines as:
 " See you standing over there with your body.
Feeling like I want to rock with your body.
And we don't gotta think 'bout nothin'.
I'm comin' at ya.
'Cause I know you got a bad reputation.
Doesn't matter 'cause you give me temptation.

And we don't gotta think 'bout nothin'."- Ariana Grande- Side to Side

or

"I'm tryna put you in the worst mood, ah
P1 cleaner than your church shoes, ah
Milli point two just to hurt you, ah
all red lamb' just to tease you, ah
none of these toys on lease too, ah
Made your whole year in a week to, yeah
Main b*!@& out of your league too, ah,
Side b*!@& out of your league too, ah... Hundred on the dash get me close to God, We don't pray for love we just pray for cars...
Look what you've done! I'm a motherf*@$in' Starboy."- The Weeknd- Starboy (*Explicit)


But would you actually even say these lyrics, these thoughts out loud to someone? why? what would ever be the point of having these shallow "conversations" or words with toward someone other than seeming power, image, wealth, authority? We are wrongfully defining what these words really mean and instead putting in what we want to believe.

Worldly image. I'm honestly saying that if you ever did say those things and mean them to anyone you know, you'd probably get slapped... But we can dream and imagine what it would be like, can't we?...Temptation.

 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will."- Romans 12:2

Now I am not saying that "secular music"(non Christian music) is a bad thing... In fact I enjoy listening to "secular music". I do like the beats, I do like the pace, I do like the sound of SOME Voices. I also just really enjoy keeping up with pop culture and being able to converse about pop music and therefore give those who don't know Jesus an opportunity to see that we "Christian Folk" aren't so cookie cutter either. But it's when I begin to connect myself too much with the lyrics or song meanings, that's when I step away and put on some Hillsong or Bethel music. However it isn't JUST when I feel like other music is perhaps drawing me away from the Lord. I listen to both genres often and I can tell you that I see these aspects from an entirely different perspective. An un-healthy reliance on music, on musicians, music artists and celebrities if we aren't careful.

We. Need. Jesus. 

Not Ben Howard music (which I enjoy) to allow us to be in a funk of depression and eventually lift us out once we feel sick of playing it. Not Angry aggressive music that makes us FEEL like we're being heard when we belt out the lyrics.

Jesus helps us cope with our physically flawed bodies whether mental or our misconception of self image in a culture that is so cookie cutter. Why else did God give each of us our very own finger prints, like no other?! Because we are unique and supposed to be ourselves and no one else. In anger He is there to remind us that things like anger, fear, anxiety are NOT of Him but of Satan trying to take control along with temptation and sin so that we WILL CONTINUALLY CONFORM TO THIS WORLD.

So why should we ask,
"Baby, what's it gonna hurt if they don't know?
Makin' everybody think that we solo.
Just as long as you know you got me. And boy I got ya.
'Cause tonight I'm making deals with the devil.
And I know it's gonna get me in trouble.
Just as long as you know you got me..."Ariana Grande- Side to Side

Why imagine life through shallow degrading song lyrics when you can live in the reality that Jesus can bring to you... A reality that is:
Truth in freedom.
Truth in love.
Truth in Identity as a Son or Daughter.
Truth in what is said about not conforming to the world. But instead, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind."









-Keep Adventuring

Page Turner: Slow Down.

I have been having a slight problem depicting what day it is... It can't possibly be Thursday again already... But it is. How could it possibly have been a week already? This is the question I've been asking myself every week for the last 6 weeks or so.

Lately I feel as though 2017 has hit hyper speed and there is no slowing down in sight. And as I drive to and from Fort Collins on Tuesday, I think about how much the fall of man truly exists. How our bodies are no longer meant to withstand the turning of time. We are not physically eternal.

I've been thinking about how I have been out of high school for 12 years now... 12! I think about how I've been out of college for 8 years now... and I wonder to myself how that much time has passed. I see old photos pop up on my facebook page as a "flashback" but it feels like just yesterday.

We looked so young
Babies
Chubby bunnies
More pure than ever
Gullible
Nieve
Completely oblivious to what the world was...

...At times I still feel oblivious...

My point is this. -Invincibility-. As someone who is humbled by this perceived notion daily with aches, pains, and pride stripped, I see this constant reel in my mind of how 24 hours can pass like it's nothing but indeed as each of those 24 hour incriments pass... Our bodies are being broken down by the harshness of this world.

By the air
By the Elements
By the exertion
By the gravity
By the stress
By the burdens
By the politics
By the improvements
By the busyness 
By the cravings
By the sin
By the guilt
By the love
By the service

All these items that I have listed above can be catagorized in so many different ways by personal example. But again the reel that comes to mind on repeat in my head is like a flip book couple who has been married for 60 plus years and picture them in this picture book as young in the beginning as young, nieve and risilient people.

This is a large picture book. You can choose to flip slowly from day to day or you can flip it quickly as it actually feels while years pass by without even realizing it. Before you know it you're looking at this couple that felt inexperienced in life. Perhaps people wondered if it was even a good idea for them to get married so young. Now, wrinkled faces that have smile lines and crows feet I bet there are still seasons of life where they feel that same inexperienced feeling but still loving each moment as it comes. 

Even now not even a year into my own marriage, I look at my Husband and wonder what it will be like 60 years from now. How much time like that could possibly pass. But it does... More quickly than we could ever believe. We can't believe it. But here we are right now!

Thinking about:
All that we have done
All that we haven't done
All that we've seen
All that we haven't seen
All that we have accomplished
All that we have failed

However...

We mustn't view our lives from a succeeding VS failing point of view. Nor should we believe the lie that just because we are at a certain point in our lives or if we aren't where we would like to be at a certain point in our lives, that there is still time.  But also there is time to reflect and enjoy these seasons of our lives.

Just take a quick look at some of those who inspirational.  Being 30 is a brand new realm for me. There are times when I feel very old... But when you take a look at those who began at an age that is almost an entire life time a way from who I currently am... It has the potential to inspire and blow our minds.

Ernestine Shepherd-The worlds oldest bodybuilder who just turned 80, began her fitness journey at 56.

86-Year-Old "Iron Nun", Madonna Buder- Completed her first Iron-man Triathlon when she was 65!

Joseph Campbell - Didn't create Campbell's Soup Brand until he was 52!

Vera Wang- Didn't make her first dress until she was 40! 

My point is that everyday we age. Even if we feel the youngest we ever have. EVERYDAY we age and get beat down by our surroundings, we live the lives that we have been given! The amazing thing is that we don't need to mourn this continual aging process. 

We need to celebrate more. 

We need more revival out of dead end routines and feelings.

We need to encourage more.

We need to dream more.

We need to live in the moment before the weeks pass by like an hour or a minute hand on the clock and all the sudden we look in the mirror and realize more time has flipped by in this flip book of memories and seasons than we had ever anticipated.

But even if it did... Start today... Or continue today.

-Keep Adventuring.

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photos and article credits: Tumblr, People Magazine, Highsnobiety, Cooks Info, Business Insider and Google

Dreamer

Recently I have been having dreams where I've been back in highschool. Dreams where I am with people I haven't been with for a very long time or have even honestly thought sbout regularly for over 10 years.

Dreams about various events or traumatic events that stir extreme aspects of emotion. Extreme joy, extreme sadness. Extreme anger or extreme frustration.

When I dream about being back in high school it is usually consisting of me trying to get to a math class that I haven't attended all year and I need a passing grade in order to graduate. I haven't done any of the homework and yet I'm thinking to myself, "why am I here? Do I really need to be here right now since I've already gone to college?".

Recently I had a seemingly prophetic dream about my friend Ana and how she was accepted by her church to become a fulltime missionary over seas... I texted her the following day (Monday) and told her about it because it was such an emotionally joyful dream. She told  her final interview to do just that was Tuesday. She texted me Tuesday evening and told me she was indeed accepted into the program and would be leaving in a few months to pursue being a full time missionary through her church!....

FREAKY

I've had very few dreams that seem to some what  mention true things about future news, events or approaching seasons of life. Never big events like political or destruction. More the feeling and understanding that perhaps because this persons spirit is kindered or connecting with mine via Jesus and his heart and compassion about the understanding of His compassion and our calling and purpose to seek his heart and pray what He prays, I am compelled and convicted to pray for these people no matter how long it's been and it brings me to connect with them via letter or text or phone call and check in. It's amazing but can also be very intimidating. But as I've said before... God likes when I'm uncomfortable and so it is the continual surrender of my comforts and abiding in what He would like me to pursue. He places these things in me as I rest the tent he has given me.

I am amazed by my brain and my spirit colliding at times. To feel so overwhelmed in that moment by what was seemingly the end of the world or the hardest struggles in life was being IN High school, seems to, now, be a calming mechanism within me to say that things seemed easier back then and honestly if I could get through that, I really could get through anything else...

The underlying message, "you'll come through, God will provide. In another 2 years or so you will be at a different season where you are humbled and thankful for what currently is".


Other dreams I've had recently include heading to the mountain after a seeming long yet short drive and realizing that:
A. Boots are buried in the snow
B.  Boots are missing
C. Not fitting my bindings
D. Boots fit great but I've forgotten my skis.
E. Skis have been misplaced or stolen
F. Poles are lost in a used gear store and people think I'm trying to steal them
G. Stuck on the longest lift ride
H. skiing but not enough snow.

Clearly I need to remedy these thoughts and yearnings with obsessively double checking my packing and get my butt up to the mountain.

What dreams may come... At least I haven't been talking nearly as much as I used to in my sleep. At least that is my hope considering I haven't heard my husband mention anything lately.






-Keep Adventuring.










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Comforts of The World: 6 Pack Abs In Just 30 Simple Minutes!

Just when you think you've gotten used to things. You are thankful everything is going well and that for once in life... Things are smooth and you think that you could and would like to get used to the pace of just cruising.

Often when things get heavy and a bit outrageous in life, I know I've done this but have you?

I think, "Just once it would be nice if things went smoothly and actually fell into place."

I just want things to go smoothly.
I just want things to be easy for once
I just need things to go how I want them to go.
I just...

The beggar mentality that ensues from the "I just" creates a sense of becoming a "victim" instead of a strong son or daughter. How often have I begged God to just give me the easy way. I begged for once that school would actually go well. That financial woes would be no more and that comfort while on the earth would take over.

Reading that last sentence just paralyzed me in thought. I myself know that comfort comes in many ways. However I am reminded often through finances, or lack there of, that God shows his glory through the process as we seek him. If that need was not currently there I would then not be seeking him fully to provide. I am often torn with this thought. I do pray that my trust would not be faulty because of financial roller coasters. My prayer indeed is that one day I will be financially blessed in a way that enables me to bless those who will be in my shoes like I currently walk in them today.

But I do not want to seek the comforts of this earth. That is not my purpose. Purpose is to live every moment while I am on this earth colonizing and spreading the good news but ultimately I can't imagine living with these seeming woes for all of eternity... There is too much of his glory and too much celebration that out weighs the pain, sorrow, worry and stress of this world.

You can have all this world, give me Jesus

This is a real thing...Sauna Pants

To beg for things to be easier or less complicated truly puts our spirits at risk of being strengthened by the trials that God has set before us to grow, strengthen and guide us. We want the tone bodies and strength to climb hard things yet we groan when we need to train and strengthen our bodies to be able to endure these things. Unless you get bit by a radioactive spider that somehow intertwines into your DNA and makes you part spider therefore give you wicked awesome strength... Hmmmmmm

Reality is, if you want it badly enough AND it is in Gods will to make it a part of your life, he will bring it to fruition. But it wont just, poof, happen...
Kind of like these products...Viewer discretion is advised...

If it is worth it to us we will persevere...
If it is worth it, we will fight...
If it is worth it we will pursue...

It's worth it...

However don't forget that in the midst of pursuit, the trials, the hardships, stresses and downright failures will strengthen us...

They will humble us...

They will SHOW us just how present God is in every hour of everyday...





-Keep Adventuring.





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It Was December.

It was December as Austin and I made our way down I-25 that I sat back in the passengers seat and suddenly felt this decompression of my heart and mind. It was December when I departed from a place that still holds a piece of my heart. It was December when I stood in rain puddles and prepared myself for what was a huge leap of faith and complete surrender.

I mean common who am I? I had never had the desire to raise my own salary monthly. I had no desire to reach out to people and ask for their financial support yet my heart was softened to the idea and changed by the opportunity to serve in a new place and for a purpose that He had placed deep within me before the earth was created.

Photo Cred: Carl Costas

Before that it was July and I felt these heartstrings being tuned to a different genre. The same God who softened Pharaoh's heart to let his people go, was in the process of changing my heart. Stripping bitterness, exhaustion and staleness away from the various crevasses that I had come short of maintaining in my season of numbness. He began to awaken this soul in transitional directions.

It was December when I put all of my possessions into a car and drove toward something unknown while leaving something so known that it startled my depths as it sank in that I wouldn't be returning to the normalcy that I had known for nearly 5 years.

It was December when I had made a decision. The decision was to follow, obey and commit the entirety of myself to go wherever He led me. That was on a brisk night in a coffee shop/ used book store in Pennsylvania that had one of the best Roasted Red Pepper spreads I had ever experienced. It was December when I walked out of that coffee shop and the weight of my burdens, sins and past had rolled off my back as I hopped on my bike through snow and night sky. It was December when my life truly began when I was 23...

Being born is a hard uncomfortable situation. I wouldn't know physically because I was too young to remember. But spiritually comes in the same type of context.

It was December when I came home after moving west to follow as I had promised and I couldn't wait to get back. It was December when I couldn't wait to leave the place I had been called to for so long. Returning after 2 bike tours cross country and reluctantly obeying and seeking faith that He was faithful in what He asked of me.

Across America 2013

Across America 2013

It was December both times when I returned from South Africa with a wrecked yet joyful heart of the friends I had made and the work of Gods hands that I witnessed in his children and his creation. It was December when cultures collided from warm to cold. From welcoming to personal bubble patrols in Cities I had never really explored on my own before. Grace soaking into the empty feeling spaces and redeeming his love as I conversed with loved ones.

South Africa 2013

It was December when I departed permanently from the establishment I had thought I would be at forever. It was December when I drove up the road with the windows down to smell the air that the canopy provided and let the dampness of the duff seep into my skin and soul for the last time to rejuvenate and bless me for the last time until we meet again.

Redwood Forest

Giant Sequoias

Redwood Forest

Spring 2011

It was December 2 years later as I sat next to my Husband headed to New Mexico for New Years and suddenly the decompression of my heart, the continual healing of time and His grace and mercies renewing again and again who I am and reminding me of who I was. It was December when I how incredible that season of my life under the canopy really was. It was December when I finally let go of the door knob and began to take steps away from the closed door FULLY into this season I now currently stand...

It is January and I stand with a thankful heart and new perspective. Humbled by His faithfulness and thankful for His Grace, compassion and mercy on my stumbles.

It is January.





-Keep Adventuring.





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