🪨Strengthening Your Foundations🪨 To say I've been walking through a busy season might be a mild understatement. Between a (somewhat) recent move and some new shifts in my role at church, I've been navigating uncharted waters, learning new skills, and wearing a few different hats. In the midst of all of this, I've found myself in a position to support several families as they navigate some faith-shaking situations. It's been a humbling experience, one that's reinforced the importance of...
over 2 years ago • 2 min read
🥶A Shock to the System🧊 Have you ever braved a cold plunge? Excluding the time I baptized a student in the frigid ocean depths during a January chill, my first venture into those icy waters occurred at our staff Christmas party. Following an incredible meal, we transitioned to saunas and cold plunges, an experience that admittedly, made me a bit nervous. Initially gripped by fear, I anticipated the bone-chilling cold, especially post-sauna. Though my instinct told me to ease into the frosty...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
🤔 Does it Even Matter? 🤔 Transparency warning: Its been a few weeks full of questions. Lately as I look at the “metrics” things aren't quite “up and to the right.” My book sales are slowing down, blog traffic is a little down, my social media posts aren’t reaching as many people as they used to, and I am between seasons on my podcast so those downloads are down as well. In a season like this, its easy to ask, “Is it worth it?” Does what I am doing to serve people and point them toward a life...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
☕️ The First Cup of the Day ☕️ In the dark hours before the sun rises, my day begins with the dreaded blare of the alarm clock, rudely interrupting my sleep and signaling the start of a new day. Honestly – I'm not a fan of the alarm clock. Yet, amidst the struggle to pry myself from the warmth of the covers, there's a beacon of hope that pulls me into consciousness – the allure of that first cup of morning coffee. It's a powerful motivator, a promise of a peaceful and flavorful moment before...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
💪🏻 Crushed it! 💪🏻 Reflecting on 2023, I'm still amazed at everything I accomplished. I set some pretty ambitious goals and crushed 37 of them—writing a book, launching a podcast, speaking at a conference, sending out 150 "Thank You" notes, encouraging 365 people, and reading 52 books, to name a few. As I look ahead into 2024, my sights are set on achieving even more. While I've always been into setting goals, this year was the first where I could really sit down, count them off, and reflect...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
🙊 No Filter 🙊 We've all encountered that person who seemingly has "No filter," right? The one who effortlessly blurts out whatever's on their mind, leaving us cringing and thinking, "Read the room!" Truth be told, I've been that person way too often. The heat of the moment has caught up with me, and suddenly I realized I had said WAY TOO MUCH, and am immediately reminded of the importance "internal monologue." Filters are really important. Your car needs an oil filter for a lasting engine,...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
🎥 Ready For My Close Up! 🍕 So, no big deal, but I’m kind of a big deal. Back in the mid-eighties, Pizza Inn had a big need for their latest commercial. They needed a baby who could eat spaghetti, and after scouring the greater Charleston area, there was one perfect candidate: me. I fit the bill to a T – I was a baby, I could eat spaghetti, and, the pièce de résistance, my mom worked at the restaurant making me extremely available… and probably free. So, there I was, the star of the show,...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
☕️ BOOM! Roasted! 🔥 I love a great cup of coffee! In fact, I am drinking one right now as I write this. So much goes into the perfect cup of coffee. It's not just about beans and water; it's an intricate process from start to finish. It takes years of patience and preparation. There even comes a point where pain becomes a crucial part of the process. Picture this: our coffee beans dumped into a furnace where they will be tossed back and forth amidst intense heat. This extreme heat draws out...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read
☦ The Thrill of Hope! ☦ Can you believe it’s already December? As we step into this month, I can't help but feel the excitement of the holiday season. The shift into this time of Advent always fills me with anticipation and hope. One of the ways I experience this anticipation is through the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar. Each day, the surprise of a new miniature creation awaits. As I peel open the package, I am filled with childlike excitement and high expectations. However, I'm well aware...
almost 3 years ago • 2 min read