Category Archives: Journey to Jireh

“World-class begins where your comfort zone ends.” I recently heard this phrase in The 5 AM Club, an audiobook I started listening to on long drives. It struck me immediately when I heard it and I had to rewind the track twice to relisten, for it hit home for situations I was currently navigating inContinue reading “World-class begins where your comfort zone ends”

I recently listened to a talk from Father Mike Schmitz where he talked about receptivity to faith. He first referred to Mary and how willing she was to move when God said to do so but also noted that she was willing to yield. She was receptive of whatever the ask was from God. HeContinue reading “Dancing with Jesus”

“I urge you now to keep up your courage; not one of you will be lost, only the ship.” – Acts 27:22 Courage. That word keeps reappearing and coming top of mind. I’ve heard it at work, amongst friends, and it even appeared in a fortune cookie. When I traveled to Mozambique in the Fall,Continue reading “Keeping Courage”

“Indeed, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are all more necessary, and those parts of the body that we consider less honorable we surround with greater honor, and our less presentable parts are treated with greater propriety, whereas our more presentable parts do not need this. But God has so constructedContinue reading “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it”

The loss of life doesn’t get easier. Grief has no bounds. Some days, we reflect on the people watching down over us with a smile. Other days, it melts us down, destroys us internally. In my room stands a small photo of a girl who knew joy. Who was bubbly, didn’t take life too seriouslyContinue reading “A girl who knew joy”

“By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established; And by knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and pleasing possession.” – Proverbs 24:3-4 I’ve read four pages of Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors tonight. Just four, and I am sitting here bawling. The way she describes her home asContinue reading “A home and its function”

What do I say about a year that beat me down and simultaneously gave me life? It’s hard to explain the freedom felt from seeing God’s world contrasted with the confinement of loneliness. Of three good people lost and cancer and unrest and injustice, and yet standing under waterfalls and feeling the trunk of elephantsContinue reading “2024 – A milestone year of growth”

It would be easy to look at my life from the outside or my highlights on social media and say, “Wow, another trip. Her life looks so fun.” I’ve heard it from numerous people and while I have been blessed, so have you. The trip I get to take comes at the expense of notContinue reading “The thief of joy: comparison”

What if we filled our churches the way we filled our stadiums?  Imagine hollering and shouting to worship our God the way we do our favorite sports team.  Imagine eagerly throwing our money in the basket the way we quickly place our next sports bet. Imagine high fiving our neighbors when they overcome sin theContinue reading “Standing Room Only”

We all have those days. Days when we feel about an inch tall. Days when we have sacrificed countless hours of time or mental capacity for a cause or a person that goes unrecognized. Where others tout our work product or ideas to get the glory while we sit on the sideline. When you areContinue reading “The days no one sees you”

Theology of the bodyWord and tradition agreePraises our unique valueAnd human dignity. Subconscious of manAffirmed by mankind Turns beauty to disgustCreates flaws we can’t unfind. Physical and mentalA sickness slowly destroysRemoves us from the heart of lifeThat God created to be enjoyed.  A body wearing downMore rapidly it seems Wearing down until it breaksIts functions getting lean.Continue reading “Sickness of the Body”

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save theContinue reading “Nothing but noise: seeking God when life is loud”

Outsider. Over and over again in my life I’ve felt like the one on the outside. The odd one out. The one that lives furthest away, who is not in a relationship, who is too emotional. Outsider. When I think of Jesus and his disciples, I imagine they were outsiders too. Jesus literally strived toContinue reading “Life on the Outside”

Growth. Sometimes it’s hard to see how much you’ve grown when you are in the middle of arduous, monotonous days. You push through relentlessly to just “get to the other side” of the latest mountain God asked you to climb. You focus on getting through each day. Eyes ahead. Grind. Sometimes, we must slow downContinue reading “Growing Pains”

For the last few months, I have been ridden with anxiety. I didn’t think it could be possible to have more medical issues but, nevertheless, I had ~25 doctor’s appointments this year. After seeing my primary doctor for my yearly physical in late October, I explained my extreme fatigue, other symptoms and begged her toContinue reading “Navigating a potential cancer diagnosis”