Eight months ago, I took a huge risk, completely stepping out of my comfort zone, and decided to try something completely new. I was terrified because in the process, I would be giving up a large income that had offered us a comfortable living cushion. I would also be leaving behind everything I had worked
continue reading…

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”- Genesis 12:1 Abraham and Sarah’s story absolutely fascinates me. Here is a couple quietly making their way in the world. Sarah, filled with grief over her inability to have a child, continues
continue reading…

…devout thanksgiving…penitent confession of our sins, and humble supplication for pardon, through the merits of our Savior. Thanksgiving Proclamation (1778) …to cause virtue and true religion to flourish, to give to all nations amity, peace and concord, and to fill the world with his glory. Thanksgiving Proclamation (1784) These United States The Declaration of Independence (1776) announced the birth of a new confederation, the United States of America. But its first constitution, The Articles of Confederation, wasn’t ratified until March 1, 1781, five years into the seven-year War for Independence. The confederation had neither a chief executive
continue reading…

We live in a world that struggles with faith. It is a world of false gods, constantly shifting values, and self-centered decisions. Choosing to stay true to your beliefs can be difficult even for the most faithful; it can be even more complicated when your choices pull you even further away from mainstream values. Living the life of a faithful servant of God can be tough; living that life of faith while choosing to be as off-the-grid as possible can be downright lonely at times. Understanding the beauty and strength of the faith we have
continue reading…

“Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.”             — General George Patton I am not generally known as being a risk taker. I like control, like the ability to know what is coming and to prepare for every potential obstacle. I do not participate in extreme sports, hesitate even when it comes
continue reading…

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.”     — Genesis 12:4 Can you fathom holding onto a promise for twenty-four years? Surely, you would catch yourself wondering if the promise would ever come true or if it
continue reading…

“The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”             -Galatians 5:22 There are few things more precious than listening to hundreds of children sing about the fruit of the spirit; yet, that is exactly what I was able to experience a few weeks ago during our church’s
continue reading…

Take what you want, says God to man. Take it, and pay for it.  –Spanish proverb I’ve found this proverb a useful antidote to two common illusions that I encounter in myself and in other people. First, there’s the assumption that we don’t have real choices, that we can’t really take what we want, that
continue reading…

Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “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
continue reading…

The world would be better off if people tried to become better. And people would become better if they stopped trying to be better off… –Peter Maurin, The Case For Utopia We live in a society that constantly urges us to get ahead, to better ourselves, to become better off—better off than we are now,
continue reading…