Category Archives: Life

Life

A Thousand Words

30 Comments

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook

When reflecting on our lives we recognize both moments of good and bad, both moments of strength and weakness, and both moments of triumph and defeat. While all of our lives are a mixture of these things, why does it seem like some are more evident in our minds? We don’t praise our strengths, but instead pick apart our weaknesses. We don’t glory in our victories, rather sulk in our defeats. We feel the good in the moment, but allow the bad to linger in constant torment. Even in our greatest moments of optimism, we can’t seem to entirely let go because as soon as we seem to forget, something happens to bring it all rushing back.

I believe scars remind us the past is real, but without them it becomes easy to forget how far we’ve come. In them are painted the stories of the hurt we’ve experienced, but even more than that, they represent the hope that we can overcome. If every tomorrow is truly better than today, we can know that even though there will be bumps in the road, the future is still bright.

Therefore, our greatest testimony does not lie in our successes, but in the failures we refused to let keep us down. Oftentimes our lives are the pictures of grace that say far more than we ever could. While each individually unique, they all hold the power to impact, move, and change those after us. What we feel was our greatest mistake is really nothing but His greatest glory.

Life, Relationships

Footprints on the Moon

49 Comments

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook

We all have dreams and aspirations for ourselves. Since we were little we have imagined how our lives would turn out. We planned where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do, and even the houses we wanted to live in. Nothing was ever too big for us and nothing too far out of reach. When we were young our world was not bound, but rather filled with endless opportunities to get where we wanted to go. As we got older though, we realized even more the reality of those dreams. To some they became all but a distance memory and the thought of attaining those “big things” no longer seemed possible. However, for others, their world only got bigger, never losing sight of the dreams for their lives.

I have found though, that people don’t like to see you succeed. No matter what you do there always seems to be that person in the background telling you how you won’t make it. Slowly but surely peoples negativity has a way of getting inside your head. It’s like a plague that eats away your ambition until you’re not so sure you can keep up the fight. You run the race, but loose speed.

Tell me why we let ourselves get to this point? When did we ever get anywhere by listening to what other people had to say about us? To me nothing is ever too big and nothing is ever unattainable. Our dreams are all we have sometimes and without them we lose sight of our purpose. So next time someone tells you that your dreams are too big, just remember how small theirs are and never give up in pursing everything you’ve always wanted to do.

In Memory of Cartier White:
Cartier White was a guy unlike most you will meet. Someone that was never afraid to dream big. He had this unrelenting passion that captured everyone around him. He always encouraged me in the things I wanted to do, even when people around me sometimes thought those things were too farfetched. I loved him for his heart to go after the things he wanted, but most importantly that he never let people’s opinions stop him from chasing his dreams. So, I wanted to dedicate this post to him. Even though he is no longer with us, I will never forget his constant friendship of love and support or his belief in me that meant more then he will ever know.

Life

Yes, No, Maybe So?

43 Comments

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook

I wonder how much easier it would be if we considered all the hardships we face a battle we have to win? I guess probably not much, because when we are in bondage to something, nothing seems like it can make it any better. The physical weight of what we carry is totally and utterly unsurpassable, or at least in the moment it feels like there is no way out. The hopelessness I have found can be so great that many people give up trying.

I feel like addictions have generally been stigmatized as being a negative thing.  When you think “addict” I’m sure the first thing that pops in your mind is of course the strung out drug enthusiast attending rehab. Oh then there’s the people that watch porn, and don’t forget the people that smoke. I could continue but I think you get the point. However, not all addictions are so blatantly obvious nor all of them bad.

I believe there are all things we struggle with in our lives, because face it, we were born into a compromised world. I think half the battle is recognizing the bondage we are stuck in and the other half comes in creating an atmosphere to overcome.  It’s about a good plan, a system of support, and determination to press forward even after you’ve messed up. Ultimately, we are slaves to the things we can’t say no to. That becomes a scary thought for the people like me that value control so much. However, once you experience the first time of walking away, saying no starts becoming a piece of cake. It then is just about learning the good things you can instead say “yes” too.

This is a cool song that fits really well with what we’re talking about.