The Intentional Life

 Christmas is kind of a big deal. Even for those who do not celebrate Christ's birth, Christmas is kind of a big deal. Gifts and giving is a huge part of this holiday. And, though I seek to keep Christ at the center, I too enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit of gift giving. But how much more fun, like a cherry on top, would be giving gifts that give not only to your recipient, but to others as well? Several years back I was introduced to a few different companies that were using their profits to aid others, whether it was freeing women and children from the sex-trade, giving poverty-stricken families sustainable jobs, or giving education to young girls who did not have access before.  I loved the idea of, when giving a gift, it was like giving it twice. So, I compiled a short list (there are so many more!) or different companies who are using their profits for the betterment of souls and communities.  The ones listed below are all ones I have eit...

Grow where you are planted. Godliness with contentment is great gain. The art of contentment is being satisfied with what you have. For quite some time I have struggled with trying to find the balance with being content right where I have been placed... And being OK with the drive to not just stay where I have been placed. How do you balance contentment with striving for dreams?  How do you accept that the grass is green on your side of the fence but know that the grass on the other side may be where you are to end up? How do you balance striving for dreams and resting in the journey to getting there? We live in a fast-paced society. That isn't news to anyone.  We want things to happen now, it's hard to breath easy in the wait. But sometimes dreams that have laid dormant, it seems, in our hearts, are being worked behind the scenes and it can be years before they are realized. How do you balance resting with the working? Because dreams do take work, they do...

I don't know too many people personally that have gone to war for me. Although I do have some family members who have served in the armed forces. Cousins. Uncles. Grandpa. My dad. I think that is that one that strikes me the most.  Even though my dad didn't know me yet as he signed up to go fight a war. To leave family and security behind. To trade it for nightmarish reminders and medical affliction that still plague him today. I don't know all the reasons behind why he signed up.  But I believe he was wanting to see freedom for others who did not have it.  Freedom that he enjoyed here in America. He went, along with many, many others, to fight a controversial war. I don't know many details.  As one could guess, my dad doesn't share too many of the stories of his time oversees in uniform.  But that's OK.  I've seen him suffer physically over the last 30+ years to know that all things were not pleasant. My dad was expose...

It's getting close to that time of year. Though I don't do a lot of shopping until after Thanksgiving, I do keep my eye out for deals and certain gifts.  I did a post this morning on Facebook about a couple different gifts that give back when ever you purchase, so thought I would elaborate here on a certain one. Coffee. There are quite a few people out there who like it, so I hear.... And what a better way to give a coffee gift than with coffee that gives to more than just the receiver!? Below I have listed 3 different coffee companies, that when you purchase from them, proceeds benefit missions, orphans, and those in poverty.  And BONUS: they all ship to you AND they all taste great (yes, I've tried them all) Click the name of each company to be taken to their site. Deaf Can Coffee From their site: Deaf Can! Coffee exists to affirm young people in their identity as a Deaf person and as someone made in the image of God. Success is defined as young men...

I love October. It is my favorite month out of the year. The colors, the smells, the sounds. All of it. My favorite. This October did not disappoint. After a September of barely holding on, we had a few slow evening together at home to help me feel grounded.  That being said, it was also jam packed with friends, celebrations, and all around being joyful about life. It wasn't without bumps, don't get me wrong. But those bumps and valleys make the mountaintops and smooth road even more glorious when they finally appear. Could we really appreciate those highest highs if there wasn't a low to compare it to? I'm still without my Canon Camera *sniff* so my Motorola phone cam had to capture it all. A bit fuzzy at times, but it still captured the memory. Thanks for walking down the lane with me. The worship band that Paul is a part of was asked to play at an outdoor venue at the beginning of October. Rain ended up blowing in shortly before it started, but the...