The Contemplative Christian

The Indiana Jones Effect: How to Work With Rather Than Against God’s Plan

The Raiders Minimization My husband and I both enjoy watching The Big Bang Theory and recently rewatched the episode where Amy Farrah Fowler (Sheldon’s girlfriend) ruins Sheldon’s favorite movie. As she explains to him, in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana’s existence contributed nothing to the final outcome of the film. […]

The Indiana Jones Effect: How to Work With Rather Than Against God’s Plan Read More »

How to Summit a Colorado 14er in One Week

Thoughts

What possessed my husband and I to attempt to summit a Colorado 14er? The kids. Both my boys are athletic. Oldest (14) likes to take four mile walks at night after a day of baseball or skating with friends. Youngest (11) is a little calmer, but can keep pace pretty easily. It was no surprise

How to Summit a Colorado 14er in One Week Read More »

No One Cares About Your Fake Island! 3 Questions to Bring You Joy

Contemplative Life

If you’re human (and if you’re reading this, you probably are. If you aren’t, consider contacting me for a business opportunity!), the thoughts that run through your mind probably cause you quite a bit of unnecessary angst. What would happen if we could train our minds to focus on what truly matters? What sort of

No One Cares About Your Fake Island! 3 Questions to Bring You Joy Read More »

How to survive a basement renovation

Thoughts

I’m broke, there’s a Lego in my foot, and I really have to pee! Over the past two months and change, we renovated (rather we paid someone to renovate) our basement. 6 people, 2 cats,1 dog, 1 bathroom, 1000 square feet It was expensive. Any full basement remodel would be. But to complicate things, our

How to survive a basement renovation Read More »

3 Dang-Good Reasons to Pray

Thoughts

Recently, I’ve been making an effort to resurrect my prayer life (the past couple of years I’ve been more of a meditation/listen to God girl). Thus, I considered the reasons why I pray. The obvious?: I’ve promised a number of people I would pray for them and I do my best to keep my word. Some

3 Dang-Good Reasons to Pray Read More »

Waking up the Lions of God (Luke 10: 1- 20)

Biblical Reflections, Sermons

Note: This is very slightly modified from a sermon preached on Sunday July 6th, 2025. The focus reading was Luke 10: 1-20. The call to share your testimony with at least 10 people is from Rory Paquette and his podcast: “Wake Up the Lions”. 🙂 The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore

Waking up the Lions of God (Luke 10: 1- 20) Read More »

How to Be Grounded in God

Biblical Reflections, Contemplative Life, Sermons

Rooted Grounded–that feeling of eating slightly more than your fill at a dinner with family and friends, kicking back in a recliner, laughing about the good old days. Or perhaps walking alone with your thoughts by the ocean, your toes digging into the sand, the waves lapping up around your ankles. Being grounded is being

How to Be Grounded in God Read More »

You’ll Not Pass This Way Again: Becoming a Blended Family

Contemplative Life

Yes, becoming a blended family is challenging, but it is also beautiful. However, the key to success lies in holding space for the raw processing of emotions during the journey.

You’ll Not Pass This Way Again: Becoming a Blended Family Read More »

The Path to Full, Complete, Overflowing Joy

Contemplative Life

I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.-John 15:11 (amplified) A few friends and I were discussing what qualifies as a “good” day. One suggested that, technically, any day when things are “good” for 50.1%

The Path to Full, Complete, Overflowing Joy Read More »

woman looking at sea while sitting on beach

Ho’oponopono: Teaching Forgiveness and True Connection

Contemplative Life

Following the loss of a member of our school community, the Holy Spirit moved to open our hearts more fully to each other.

Ho’oponopono: Teaching Forgiveness and True Connection Read More »