As this summer comes to an end, I find myself in shock. I’m in Scotland working at a Young Life camp, how did that happen? This Midwestern boy, who’s never stepped foot out of the country, stopped life in Illinois and made the move overseas. How’d I get here? What motivated me to apply for this? Why did I say “yes”? Honestly, I really don’t have a clear answer to any of those questions.
The reason for telling the story of June 15 is to paint the picture that what I was doing was way out of my comfort zone. All I know is that I said “yes”. Why? The only way I can answer this question is through my favorite story in the Gospels- Jesus walking on water and calling Peter to him. I paint the image of this story in my head often, putting myself in Peter’s place. I can clearly see a figure walking toward me on the water and, like the disciples, I’m afraid. Then, as Matthew 27 says, “Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus”. You see, the story helps me put answers to the questions I have revolving around my adventure this summer. I truly believe in applying for an internship at Cairn Brae that I was questioning Jesus, just like Peter did, saying “If it really is you, Lord, tell me to come to Scotland.” The answer I got was a simple “Come”. The Gospel of Matthew says that Peter got down out of the boat, but I believe there was so much more to this scenario. If I were Peter, I would’ve probably been thinking “Crap. He actually said “come”, I did not think that would happen.” I probably would’ve had one foot in the boat, the other one in the water seeing if I sunk or not. Then, all of a sudden, a rush of faith comes over Peter and he fully steps out. So there I am. Fully out of the boat- arriving in Edinburgh. I said yes to the simple “come” that the Lord was telling me, and I’m so glad that I said yes. This summer has provided me with memories, personal growth, and friendships that will last a lifetime. The adventure I’m on now provides proof that a life living for Christ is adventurous. Living for Christ is thrilling, not boring, and provides such a feeling of a life fully lived. Has it been hard? Yes, it has been one of the most challenging periods of my life. I’ve been pushed physically, mentally, and spiritual. There’s been moments where I’ve been overwhelmed with a longing for home. But the story of Peter walking on water always provides me comfort in these moments. Matthew 27 says, “But when he (Peter) saw the wind he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” Jesus said, “why did you doubt?” At Cairn Brae I’ve constantly found myself afraid, beginning to sink, crying out “Lord, save me!” And every time I find myself in this passage, being caught by Jesus saying “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” The comfort knowing that Jesus is walking beside me in this adventure is comforting. Sometimes I forget this and find myself sinking in doubt, but He always reassures me and picks me up again. The adventure I said “yes” to 9 months ago is coming to an end. I leave to go back to Illinois in about a week. Am I excited to get back? Of course, there’s so much to look forward to this fall. But I’m leaving Scotland with a new confidence in saying yes to the Lord’s command of “come”, and I can’t wait to see where the adventure leads me to next.
Thank you for the prayer cover this summer. For myself, for Laken, and for Cairn Brae. Blessings, BH
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Distance, to me, is measured in the FaceTime calls, the longings, the lonely nights, and the countdowns. Distance for two people in a relationship is the everyday commitment and promise to work together for the future; even when apart. It includes daily affirmation and a lot of effort. I have to give Laken a lot of credit, she loves me so well- even from 4000 miles away. An important factor in keeping our relationship strong is good conversation, staying in the word, and daily prayer. There’s a few verses that have helped me this past month, and my hope is that it can help those who are spending time away from loved ones. If not, maybe it will help some understand the situation we are in right now- and to be praying for us both. Genesis 31:49 - “And Mizpah, for he said, “The Lord watches between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight."” One of the hardest things currently is not being physically present when your significant other needs you. FaceTime and messaging is fine, but there is nothing like a hug or face to face conversation to relieve some stress. Helplessness has overcame me, feeling like I can do nothing during a struggle. This verse has comforted me knowing that God is watching both of us. It’s helped me not be able to worry as much knowing God is there- even when I can’t be. “Luke 18:1 - He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Personally, this verse is my favorite. First off- I’ve been praying furiously for Laken. The conversations I have with God helps put me in a thankful mood. I’m beyond blessed- she loves me and loves Christ even more. The prayer and scripture focus, plus good conversation, is key to not losing heart. Losing heart is super easy to do in situations of long distance- but daily prayer helps. Keeping in the word, daily prayer, and taking comfort in knowing God is watching us both are huge- but these little things have also helped me this summer: keeping a journal, sending letters, FaceTime calls, pictures of Laken drinking coffee from my favorite mug at home, receiving photos of her (that her sister, Megan, takes- she’s a photography major), talking about her with people at Cairn Brae.
Honestly, this summer apart has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I do know one thing, it is going to be so worth it. Last summer, when I spent a month apart from Laken, I fell deeper into love with her. I guess the saying, “distance makes the heart grow fonder” truly applies. I can already tell the rich conversations and quality time spent together on August 19 will be the best we have shared. Blessings, BH Hello everyone! Sorry for taking so long to write another blog post, I needed to take some time for myself. It’s been a great start of the year but with a busy schedule it has been hard to stay on top of things. Even in our hectic lives we all should take the time to focus on ourselves, but there’s nothing wrong with that! I like to think that humans are like a sponge. There is a limit to how much we can rinse on other people, before we run dry and need to soak again. That way we can associate ourselves with others and be an influence with who we surround ourselves with. Every individual has their own schedule including homework, work, financials, a social life, and other obstacles to incorporate throughout their daily lives. We put so much stress on our lives that we tend to run ourselves dry and wear ourselves too thin. I’ve missed writing down all my thoughts, so this is why I thought this post was a perfect description not only what is going on in my life, but that it is hopefully something you can also relate to. So what is the difference between a busy life and a meaningful life? Well, Shauna Niequist describes in her book "Present Over Perfect" her journey from exhaustion to peace, from isolation to connection, from hustling and multitasking to sacred presence. How challenging it will be to 'remake your life from the inside out', you are ultimately the one who makes the decision of what to live for. Connection, meaning, and peace will be your motivation as it will set your mind at ease from the idea of perfection. No one is perfect, but the one who was and is has a plan for our lives. "God hasn't invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful - as beautiful on the inside as the outside." -1 Thessalonians 4:7
Know that everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for you, even though it may not be as clear as you wish to see it. Stray away from becoming in a routine of crossing things off your "To-Do" list. That is not meaningful. We need to live each moment of our lives to the fullest. Remember to take time for yourself because you are amazing, beautiful, and wonderfully made. Make your life meaningful.
Love you all, LE 2016 Approaching December 31st the comments that I saw online reflected on how 2016 was a terrible year, and that everyone couldn’t wait for it to end. The end of the year gave Laken and I time to be thankful for all that 2016 had brought us. This year was our first full year as a couple which involved memorable trips and moments with friends and family. Overall, 2016 was a blessing and we wanted to take the time to reflect on our past year with you and create our anticipations for 2017. New and Old Faces: 2016 introduced us to many new friends. These new faces contributed to countless memories that we share from the past year. We just wanted to thank everyone who we met through softball, becoming Resident Advisors, Greek Life, hometown friends, and Young Life. The friendships we have developed and strengthened are ones we cherish, and we are looking forward to creating new memories in the upcoming year with everyone!
Faith Life Last year Laken and I studied Job and 1 Peter, started attending a new church called '309', and began this blog highlighting our relationship and our faith. All of these things have helped our growth as a couple and become better followers of God. Beginning in 2016 we wanted to completely surrender our lives over to Christ. I wanted to experience the adventure that came with living for Christ. The adventure didn’t mean traveling for me, but simply came by buying the person behind me in line coffee and getting to see the smile on their face. That is the type of adventurous life I was seeking in this past year. Leaving room for improvement is essential because I believe that someone’s faith is never perfect. Another concept I wanted to grasp better in 2016 was grace. I wanted to understand how God could love. The idea around grace is still in my head, but the experiences and conversations in 2016 have helped me better understand it. I am thankful for the growth I have seen in myself, Laken, and our relationship. 2017 is going to be a year of continued growth as we look into what it means for us to create a future that glorifies Christ in all that we do. 2017 The upcoming year is one that we are both excited and of course terrified for. Not knowing what the future holds can be a scary thing, but with baby steps and focusing on the present is all we as humans can do. God has a plan for each and every one of our lives. Laken and decided to take a day to sit down and write down some goals for how we intend to grow not only closer to God but to each other. Faith We want to see both of our faiths grow in the upcoming year. We knew right away that the most important thing for us to improve on is prayer. Taking time out of our day to have a personal conversation with God is what we both need. I want to make it my goal to pray daily for Laken. It is also our goal to pray daily together. Doing this will help strengthen us as a faithful couple. Another goal of ours is to be more involved in the Word. We want to read through several books in the Bible together, taking in God’s Word. The goal from reading it together, is that we can both apply it to our lives then hold each other accountable. The accountability coming from Laken is exactly what I want because it will help strengthen me into a man of God that she deserves. This upcoming year is going to be a year of strengthening each other in faith, and I am excited that she is the one beside me. Distance Distance is something we have experience in, but this summer is going to change our definition of it. I have accepted an internship in Scotland from June to August, which will put me away from Laken, my friends and family for a whole two months. The distance is huge compared to anything we have faced yet, but are hopeful that we will be well prepared when the time comes. Prayers are appreciated as we prepare for the distance knowing this experience will strengthen us. Other goals
We are so excited to write on our blog in 2017. We already have topics we feel so passionate about and can't wait to share our adventures with you! As always, if you any comments or questions please let us know. We love feedback! BH When you see a triangle, your first thought is obvious. It has 3 sides. I know we all learned that in Kindergarten, but it is easy to neglect the deeper significance. What is the symbolic meaning of a triangle? In reality, and mathematically, a triangle has three equal sides that stands firm against all other forces. No matter how much pressure is put on it, it is impossible to break. It’s foundations are strong. If we apply this concept in a spiritual level it has an even deeper meaning that is often overlooked. 1. FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT. Now, the holy trinity is not an easy topic to talk about. But, if we break it down the trinity has three sides, like a triangle, that form a simple image. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons address love in addition to interacting with each other. The Father works through the Son in several ways. For example, God worked through His son Jesus to perform miracles, carry out blessings, and show His love. John 14:10 “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” Another example is the Father working through the Holy Spirit which is present in God's callings and Him at work in our lives. Something to keep in mind is that these three persons are not divided as if each possessing ⅓. One is not successful without the other. It is not 1+1+1=3 BUT 1x1x1=1. Who knew so much math came with the understanding of God! Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Because we are human, it is incredibly challenging to wrap our minds around the concept of God appearing as three persons. He is ONE. So what do we do now? I encourage you to pray. It is normal for us to find it difficult to comprehend this concept, or even God. But with His guidance, we can further understand who He is. He wants us to know Him, for He loves us. In Matthew, God tells us to surrender ourselves and follow the plan He has in store for our lives. Maybe the next step in your life is to confess that to God, or if you don’t know just ask God to help you have an open mind. May we give God all the glory for He loves us dearly. He deserves our whole being. 2. HEART, SOUL, AND STRENGTH. This is another illustration of a triangle. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” What exactly does this mean? Your heart is where the love of life is possible. 1 Samuel 16:7 says “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” The heart is where all feelings are controlled, and it is the central point of the body. God is constantly looking at our heart, because this is what no one else can see. Deep and hidden things that only He can examine. The soul refers to one’s whole being as a living person. The Old Testament talks about how we must surrender our entire human life into not only loving, but following God. Finally, loving with all of our strength does not only include our physical muscle, but everything we have available. Everything we do on this earth physically and mentally reflects how we live and love for God. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who believe in him and receive eternal life.” Yet, we are still imperfect. I will admit that it is hard to live your life constantly with the mentality of loving God and giving Him all the glory. We question what He is doing in our lives. Yet, through times of struggle and pain we get to witness God’s faithfulness and our love grows deeper. We can then grow maturely towards God’s glory because everything is done according to His plan. Achieving this mentality begins with obeying His command and loving Him with all that we are because He first loved us. We are able to fulfill this with our hope in Jesus because he was God’s perfect example of how much He loves us. So we now can be eager to study God’s word, to pray, to obey, and to honor.
Laken and I are just a young couple from the Midwest who decided to name our blog “Over the Mountain.” Why you may ask? Well, we will be the first to tell you we know very little about mountains outside a few family vacation to visit them for a couple of days. The closest thing that we can compare mountains to are the large hills that run through the cornfield in our little Illinois towns (and they hardly compare). So why name a blog around the subject of mountains? Because we are drawn to them. If you walk past a classroom on our small college campus you are guaranteed to see us staring out the window, dreaming of what life is like in the mountains. The mountains, to us, are mysterious and gigantic... but we want to know more. We want to know more about these magical creations of God, and to protect and appreciate all that He offers us through the beautiful landscapes. We also believe that we are longing for the mountains because they describe our faith and view of Christ in three huge ways... 1.) God is mysterious and gigantic. God blessed me with an amazing opportunity last summer when I got to serve at Timber Wolf Lake, a Young Life camp in northern Michigan, for a month. This month blessed me with full conversations with some of the most Christ-centered people I know. One conversation stood out to me because it helped me grasp my view on Christ a little bit better. My intern Thomas (great guy, hi Thomas) asked me a simple question.. “What is your favorite aspect of nature?” I answered back after some thought, “Mountains." I had to give a reason for my answer, and then Thomas explained what my answer meant; an interesting conversation starter of his. The view I had on the mountains were similar to my view on God, he explained. The answer I had made sense to me and it opened a rich conversation. I described the mountains as mysterious and gigantic and I felt myself being drawn to them because I know the adventure that they offer me. Wait, how is God mysterious? Doesn’t He want to make himself known to us? Job 11:7 it says “Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?” God wants to be known and wants us to know Him, but wants us to come to Him through our own journey. The way we come to know Christ and the way He works in everyday life is all so mysterious to us. Everyone has their own story about how they came to know Christ; this, to me, is the best mystery of them all. Another reason I believe my description of mountains and my view on God are so relatable is because of the ADVENTURE they both offer. Today’s society often boasts that the Christian lifestyle is not fun, that it offers no adventure.. but my belief is the total opposite. I came to know Christ broken and alone, I wanted my life to be more than what I saw around me. God revealed to me that the adventure that He has planned for me is greater than I can ever imagine. Matthew 6:34 says "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious in itself." Living out each day as God’s plan for me has resulted in new journeys, new people, and a more meaningful life. 2. Our faith has highs - like the peaks of mountains "I lift my eyes up to the hills - from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heave and heart." -Pslam 121:1-2 At the peak of hikes or climbs, there are glorious views. Moments of reflection, peace, and examination hits as you take it all in. The body, mind, and soul are tired from the seemingly endless battle you went through to get to the top. This description reminds me of the path that my faith has travelled. I am tired, broken physically and spiritually, from the battle going on in my heart. But here I am enjoying the view and changing the way I look at life. What exactly can my faith find at the top of the mountain? Rest. Matthew 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." When your faith reaches a certain point, rest is needed. Rest provides us with a feeling of closeness to Him because He restores us with his gentle and humble heart. The Bible gives us a specific story when Jesus went to the mountains with Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17). Crowds have been following them after the feeding of the five thousand, waiting for the next miracle. Therefore Jesus and his disciples needed rest. At the top of the mountain they witnessed a prophetic moment when Moses and Elijah appeared. Two of Israel’s greatest heroes, deceased, standing there talking with Jesus. The beauty and power behind this moment is often experienced at the top of spiritual mountains. The top of the mountains are also used to change our faith, to strengthen it. These moments are also used to prepare us for the journey back down the mountain. We also get to experience life changing events that strengthen our relationship with Christ. Though leaving the top of the mountain is always challenging, the mountain top experiences are used to prepare us for these valleys where God’s work takes place. 3.) Between the mountains
Timber Wolf Lake has been the definition of a mountain top to me. The month I spent on this mountain enabled me to grow in my faith and prepare me for life after my mountain top. The funny thing is… at the end of the month I was scared to leave my mountain top. In the valley, between the mountains, people get caught up in the materialistic things that are soon to pass. Both Laken and I have been to the peak of our mountains, witnessed God’s glory, and gave our life to following Jesus Christ. We are feeling our hearts being pulled down between the mountains, leading a Christ-filled life and showing those wandering in the valley how great the trip to the top of the mountain is. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of age.” In the valley, we are not alone. Matthew says that Christ is “with you always, to the end of age.” Living as an example, proclaiming all that He has provided us, is where we are feeling called. The journey, an adventure that we are trusting in His hands, is one we are excited to live out (and blog out too!). The most comforting thing is, we know we are not alone because we have each other… and Him. We understand that our articles may not appeal to everyone, or that some may disagree with what we are talking about. We love feedback, we want to hear your opinions, we thank you. God bless you. -BH |
LE & BHWelcome to our adventure in life. Archives
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