Gap

When traveling, they say to "mind the gap". Why is this?

Is there a real danger in slipping between the cracks, or do we just like to take precautionary measures? What gap are we really afraid to fall through? I think the most dangerous gap is the amount of time between setbacks and comebacks that we let become a place holder. That space where we choose bitterness over betterment. 

If we are to fear falling in between something, that's what I think we should fear. And instead of taking cautious steps we can move through with a steady gait knowing that the one we are following also filled the gap that separated us. He found us. 

Click here for the song.

Freed

Love is not interested in holding people captive as a prisoner.

Whatever the opposite of bondage, ball and chain, slavery and indebtedness is... that's what God wants for you. He wants it so badly for you that he has gone out of his way to make sure you have the freedom to choose. Truly choose - in your heart. 

No one can take away a man's decision that he makes in his heart. And no prison can hold someone hostage for something that cannot be stolen from someone.

Love is interested in letting you pick your own path. We don't even have the power to love something for someone. I believe that even though God has that power, he chooses not to use it. He really really wants you to be free and to be freed.

Click here for the song.

Quarter

They tell you to give two cents when you’ve got it to give. 

I say, “here’s my quarter.” My quarter mark of a quarter century of being on this earth! My quarter of advice to you. I’m sure once I’m older and wiser, I’ll be able to slim it down to two cents. But for now, here’s my quarter. 

5 principles "I wish I knew when I was 25" - what people my senior have told me they regret not learning earlier in life:

1. Not forgiving is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. 

2. You can learn things you don't like from people you don't like. 

3. Mistakes are an experience with some emotion attached; they are necessary and temporary. 

4. Influence is a sacred currency; the only way to increase it is to give it away via edification. 

5. Love is a choice, and so is falling in or out of love. 

5 lessons I learned in the darkroom - of film and behind blackout curtains

1. The process of development requires agitation. 

2. Who you are when only you are watching is who you are. 

3. What you harbor and carry around with you on the inside has the potential to make you sick or make you healthy. 

4. Let go of everything you can't change, you'll need all your energy to focus on what you can change. 

5. How you respond when you don't get what you want is a snapshot of your character. 

5 resources that have changed my life - they have the potential to change yours, too:

1. The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson (book series)

2. The Shack by William Paul Young (book, movie and back story)

3. Personality plus, Myers Briggs, enneagram (book, test, descriptions and examples)

4. The research of Dr. Forrest Tennant (videos and websites)

5. Switch On Your Brain by Caroline Leaf (book) 

5 people who are shaping who I am becoming - my life is reflected and defined in theirs

1. My Mom & Dad

2. My grandparents 

3. Andrews family

3. Nancy Dornan 

4. Joel & Becky Hunter

5 dreams for the next 25 years - dreams that will become real memories 

1. Travel at will - some of the places I will go are The Galápagos Islands, Alaska, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Argentina, Colombia, Canada, Australia, and Hawaii. 

2. Build my dream house (and proceed to live in it!)

3. Write and record music - I have songs to arrange and lives to bless. 

4. Ride horses frequently - this is already a part of my travel world, everywhere I go for a vacation I ride horses. 

5. Invest time with the ones I love doing the things we love - time keeps going and you can't get it back. You can lose money and make it back again, but you'll never get that time back. 

Click here for the song.