Posted in Lifestyle

Running Toward Faith When the World Falls Apart

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I’m not entirely sure if I’ve shared this before—but even if I have, it feels deeply important to say again. This has been sitting on my heart, especially now.

Things in the U.S. feel incredibly tense. We’re standing on shaky ground—politically, spiritually, economically. As I’ve been slowly regaining my faith, I’m realizing something I didn’t expect: faith isn’t just something you lean on when things are easy. It’s what you run toward when the world feels like it’s falling apart.

And honestly? That’s not always easy. It’s hard to find a sense of community when everyone seems so divided. It’s heartbreaking to see rights being taken away, people being pushed out of the country, and basic human needs like food and housing being ignored while everything else burns. Other countries are working to fix these problems. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., it feels like we’re watching things crumble in slow motion.

As someone living paycheck to paycheck, I’m scared. I know I’m not alone in that. But what I do believe is that this is the moment we need each other the most—not in uniformity, but in unity. We need to come together as one nation, no matter the language we speak, the way we look, or who we pray to. That’s the only way forward. And I guess this post is my small way of holding onto that hope.

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with something that I think a lot of people—especially those raised in the church—might understand. It feels like being a Christian has turned into a list of rejections: don’t do this, don’t go there, don’t explore that. It’s like faith is being defined more by what you’re against than what you’re for.

This clarity struck me during a recent conversation. I shared with someone about prioritizing my mental and physical health through yoga, Pilates, and meditation. These practices have provided me with balance, calm, and a deeper connection to God that I had been missing for a long time.

And then they hit me with this: “That’s not very Christian.”

It honestly hurt.

Not because I was being challenged——faith should ultimately expand us—but because it made me wonder: When did health, wholeness, and self-awareness become un-Christian? When did it become wrong to care for our minds and bodies in a way that aligns with peace, discipline, and intention?

Here’s what’s wild: in my experience, diving into these practices didn’t pull me away from Jesus—it brought me closer.

The more I explored meditation through Buddhism and Taoism, the clearer His teachings became. His messages of stillness, surrender, forgiveness, and divine connection unveiled themselves in ways I hadn’t fully understood before. It was as if He had been conveying these truths all along, but I needed a different perspective to truly grasp them.

Maybe He wasn’t warning us against stillness, awareness, or the breath—but against pride, stubbornness, and spiritual arrogance. Maybe Jesus wasn’t afraid of different languages of wisdom—He just wanted us to see the truth when it came, even if it looked unfamiliar.

I’ve come to believe that prayer is meditation, especially when you do it long enough to quiet your own voice and listen. It’s in those silent spaces where I’ve felt God most intimately. Where I’ve experienced grace not just as a word, but as a breath. A rhythm. A mercy that lives in my very bones.

Being a Christian isn’t about shunning the tools that facilitate our healing. It is about rejecting whatever distances us from love, humility, and truth. If yoga or meditation helps you connect with God in a more open, honest, and whole manner, then perhaps the concern lies not in the practice itself but in the pride that insists God can only operate in one way.

I’m still learning. Still unlearning, too.

But I know this: my walk with Christ is richer because I dared to ask, to explore, to listen. And I believe Jesus isn’t afraid of our questions—He welcomes them.

So if you take anything from this, let it be this: choose love over fear, compassion over judgment, and curiosity over condemnation. We’re all doing our best to navigate a world that often feels heavy and uncertain, and we shouldn’t have to do it alone. Let your faith be a source of light—an instrument of kindness that softens our hearts rather than hardens them.

Better days are within reach, and it all starts with us. It’s about how we treat one another, how we listen, and how we show up in each other’s lives. 

So, let’s choose to share love instead of hate. Let’s become the reason someone believes in goodness and hope. 

Above all, let’s keep the faith—not only in religion but also in each other.

Posted in Lifestyle

Word of the Year 2024

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I have chosen a single word to be the foundation of my daily decisions for the upcoming year. I like setting resolutions for each upcoming year, but sometimes, they make me feel like passing or failing. Choosing a word of the year feels like having a supportive friend. My chosen word will support me through thick and thin and help me stay focused, even if my world turns upside down. By focusing on this word, I will gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and find new avenues for personal growth, which can be more potent than any New Year’s goal or resolution. This practice is commonly called choosing a “Word of the Year.”

By choosing a word that resonates with you, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and find new avenues for personal growth. For example, if you choose “abundance,” you could focus on cultivating meaningful relationships, achieving financial goals, and spending quality time with loved ones. If your word is “discipline,” you could establish a workout routine, develop a consistent evening routine, and prioritize punctuality.

The beauty of choosing a “Word of the Year” is that it stays with you throughout the year, reminding you of your intentions and goals. It serves as a supportive friend that keeps you on track, even when life gets challenging.

For me, my chosen word for 2024 is “fulfilled.” I’m letting go of my tendency to overthink and instead focus on taking bold and courageous steps towards achieving my goals. I’m determined to approach everything I do with unwavering confidence and a positive attitude that will help me overcome any obstacles that I may encounter.

To make the most of the year, I’ve developed a New Year manifesto that outlines my passions, priorities, values, and intentions in the areas that matter most to me. The idea of being fulfilled will serve as a roadmap throughout the year, reminding me of what I want to achieve and helping me stay on track. I’m excited to leap into 2024 with a sense of purpose and determination, and I can’t wait to see what the year has in store for me.

My faith: I am determined to keep my promises to God this year. I will always remind myself that He will fulfill His promises to me. As a believer, I will rely on God to provide for my needs, knowing He possesses everything and can meet my wants. By doing so, I will live a fulfilled life in Christ.

Myself: Looking ahead to the coming year, I am committed to prioritizing my well-being. I have realized that focusing on my needs and desires is essential to living a fulfilling life. By engaging in activities that ignite my spirit, bring me joy, and inspire me to connect with the world around me, I am committing to the journey of self-care and personal growth.

My relationship: I want to have a meaningful relationship; the only way to achieve that is through effective communication. My partner and I have ups and downs, but we don’t always try to communicate and work through our issues. It’s important not to bottle up our feelings and to admit our faults when we’re wrong. We need to be clear on what’s missing in the relationship and discuss what we can do to improve things.

I have chosen a word for myself by asking a series of questions like what I want to achieve in the next year, what skills or characteristics can assist me in accomplishing my goals or lead a better life, what I need or desire more in my life, how I want to feel, and what my core values are.

It’s your turn now! I would be delighted to know your Word of the Year and why you chose it. Please share it with our community by leaving a comment below. Speaking your word into the Universe is a beautiful way to set things in motion.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Posted in Lifestyle

Back To the Basics Of Prayer

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I don’t always post about my belief, but I have been part of a bible study group for a few months. I’ve slowly been trying to reconnect to my faith. 

I feel like I’m doing many things wrong, mostly praying. 

I am good at chatting with God (I’m very chatty!) but do not always seek His face appropriately. I lack in some regions of practicing prayer.

Seeking God’s face means desiring to know His character and wanting Him—His presence—more than anything He can give us.

The Christian prayer life can sometimes feel stale. I sometimes literally can’t pray properly. I feel like my mind drifts when trying to focus on prayer. If you’re like me, it doesn’t mean your faith is weak, or you’re doing something wrong—so don’t get hung up on it! It just happens.

I’m not here to tell you that you how to pray and I won’t tell you that “God only helps those who help themselves” (I’ve heard that and YIKES)

Using the ACTS methods of prayer can help you remember four critical topics for your prayers. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. It is based on the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6) and has existed for at least a hundred years.

Let’s start at the beginning with Adoration.

Adoration (adoring HIM)

We must have deep love and respect for our God. We are to praise God for who he is. When praying, we must stay focused on HIM and tell him how much we love him. 

Examples of this are in the Bible.

Matthew 6:9, Psalm 84:1-2, 1 Chronicles 29:11

Confession (Repent)

Most Christians don’t do this, but we must confess our sins and ask forgiveness. Confessions help to renew your mind and your heart. 

Examples of this are in the Bible. 

Matthew 6:12, Jeremiah 10:23-24

Thanksgiving (Thank HIM.)

Thank God for all the beautiful things He has done. This is giving thanks in all circumstances and to strangers by being kind. We are living and breathing, and it’s all due to God.

Examples of this are in the Bible. 

1 Chronicles 16:8-9, Psalm 100:4

Supplication

Bring requests for yourself and others to God and pray that God will be in all things. We are asking HIM for what we need. Sometimes we are so blinded by what we want that we miss what we need. 

Examples of this are in the Bible. 

Hewbrews 13:18, 1 Peter 5:7,

Suppliction makes me think of that song from The Princess and the Frog.

And they all knew what they wanted
What they wanted me to do
I told 'em what they needed
Just like I be telling you
You got to dig a little deeper
Find out who you are
You got to dig a little deeper
It really ain't that far

Unfortunately, we often spell our prayer life something like SCAT because we start with supplication and spend little time, if any, on Adoration, confession, and thanksgiving.

ACTS is a helpful acronym to focus your prayers, but there are many ways to pray.

I hope you find inspiration to help you go deeper in your prayer time with the Lord.