Category: Life Lessons
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In This Skin
After twenty five years, you’d think I’d finally be comfortable in this skin…you’d think. And I am comfortable in this skin. Most days. Somedays. At least on good days. Most of the time. The older I get. The less I worry about the superficial things. But there are some things, I still can’t manage to…
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Lessons from My Father
In honour of Father’s Day, I want to throw something out there: Dear dads, you are important. You matter to us. And you are needed. I think fatherhood is one of the coolest roles in the world and that dads really do matter to their kids, even though we as kids don’t always realize it.…
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Trade Offs + Transitions
Without a doubt, I am blessed. My life has been filled with great people and great opportunities. I can’t stress that enough. But it has not come without sacrifice. Time away from family. Constant goodbyes. Financial instability. Sacrifice. The truth about sacrifice though is that more often than not, in our sacrifices we are trading…
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Seasons [Youth Prayer Stations]
Seasons: Youth Prayer Stations Compiled and Edited by Chris Bowman & Christina Valenti Seasons are important. They provide a sense of rhythm and journey. Here in Cambodia the seasons are subtle, but still distinct. Maybe you come from a part of the world, like me, that has four distinct seasons. Winter. Spring. Summer. Autumn. Each…
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A Note to a Younger Self
Hey younger self, First off, when did this Chris get so old? And when did you get to be so young? Not that it matters all that much. People still think this Chris looks about the same age as you, younger Chris. This is a good thing they say. That’s cool with me. Plus, all…
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Caps/Delete/Tab: How What We Say Matters
Over the past four weeks in Solar [middle school youth group], we’ve been talking about the power of words. Have you ever been hurt by a put down? Have you ever put someone else down? As humans we can be hurt by words and we can hurt others with words. In the wise words of…
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Voices in the Dark
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1v35 God called Samuel. Samuel replied, thinking it was Eli. Eli assured Samuel he had not called him and that he should go back to bed. God called…
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The Truth About Being Single
I’m 24 and have never been in a relationship. Shocking, right? I don’t think so. My fellow twenty-somethings sympathize. My married twenty-somethings pat me on the back and tell me she’s out there – somewhere. My never-been-single-in-their-life friends just don’t get it. And well – they probably never will. It doesn’t bother me. Well, most…
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God Can Heal Our Broken Potatoes [Hearts]
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 On Thursday night we asked our middle schoolers, what’s the hardest thing someone could ask you to do. Here are some of their answers: Walk in a pool of custard. (I agree). Eat something fermented. Read for a long period of time. Kill someone…