Behind Breaking the Surface
Inviting God into the Shallows and the Depths of Your Mind
Awhile back, I had a conversation with a friend where we debated whether or not it was easier for me to have faith in God because of the quirky way my brain works—that is, I tend to see God’s hand at work often throughout the day, whereas my friend does not. Our conversation made me realize that not everyone’s brain connects spiritual things together the way mine does. This was news to me—and it made we wonder what part of this “gift” of faith was inborn and what was learned.
The more I mentally tossed around this topic, the more I realized how important “touchstones” are to my spiritual life…the shell I picked up right after I gave my life to Christ, the tattoo I have of a purple wildflower to remind me of how God sees me, the stones I keep in my guest room that are engraved with words of encouragement for visitors take home with them as reminders of what God revealed to them during their time at my home in Phoenix. When I talked to other Christians about how I use spiritual touchstones in my life, and how they help me set my mind more consistently on “things above,” they wanted to know more about how to incorporate this idea into their own spiritual journeys. Hence, the first glimmer of an idea for Breaking the Surface was born.
Writing Wonderlust
A Spiritual Travelogue for the Adventurous Soul
God has always seemed to write my life in parables. Even as a kid, long before I knew the Author of all my journeys in the way I do today, I was aware there was a larger story behind my everyday adventures, a lesson that could be learned — and taught — a hint of wonder hiding just beneath the surface of the seemingly ordinary.
As I grew older, and had the opportunity to travel to places like Morocco, Egypt, Italy, Cambodia, and the jungles of the Amazon, I noticed that these parables became more profound and personal whenever I was on the road. Since travel, particularly international travel, pulls me out of my comfort zone and my usual routine, I realized it was a time when I was uniquely alert and aware, dependent on God and ready to learn.