I have a problem. Some might even call it an addiction. In college, I became hooked on adrenaline rushes. Now that I have matured some, I might say that I am addicted to new and exciting things. I love going on adventures to new places to explore, hike, climb, paddle, or learn new skills. […]
Light in the Darkness
I shivered as I stepped out into the cold night air. Part of me looked forward to running in the dark, while the other part shivered at the thought. I used to run at night all the time when I was in college, for study breaks and inspiration. That was different, though, there were street […]
Leading from Behind
A gunshot echoed across the hills as I joined the many hikers who started their trek down the trail at the start of the BLAST! Hike-a-thon. BLAST! is a 24-hour hiking fundraiser where endurance, challenge, and camaraderie join together to raise money for Discovery Ministries. I have logged many miles on this trail over the […]
Stronger than the Storm
As I donned my rain jacket and stepped out of the car, my eyes anxiously searched the darkening clouds. Pregnant with moisture, they rolled menacingly toward my hilltop, and fear creased my brow. Weathering a severe storm was not in my plan for the 24 hours I was intending to spend isolated in a hidden […]
Disordered Attachments, Reordered Hope
I gazed at the beauty and stillness of the lake that stretched into the distance in all directions. The wind rustled the leaves and made ripples in the glassy surface of the water, bright with the colors and fading light of evening. I glanced at a small paper in my hand trying to put to […]
Injury or Invitation?
Leading a trip late last year, my co-instructor and I decided to enjoy a quick dip in the river. We floated around the bend of a gravel bar, taunting the travelers on shore and encouraging them to join us in the delightfully refreshing, cool water. As we neared the end of the bend, we began […]
The Discomfort of Surrender
I spend a lot of time standing at the bottom of rock climbs with my neck craned upward and eyes squinting into the sun as I coach teens and adults in climbing techniques. The goal is always to help the climber get a little farther than he thought was possible in order to show him […]
