There is something exciting about arrivals. I remember as a kid watching out the window waiting for grandparents from a distant state to arrive for a rare visit. I remember (often) arriving at new fishing destinations, watching the water, and imagining the epic days I would spend on those streams. I remember (and still get…
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Almost five years ago I pulled into a retreat center in Colorado one month into my first sabbatical. At that point, I had been in ministry for almost 20 years without ever having a break other than family vacations, which often entailed going to see family. After completing two graduate degrees over a ten-year period,…
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Jesus was doing something amazing…He was walking on water. The disciples, watching with amazement in the secure confines of their boat, heard Jesus call Peter out of the boat. This was not an invitation to wet-wade. Water was too deep and the waves tumultuous. It was a step of faith. I (Eric) often wonder what…
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Altar kicked off its 2021 fishing retreat season with our Soul of a Man Retreat in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. The time away was amazing, as the men worked to read the waters of their life and their soul in a deep way, through meaningful time of personal reflection, laughter, fellowship and amazing food.…
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Just over a year ago when we were sent home to work remotely, when stores and restaurants began to close, and we were forced to stay home, I remember sitting on my back patio with excitement and almost a child-like giddiness thinking “I prayed for this!” To be clear, I did not pray for a…
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That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies. —1 Cor 15:36 It is the Easter season and the Christian faith is centered on this one historical, beautiful event that changed the course of human history. From the very beginning of time, God ordained this day in order to save His followers…
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As you consider the paths of your life, with all the awareness and perspectives this past year has offered through its interruptions to life’s rhythms, let me ask you two questions.
When gratitude becomes a regular practice in our lives, we begin living differently. We begin seeing things in our normal, ordinary days differently. We become more aware of God and his presence. Our whole disposition becomes lighter as we journey through our days.
I have seen it countless times on retreats, fishing trips, vacations, or moments of quiet solitude and reflection. I call it a return to joy. Perhaps you can relate to this scenario.
Simply put, to NOT look back and understand the roads you have traveled is to NOT know who you are and where you are going…Our passion is to create new stories in the lives of people helping them flourish with God (faith), themselves (soul), and their most valued relationships.
