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~ Rejecting the gods of our culture since 1998.

cultural atheist

Monthly Archives: August 2016

Becoming Other

30 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration, Observations, Spirituality

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compassion, empathy, Love, pity, tears, vulnerable

I came across this the other day and it just grabbed my heart.

“Compassion means to become close to the one who suffers. But we can come close to another person only when we are willing to become vulnerable ourselves. A compassionate person says: ‘I am your brother; I am your sister; I am human, fragile, and mortal, just like you. I am not scandalized by your tears, nor afraid of your pain. I too have wept. I too have felt pain.’ We can be with the other only when the other ceases to be other and becomes like us.

This, perhaps, is the main reason that we sometimes find it easier to show pity without compassion. The suffering person calls us to become aware of our own suffering. How can I respond to someone’s loneliness unless I am in touch with my own experience of loneliness? How can I be close to handicapped people when I refuse to acknowledge my own handicaps? How can I be with the poor when I am unwilling to confess my own poverty?” – Henri Nouwen

giphy

 

Wounds Kissed

28 Sunday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Observations

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calm, disasters, Love, Wounds

I stumbled across this from a friend. I hope there is someone in your life like this.

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Let God Lead

27 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Uncategorized

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Faith, Fear, God, trust

Great post! Are you letting God or your fears lead you?

 

The mountain goat feels perfectly at home on the precipice. He knows not fear. The heights are his friend, his defense against predators. There’s no need to fear heights. Abandon the lowlands, and dare to scale the heights. Don’t fear the plan and destiny God has for you. Leave behind your “security.” Since predators prowl […]

via Conquering fears — Mustard Seed Budget

Raising the Bar – Beauty Beyond Bones

26 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Uncategorized

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Faith, God, gospel, grace, Jesus, Rest, salvation

Another out the park post from Beauty Beyond Bones.

If there’s on Olympic event that is simultaneously the most mesmerizing, and yet the most head-scrating thing ever, it’s…pole vaulting. No, not rhythmic gymnastics. Although, that’s a close second. Pole vaulting. I mean, I’d like to meet the guy who invented that event! Like, Okay, I’m going to willing catapult my body through the air, over a ridiculously high […]

via Raising the Bar — BeautyBeyondBones

A Living God

25 Thursday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Observations, Spirituality

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emergency, God, grandson, Jesus Christ, life, prayer

I was going through old pictures and thinking about my grandson. This is the little guy when he was a baby.

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When he was born, we were still living in Yellowknife, and our daughter was staying with us. Early one morning, we awoke to a terrible scream as my daughter shouted for my wife. She brought baby into our room and he was a sickly grey and his breathing was very shallow and erratic. This is a baby who was always active and bright. I still get bad flashbacks to that moment.

We called an ambulance and baby was rushed to the hospital. The outlook was bleak. The doctor was saying that he probably had brain damage and may not recover. They were planning on flying him down to Edmonton for further assessments.

While he was in emergency, I drifted in and out of the area. I sat in the waiting room and prayed my heart out. I put out a prayer request to everyone. I even offered God my own salvation if he would bring our grandson back to us. (I don’t think God does that kind of deal making – how can I bargain with something He has freely given to me?)

The doctors/nurses had done everything and baby was just lying on the table (one of those baby tables with the heat lamp). His eyes would flutter open and closed unresponsively and his arms and legs were limp. We weren’t sure if the lights inside his head were still on. With all the commotion he would normally be awake, being fussy or even crying. 

As I stood beside the table, I took his hand and put my hand on his head. Silently, I prayed  a simple and short prayer – I cried out to God by his covenant name, I claimed his promises and I prayed that in the name of Jesus that our grandson would be healed. My daughter came alongside me and my wife asked me to pray again. I repeated my prayer aloud.

Within about two seconds of my prayer his eyes popped open; they were focused and alert! He immediately made his usual noises and within the hour he was smiling, moving his arms and legs and yes even giving some good wails.

Four years later, our grandson is full of life, mischievous, and sharp as a tack. It’s like we never went through that terrible day.

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One time Jesus was being harassed by a group of people who denied the power of God. In his response, he said of our Heavenly Father, “He is not the God of the dead but of the living.” I have seen this God of the living in my life and the lives of others but never so profoundly as the day he showed up to bring my grandson back to life.

How has He showed up in your life?

Long Term Marriage

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Observations

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Faithful, Hard work, marriage

If you want to have a healthy marriage, take these short points to heart and live them.

 

In a world where divorce rates are over 50%, coming from parents who have been married long term has taught me some things.

via How Kids From Long Term Marriages Love Differently — 3375F

It’s Time

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Inspiration

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being seen, Brené Brown, God, real, vulnerability

The other day, a friend shared this Brené Brown quote:

“I think midlife is when (God) gently places (His) hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:

person-woman-smartphone-calling

‘I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go.

Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever.

Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.'” -Brené Brown

While I think she’s right on, I’m not sure if God is only waiting for mid-life. I’m positive God is whispering in your and my ear right now. Isn’t now a good time to start being real?

Don’t Fit

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Observations

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healthy, new, recovery, relationships, toxic

 

I’ve been receiving these little snippets on Facebook and they really challenge and empower me.

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I discovered this author, Shannon Thomas, through a friend. Her book is available on Amazon – the Kindle version releases on August 30 and I’ve pre-ordered it. As I haven’t read it, I can’t give it a whole-hearted endorsement but from the little bits she’s shared, I’m super intrigued.

What about you? Are you caught between an old life and a new life?

Advice for Triathlons and Life

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Observations

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anxiety, calm, panic, stress, triathlon

This is a really good observation and relevant for me – I just competed in a triathlon and the next few days are going to be high anxiety/stress.

I had something happen to me today that has never happened to me before, I had a flat tire during a race. I have completed over 30 triathlons and 15 bike races and events, and never had a flat during the race or event. I have had flats during training, before the race or event, […]

via Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast — Robinson’s Strength and Endurance Coaching

BeautyBeyondBones – A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

20 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by braddahr in Observations, Spirituality

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Faith, healing, mental health, physical health, recovery

Here’s another powerful post by BeautyBeyondBones that includes a new video post. The the time, it’s worth it.

 

Well guys, I officially cannot believe I’m doing this. Seriously. I’m sitting here thinking about it, and I’m like… Yep. That pretty much sums it up. In case you missed the title, I’m sharing a photo with you from my past. When I was in the throes. The video says it all…why I haven’t previously shared […]

via Sharing a Photo of my Past — BeautyBeyondBones

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