Real progress in any part of life will always come at a cost. If you want to see substantial progress, you will need to put in the work to get there. Results aren't just going to come naturally without some effort placed. If you don't put in the work, the best you can hope for is…

Reflection is a spiritual practice I regularly engage in where I think through various things and situations in life. As I think on these things, I believe God provides me with ongoing understanding in these various matters. It's one of the key ways for me to…

Meeting with God in prayer is the most important activity of my day. It isn’t working on my career, or eating or sleeping, or even spending time with my family. I don't necessarily neglect these other important activities. I still make sure they are a vital part of…

If we want to see our spiritual lives flourish, we need to be as diligent as we can in working on it. Spiritual growth doesn't just happen by chance. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses exhorted the Israelites to be diligent in keeping their souls (see Deut. 4:9). As disciples of Jesus, we are likewise called to…

A few months ago, my family visited from overseas and lived with us in our home for several weeks. It was wonderful to be with family that I haven't seen in so long and to share life together once again. At the same time, having family over will naturally cause some disruption to…

Flexibility is key when operating in a modern world. I consider myself to be a modern monastic, which means I aim to live with a monk-like posture while maintaining a relatively modern lifestyle. Many of us know that modern life can be complex and unpredictable at times. Something new, unexpected, or…

I write a lot about the benefits of having lengthy times of prayer with God. However, some of you may be wondering: is there a place for shorter times of prayer too? I believe there is. Years ago, I was really struggling with connecting with the Lord through spiritual practices. I enacted a very simple strategy out of desperation to…

Sunday is my "cheat day." The idea of a cheat day is drawn from a common practice in the fitness world. In order to achieve high levels of fitness and strength, a person needs to be incredibly disciplined with not only their workout routine but also with their food choices. Bodybuilders and athletes who compete at a very high level need to…

Many people go to the gym in an attempt to become physically healthier. They may desire to grow stronger by developing muscles or they might want to look a certain way when they view themselves in the mirror. Anyone who has ever stepped foot into a gym knows that there are many different machines and tools that a person can use to…

Let's face it: we can be busy people, and each day can look different from the next. That's part of living in a modern world. On some days, it's easy to spend a lot of time with God in prayer and meditation because there's little else on our agenda. Thank the Lord for such days. Then there are days where we might have…