mundane.

Mundane. m-u-n-d-a-n-e. Mundane. Her wardrobe is mundane. "Adj. Lacking interest or excitement; dull."

The intention of Unwritten: that the words (especially those deep within the hearts of women), however difficult to unveil, would be published for whoever is willing to listen. The number of occupied seats in the audience matters in the least. The content has been deep at times, but tonight, it's going to be raw. It's going to be personal. I am going to break the "third party approach" and engage the shockingly personal nouns of 'You,' 'I,' and 'We.' The passion behind Unwritten might just make a debut.

We have been lulled into Contentment. Our generation is fueled by Consumerism, captivated by the luster of "Perfection," and trapped by our own Insecurity. We seek out our identity in the companionship of a husband or the corporate ladder ascent. Even the most flawless relationship or ideal job, as outlined on paper, buckles under the pressure. We find ourselves in a destructive cycle, overcome by a sense of failure or rejection, unable to extend ourselves any further. The thought of placing one foot in front of the other seems unbearable.

The definition of Mundane that often goes overlooked and discarded is as follows: "Of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one." This much I know is true: by continually prioritizing the demands of the physical and emotional "requirements" of our being, the calling of the Most High God to be a light to this world is suffocated. Are we willing to shed the weight of our burdens and take on His yoke or are we satisfied to yield to the gravitational pull of Self, rendering each of us powerless?

From this side of the keyboard, I am unaware of the current state of your heart. I have no idea what circumstances may be staring you in the face, from the moment your alarm signals the start of your day, until you whisper prayers that fade into the still of night. Today I extend an invitation to join me on the journey of our lives. If you've never known God in a personal way, I dare you to seek Him out. Some of you have accepted Christ as your Savior, but it doesn't end there.

For me to write without Love would be as futile as an attempt to fill a perforated basin. You can stop reading now. I won't be offended. If you are willing to take a step into a chapter that will require bravery and humility, boldness and complete surrender, an adventure that is yet Unwritten awaits...

cadavers.

While studying Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University, I was blessed to have professors that were highly intelligent, fully committed to their area of expertise/ research and passionate about educating the next generation in the inner-workings of the human body.  CSU is one of few schools who offer undergraduate students the opportunity to learn from human cadavers.  As a high school student, our anatomy class paid a visit to the animated Mark Frasier, professor of Gross Human Anatomy.   Mark uncovered the corpse on the table and opened our eyes to what could be learned from the remains of a life once lived.  In that moment, I was captivated by the intelligent design.  The sheer strength of the heart to circulate blood through such delicate capillaries and the intricacy of the spinal cord, carefully encased in the protection of the perfectly aligned vertebrae was beautifully illustrated in this human body, as it was exposed to the deepest level.  There was no question in my mind that one day I would dive headlong into this field of study.

Taking into consideration the way the brain stores and transmits information and the differentiation of cells in tissue formation which further comprise our organs, it is as though we are handed the keys to the most sophisticated vehicle, on the day we make our grand entrance into this world.  What has been lost over the years is the required maintenance.  Especially in the United States, we have substituted liposuction and appetite suppressing injections for a healthy lifestyle.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) now reports obesity rates, as the epidemic continues to spread like wildfire.  In 2005, a new "color" hit the charts as Louisiana, Mississippi and West Virginia weighed in at an obesity rate greater than 30%.  Let me break it down:  ONE THIRD of the entire state's population, ONE in every THREE people, was not only overweight, but obese.  The story told by the map is truly eye opening.  If you want to track the trend through a visual representation, check out this link:  http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul has a heart-to-heart with his audience:  ^"19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (NIV)  While he may not have utilized this language, I appreciate the words selected in The Message translation:  "Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body."  The way we carry ourselves speaks volumes above and beyond our outward appearance.  Every body is unique and it would be foolish to confuse disease and disability with a lack of care.  With that caveat covered, it is imperative that those who are able, continue a pursuit of health.

The definition of health that I choose to cling most closely to, incorporates fitness in the mental, physical, relational, financial and spiritual areas of our lives.  Each deserves attention and the purpose of this entry is to highlight the importance of the physical aspect of our being, as this is truly the vehicle by which we are able to fulfill our calling.  Regardless of what may define our hopes and dreams, we will lose our effectiveness if we are not functioning in a capacity that will sustain the energy required to continue the pursuit.

If I don my "personal trainer hat," I could quickly outline the five components of physical fitness, record your resting heart rate, measure your VO2 max (lung capacity) or even dissect your current nutritional intake.  These are all important for evaluation and goal setting purposes, but this message extends beyond the numbers.  We are called and set apart to make a difference in this life.  Our bodies are gifts that require attention and care.  In no way, shape, or form am I suggesting that fitness goals are extreme or unnecessary.  My intention is that we would pursue fitness, not as a chore or another agenda item to check off the to-do list, but as a way to steward a priceless gift.

faith.

The best dreams are the ones we are unable to execute in our own strength.

What does it look like to be fearless?  Better yet, what does it look like to have unshakeable faith?

The absence of fear my indicate a lack of concern, a numbness caused by calloused wounds, or even an obliviousness to the situation.  In contrast, unshakeable faith can serve as an armor that allows the wearer to enter the heart of the battle with confidence or step into the darkness of the unknown with full assurance that illumination rides on their coattails.

Faith is personal.  Faith is a decision.  Faith is a permanent adherence.  Faith is not the silver bullet that shows up in the barrel of a gun on a moment's notice.  Faith is the product of endurance, characterized by commitment.  The belief that something will come to pass or that a dream will be realized is not supported by a fleeting agreement.  Trails in life are guaranteed and, without a firm foundation of trust, the house will fall.  Torrential rains and hurricane winds come to mock dreams, but the labor invested in establishing the groundwork will be the true test.

gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The Christmas season has officially come to a close, but the Biblical account of the birth of Christ remains timeless. Nativity sets may be carefully stowed away in giant Tupperware boxes, nestled alongside macaroni ornaments from Christmases of the past and strings of lights, covered by a wreath that will once again grace the front door next December. Although the figurines are out of sight, unpacking the stately wise men unearths a powerful, modern day message that deserves daily application.

Wise men were commonly referred to as Magi, royalty within the caste system, who devoted themselves to learning. Known for their study of the constellations, they were viewed as the scientific authority on astronomy. Matthew 2 depicts their arrival on the scene of Jerusalem, when Herrod was king. They were on a mission, led by a star, seeking insight from the reigning king of the Jews regarding the whereabouts of the long-foretold King of the Jews. Consider Harrod's potential state of confusion! "I'm sorry, I think you've been spending too much time looking through your telescope. My name is Har-rod. Two syllables. Ask anyone around here and they'll quickly let you know that this is my turf. Has been for some time."

If the journey of the wise men originated in Babylon, the trek to Bethlehem likely spanned more than 500 miles. Familiarity with traveling great distances may have aided in the time required to complete the trip, but a one-way ticket would still clock out at over two weeks. With the advent of planes, trains and automobiles and the speed at which information is shared, the thought of taking four weeks of time off work to deliever a gift seems unthinkable. Make a purchase online, in the color of your preference, pay the shipping costs and FedEx guarantees delivery within 2-3 business days. The devotion of these men to their cause showcases what it means to be dedicated, committed without question.

Not only did they show up to simply congratulate Joseph and Mary on the birth of their child and kneel before the King before holding Him in their arms, they had valuable and significant presents in tow. They had done their research and made exceptional purchases: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They showed up to express adoration.

The spiritual calling to bow before the King is outlined by the Apostle Paul in Romans: "I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well-pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational and intelligent) service and spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1, AMP) Today, gold, frankincense, and myrrh take on the appearance of time, energy and talent. In the eloquent and simple words of Leo Buscaglia, "Your talent is God's gift to you; what you do with it is your gift to God." Paul's translation: DECISIVE DEDICATION.

Take inventory of the time, energy and talent in-house, then consider how it can be employed to worship the King of Kings, the Most High, Savior of the world. He gave His life that we might live. What is the appropriate response? While it may be expressed differently (the beauty of each unique individual), it is certainly a question that requires an answer.