Without a doubt, we were created for relationship. While as Christians we are all part of one body, with Christ as the head, we can often feel disconnected from our Christian family, or only connected superficially (which can be worse!). Our fast paced Western culture doesn’t exactly nurture intentional community. We are told to focus inward and forward, on our own lives and paths of success. For many of us, our once-a-week “Christian” gathering takes place in a large-group a

If you’ve never been on a Coldwater Trip or are unfamiliar with the concept of portages, it’s the process of carrying one’s canoe and gear between two lakes. It seems like a simple concept, and in theory, it is. But every portage trail is different and may include mud, bushwhacking, elevation, large rocks, bugs, or all of the above. As the famous canoeist and naturalist, Bill Mason said, “Anyone who says they like portaging is either a liar or crazy.” I would agree and also

“I can’t do that.” At Coldwater, we often hear those words from students entering their program or starting to learn wilderness skills. When told that they will be carrying a canoe over their head, on their own, while walking through the woods, we hear, “I can’t.” It’s usually not something the student has ever tried before, and yet, the first response is one of self doubt. I call this settling-- we settle in lots of areas of life, and often don’t realize we’re doing it. Some

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