Skip to main content

Building Brotherhood. Day 20 of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood

Building Brotherhood.

Day 20 of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood


Twenty days into Exodus 90 and I am beginning to realize that this journey is not just about self-discipline or sacrifice—it is about brotherhood. From the very beginning, when I committed to this challenge alongside the 11 men of our Whiskey Wednesday group, I knew that I wasn’t in this alone. However, I don’t think I fully understood the power of fraternity until now.

In these past three weeks, there have been moments of struggle—times when the cold showers felt unbearable, when cravings for comfort tried to break my resolve, and when prayer felt more like an obligation than an encounter with God. Yet, every time I’ve felt weak, I’ve been reminded that I have brothers walking this path with me just across the street and around the world.

One of the greatest blessings of this experience has been my anchor, Sean. His encouragement, accountability, text serving up Salmon Chowder recipes and honest conversations admitting that he snuck “six peanuts” on a day of fasting have helped me refocus and laugh when I’ve felt distracted. Sean isn’t just a partner in this challenge—he is a brother in faith, pushing me to become the man God is calling me to be. Whether it’s a quick check-in on the way to school, a shared reflection during our weekly coffee or a reminder of why we started, his presence has made all the difference.

Our fraternity is becoming more than just a group of men meeting once a week and participating in text banter back and forth—it is a source of strength, accountability, and transformation. Each one of us brings our own struggles and weaknesses, but together, we lift each other up. I can already see how these relationships will extend far beyond Exodus 90, shaping the way we lead our families, serve our communities, and pursue holiness.

As I reflect on Day 20, I am grateful—not just for the challenge, but for the brotherhood that makes the challenge possible. I look forward to the days ahead, knowing that whatever struggles may come, we will face them together.

And for all those out there reading this, Sean’s birthday is Monday.  And while his cake, booze, sweets and snack intake will probably be a bit more limited than normal this year, I do know he will probably get more texts, memes and well wishes from this group than ever before! Happy Birthday Buddy!


Only 70 more days to go.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

From Fractured To Golden My 90th And Final Day of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood

From Fractured To Golden My 90th And Final Day of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood There’s a Japanese philosophy we learned about while in Japan called Kintsugi—the art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Colin and I actually looked at a workshop on this, but it was crazy expensive.  But the idea is that instead of hiding the cracks, Kintsugi emphasizes them, transforming what was once broken into something even more beautiful. It speaks to the soul, doesn’t it? That healing isn’t just restoration—it’s transformation...kind of like what we all just went through! This past 90 days, I (and I hope all of you) experienced my own spiritual Kintsugi. This wasn’t just a detox or a challenge—it was a reawakening. Let me walk you through how each discipline slowly chipped away at my distractions, revealing not only the cracks in my spirit—but also how God (and you guys) helped fill them with gold. Prayer: Filling the Cracks with Stillness and Scripture Exodus 90 begins...

A Look In The Mirror My 85 Day of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood

A Look In The Mirror  My 85 Day of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood Eighty-five days ago, I stepped into Exodus 90 unsure of what to expect. The idea of committing to intense prayer, asceticism, and fraternity for three months seemed daunting—almost impossible. Now, just five days from the finish line, I see the journey with new eyes. What started as a challenge to remove distractions and embrace self-discipline has become something far greater: a transformation of heart, mind, soul (and body too). Prayer: From Routine to Relationship At the start, I rated my prayer life a 6 out of 10. I thought I had a decent foundation, but looking back, my prayers were often rushed, unfocused, and transactional. Now, after 85 days of daily holy hours, scripture meditation, and silent reflection, prayer has become a genuine relationship rather than an obligation. The noise that once filled my mind has quieted, allowing me to hear God’s voice more clearly. My conversations with ...

Exit Strategy Day 80 of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood

Exit Strategy Day 80 of Exodus 90: A Journey Toward Freedom and Brotherhood When life becomes overwhelming—when stress, pain, or sheer exhaustion set in—we naturally seek an exit. We want an emergency escape hatch from discomfort. The world offers plenty of quick fixes: indulgence, distraction, numbing entertainment, or worse—sin. It’s easy to justify a small indulgence here or a minor compromise there. The devil whispers, "This is too much. You deserve a break."  I mean we have all felt this temptation – more so I feel in the last 20 or so days.   Sin offers a short-term solution, but it never truly satisfies. It’s an illusion of relief, a momentary distraction that ultimately deepens the void. The real challenge is resisting the urge to break away and instead pressing deeper into the discomfort (or as we have been saying – embracing the suck), knowing that true transformation is happening within. Every day, even though I sometimes hear “are we there yet,” coming from th...