Month: July 2026
How to Begin a Simple Practice of Solitude
If you’ve never practiced solitude before, it can feel overwhelming. We tend to imagine solitude as something reserved for pastors, monks, or people who can disappear into the mountains for days at a time. We picture hours of uninterrupted silence and profound spiritual experiences. Most of us don’t live that way. We have jobs,…
Before God Transforms
Life has a way of revealing the hidden things in us. Sometimes we don’t know they are there. Sometimes we choose to believe they aren’t. Eventually, we all discover something about ourselves we didn’t expect to find. Anger. Bitterness. Fear. Grief. Whatever it is, we are rarely prepared for what is revealed. God has…
The Gift of Paying Attention
There is a difference between seeing and paying attention. A practice of Christian mindfulness and presence begins with paying attention. Most of us move through life seeing thousands of things every day. We see people, places, responsibilities, problems, opportunities, and distractions. Our eyes are constantly taking in information, but very little of it receives…
Lessons from a Quiet Trail: The Porch Was Part of the Trail
I spent the weeks leading up to Eremos’ first beta hike wrestling with doubt. The plans had been made. Several people had said they would come. Then, one by one, life happened. Schedules changed. Conflicts came up. The group became smaller than I had imagined. With every cancellation, discouragement grew. I began asking questions…
Why the Destination Matters More Than the Distance
Ask someone about their favorite hike, and they’ll usually begin by describing the destination. A waterfall tucked away in the woods. A mountain summit with miles of uninterrupted views. A quiet overlook where the world seems to slow down for a while. Those places are worth remembering. But at Eremos, the destination matters for…
WHAT THE WILDERNESS REVEALS ABOUT OUR INNER LIFE
The wilderness has a way of removing distractions we did not realize were carrying so much weight. The quiet and distance of a wilderness spiritual formation allows us to turn our attention to God and the gentle guiding of His hand. When the pace slows and the noise fades, something else begins to surface:…
What to Expect on Your First Guided Hike.
Joining something new always comes with a few unknowns. You might be wondering what the day will feel like on a guided hiking trip, who you’ll be hiking with, or whether you’re expected to say the right things or keep a certain pace. At Eremos, we don’t expect you to arrive with answers. We…
SOLITUDE IS NOT ISOLATION
The Common Misunderstanding of a Christian Solitude Practice One of the most common misunderstandings about a Christian solitude practice is that it means being alone. But solitude, as it is seen throughout Scripture and practiced in the life of Jesus, is not primarily about separation from people. It is about intentional attention. Why Jesus…
WHY EREMOS EXISTS: CREATING SPACE TO PAY ATTENTION TO GOD
More than guided wilderness experiences in East Tennessee We provide guided wilderness experiences in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. More than that we help people experience spiritual formations including intentional solitude on and off the trail. There is a kind of life that moves so quickly it becomes difficult to notice what is…