Author Archives: GettingCloserToOurGod

About GettingCloserToOurGod

This blog is written by Todd Christenson. He was raised in Nebraska and currently lives on Long Island in New York. Though out my childhood, my family attended church. We prayed together at meals. I thought I was prepared for life. After college, I moved to New York City. Shy, unsure of myself, building an identity in worldly things, increasingly prideful, self-righteousness, a controlling nature. In 2013, God spoke through someone, suggesting I confess my sins. I did. I realized that every day, I’d been glorifying myself, not God. Today, God’s teaching me to have my identity in Him, only, my dependency in Him, not myself, being who He wants me to be, not the world, loving Him first, loving others as myself.

Wearing a Mask Helps Me Rely on God

Posted on 07/21/2020 by GettingCloserToOurGod

My decision to wear a mask indoors and outside, except when with my family, began earlier this year when my father-in-law and mother-in-law were hospitalized with COVID 19; they both ultimately passed. I have even learned things from wearing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Decreasing for His Purpose by Oswald Chambers

Posted on 03/26/2020 by GettingCloserToOurGod

Several years ago, a friend explained to me his desire to increase God in his life and to decrease himself. My friend quoted John 3:30 (ESV) “He must increase, but I must decrease.” I posted this verse on this blog, mentioning my friend, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Genesis 2:18, 22 & 25; 3:7-8

Posted on 01/20/2020 by GettingCloserToOurGod

Recently, someone suggested that I read these five verses from Genesis, together. I am glad I did. Genesis 2:18, 22 & 25; 3:7-8 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

“The Emotionally Healthy Relationships Course” by Peter & Geri Scazzero #GCTOGOD

Posted on 07/04/2018 by GettingCloserToOurGod

For the last several weeks; when speaking to a friend, he kept mentioning how helpful he was finding “The Emotionally Healthy Relationship Course” in his relationships.  He and his wife were attending a small group using the material detailed below … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Everyone Has A Story by @BreneBrown

Posted on 06/10/2018 by GettingCloserToOurGod

The facilitator of a men’s group I attend gave everyone a copy of this blog post by Brené Brown, “Everyone Has A Story.”  The post is a  response to the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. The post starts out … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken Hearted, Encouragement, Self-Help, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Latest favorite bibles verses using bible app @gotandem

Posted on 05/12/2018 by GettingCloserToOurGod

It keeps happening, as I talk to people and learn the various ways they engage with the bible, invariably I get excited based on their experience, and often times, I try their favorite bible app or bible reading system. There … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, New Testimant, Self-Help | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Daily Temperature Reading (DTR) by Eric Moore, adapted from @PAIRSFOUNDATION

Posted on 03/25/2018 by GettingCloserToOurGod

A couple weeks ago, at a men’s retreat, a tool that I had not heard of, designed to help sustain healthy relationships was introduced. It’s called the Daily Temperature Reading or DTR. A couple men I respect a lot; Pastor … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Encouragement, Encouraging Words, Self-Help | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“You Make Me Crazy” Talks on Restoring Relationships by @RickWarren ‏

Posted on 03/11/2018 by GettingCloserToOurGod

  Most every morning, I listen to Rick Warren, Andy Stanley or Tim Keller. On long runs, all three. This series of talks “You Make Me Crazy” by Rick Warren was excellent. I didn’t post them all here, at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Broken Hearted, Self-Help | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Weakness and Failure Will Build Your Faith by @vaneetharisner

Posted on 01/28/2018 by GettingCloserToOurGod

This article by Vaneetha Risner “Weakness and Failure Will Build Your Faith” posted on DesiringGod.org spoke to me. There is a link to the article below, also a couple quotes I plan to refer to from time to time as … Continue reading →

Posted in Encouraging Words, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher, Ph.D.

Posted on 11/05/2017 by GettingCloserToOurGod

This last Summer, my wife and I listed to much of the audio version of Reviving Ophelia. Being published in 1996, the material is dated as far as social media and mobile device usage in 2017.  The depth and understanding … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment