Tag Archives: grace

Even When It’s Cold Outside

Posted in Devotions, Parenting by

Baby it’s cold outside! We’re talking Polar Vortex cold. For the past couple of days, my beautiful State of Minnesota has been grappling with negative temperatures and wind chills that, believe it or not, have measured colder than Antarctica!

Don’t get me wrong, we Minnesotans are tough.  Last year, when our state hosted Superbowl LII, we actually came up with the logo “Bold North” to celebrate the fact that we aren’t afraid to get out and enjoy life when the temperatures drop.  We love our winter carnival, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, hockey, and of course – fishing on frozen lakes.

But the past few days have been RIDICULOUS!  So much so, that most of the state has been sequestered indoors.  Many of our schools have been closed for 3-4 days.  Some businesses chose not to open, mail delivery was suspended, and even the state senate called it quits! Continue reading →

A Day Of Reckoning

Posted in Community Impact, Devotions by

It’s been awhile since I’ve written a blog.  Life has been a bit of a blur, and to be honest, I just haven’t made the time to sit down to write.  But in light of the many accounts of sexual abuse allegations that have blown up the Internet, news organizations and social media platforms alike – Matt Lauer being the latest in a long list of high-profile people accused – I thought it might be worth taking a few minutes to put some thoughts on paper.

First, to the brave women (and men) who have been victimized and have found the courage to speak out and share what has happened to you – THANK YOU!  Thank you for facing your pain and maybe your fear and for sharing your stories.  Thank you for bringing attention (i.e. shining light) onto an issue that has festered and flourished in the darkness for far too long.

Your voice matters!  You. Matter.

In Luke 12:2-3 we read: “There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.  Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.” 

Things done in darkness will eventually be exposed.   At some point, we will ALL be held accountable for our actions.  A day of reckoning will come.  Continue reading →

Let Me Be A Woman…

Posted in Devotions by

The other day when I was looking online for some home décor items, I ran across a cute sign with the phrase: “Be the kind of woman who when your feet hit the floor each morning the Devil says, Oh Crap, She’s Up!”

I didn’t buy the sign, but the phrase has stuck with me.  I think it’s because it speaks to the heart of who I WANT to be.  Unfortunately, it’s not always the way that I actually live my life.  I can get derailed so easily.  Continue reading →

An Open Letter To Christians Concerning American Politics

Posted in Community Impact by

Dear Fellow American Christians,

Let me start out by saying, I have never written anything about politics. Quite honestly, I never thought that I would.  This has been very intentional.  You see, I don’t EVER want differences in political views/opinions to be a reason that someone gets turned away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because, in my humble opinion, relationship with Jesus is the ONE thing that I think is worth putting my name/reputation on the line for.

Let me be the first to admit, that I haven’t always been a shining example of what a Christian should be.  I am so human (i.e. flawed).  But one thing I do know is that Jesus came to reconcile people like me (sinners) to God.  Continue reading →

It Starts With Me: A Mother’s Honest Confession

Posted in Parenting by

It’s July in Minnesota.  We are not quite half-way through our summer break, and if I’m completely honest… I have been STRUGGLING!  I’ve been struggling with my patience, struggling with my temper, and struggling with this whole parenting thing.

I have three kiddos and I love them to pieces.  They are truly a blessing in my life.  You know that saying, “children are a gift from above?”  It’s true!

But let’s be real.  My kids don’t always behave in a manner that conjures up warm, fuzzy, “I’m feeling so blessed right now” emotions.  Continue reading →

God Sees You

Posted in Devotions by

Have you ever wondered if God really sees you or cares about your circumstances?

There’s a beautiful story found in the gospel of Mark about a woman who suffered with an unfortunate medical condition. The condition caused her to bleed continually and she lived with this burden for twelve long years.  During this time, she spent all the money that she had visiting multiple doctors and undergoing numerous medical treatments.  However, instead of finding relief, her condition got worse.  Continue reading →

Dare You To Move

Posted in Parenting by

To say it was a bad morning would be an enormous understatement.  It was one of those ‘can I please go back to bed and hide under the comforter until tomorrow,’ kind of mornings.  My daughter, who is now 14 months-old, had been up multiple times in the night for the third night in a row!  In her defense, she had just gotten over a second round of a stomach illness.  But honestly, if you aren’t throwing up, why are you waking me up?!

As if my daughter’s late night shenanigans weren’t enough, my middle son decided that he needed to join me in bed at 5:45am.  I have tried hard to establish a “we are not getting out of bed until 7:00 am” rule at my home.  So far, I am the only person who routinely adheres to said rule. Continue reading →

I love my kids, but sometimes I hate being a mom

Posted in Parenting by

It’s six o’ clock in the morning and my boys are awake.  They “sneak” into my bedroom and try to crawl into bed with me.  I sleepily protest and send them back to their room.  I can hear them jumping off their beds and wrestling each other to the floor as I doze back to sleep for a few minutes, only to be forced out of bed by the hungry cries of my five month old daughter.

I try to rub the sleep out of my eyes as my daughter persistently nurses.  It had been another “cat-nap” night as I drowsily attended to a son’s nightmare induced sobs, followed soon after by a late night feeding for baby.  Continue reading →