set-back vs. relapse

Posted by Jeff Olson on February 24, 2011

Last weekend the weather in Michigan took a turn for the worst. Prior to the weekend, the weather was dramatically improving. The sun came out, the temperatures were warming up nicely and much of the snow from a long winter melted away.  Things were headed in a good direction.

But... Read More

Perfectionism

Posted by Allison Stevens on February 21, 2011

It can feel like a curse to be a perfectionist!  I know, because I’ve struggled in my life with it.  It can be debilitating because we are so preoccupied with being perfect and right that we miss out on other important and healthy things in life.

If you struggle with perfectionism,... Read More

When Someone You Love Is Dying

Posted by Jeff Olson on February 17, 2011

My 21 year old nephew graduates from college today. It’s a joyous day for him and my family. We are all so proud of him, but it’s also mixed with sadness and heartache. You see, my nephew, who was born with an incurable disease (Duchenne muscular dystrophy) was originally meant to graduate... Read More

Putting Children in the Middle

Posted by Allison Stevens on February 14, 2011

If you are going through a divorce, please don’t put your children in the middle of the conflict between you and the other parent.  The children didn’t cause the divorce and they can’t, nor should they be expected to, fix it.

It’s confusing enough for children when they learn... Read More

The Desire for Vengeance

Posted by Jeff Olson on February 10, 2011

I once spoke with a man whose son had been brutally murdered by a close family friend. In the years to follow, the man talked of his burning desire for revenge. He said he wanted to turn this tremendous burden over to Jesus. He knew that bitterness had overtaken his heart and crowded out everything... Read More

Digging out

Posted by Tim Jackson on February 9, 2011

We got blasted with a whopper of a snow storm this past week. 16″ of gorgeous fresh snow! Beautiful! We hunkered down at home and stayed out of the way of the road warriors so they could attack the 2-3′ drifts with their plow trucks.

After almost 18 hours of winter blitz,... Read More

Super Bowl Commercials

Posted by Allison Stevens on February 7, 2011

My beef this morning is the way the media portrays men as unintelligent idiots. I’m sick and tired of watching this kind of assault on manhood. 

I’m not a man, so why should I care?

Well, I have a son who I want to grow up to be a responsible, caring, moral man. I don’t... Read More

Non-condemning Friendships

Posted by Jeff Olson on February 3, 2011

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about two things:
Fishing and Jesus.

Honestly, I think about fishing a lot. It’s a topic that has been especially on my mind  since I’ve come down with a serious case of “cabin fever.” We’re in the heart of Winter... Read More