Rebecca Barrack

[As appeared on Minneapolis Star Tribune] Here we are, just a few days into the New Year. How are those resolutions looking?

[As originally seen on Crosswalk] As the countdown to the end of this last school year came to an end, it occurred to me that half of my summers with my oldest daughter were gone. I blinked and – poof – nothing but memories remained.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and as we considered how to honor the holiday beyond the flowers and card-worthy sentiments, we saw an opportunity to highlight the spiritual mothers in our lives.

Three more things added to the to-do list. Another Christmas party to add to the calendar. Presents to buy, cookies to bake, pictures to take, cards to send. The list goes on and on as we succumb to the hustle and bustle of the season, often without taking a moment to pause and breathe.

It’s 5:30 a.m., and the alarm begins its shrill alert. Though he’s already been awake for a bit, the day’s tasks begin to loom heavy on the mind of the pastor. The dog needs to be let out, then there are emails to answer and sermon notes to condense. But first, he shuffles to the kitchen for the caffeinated elixir that’ll get his brain firing this early. On the way, he stops to click the remote off, since someone in the house has left the TV on all night, yet again.

I wish you could see…

Though most of the world is emerging from pandemic-related travel restrictions and safety concerns, one good thing to come out of the last few years is the popularity of exploring more “local” travel on a tank-full. It's amazing how many incredible places are within a few hours' drive from your home! In this post, we'll share some tips and tricks for exploring your own backyard on a single tank of gas.

More resources! (as of 8/18/23)