By Lynn Berna
Monday, July 13, 2026

A dear, longtime friend, Becky, stopped by to share something from her garden.
We caught up on family happenings and then discussed going to church in the community or listening to a church service online.
One observation of mine is that worshiping in person at church cannot be replaced by online viewing. Raising your voice and sometimes hands, in a group of people all focused on The Holy, Sovereign God becomes so meaningful. God sees me and I love singing to Him. God sees each of us when we take time to worship Him.
Later this got me to thinking that it’s not always about going to church to minister to others. It’s also about humbling yourself and allowing someone to minister to you. And setting aside time to go to church is a compliment to God.
It shows devotion and honor to a friendship that means more than any other in your life. For He is worthy to be praised!

I Samuel 2:2
“No one is as Holy as The Lord. There is no other God, nor any Rock like our God.”

by Lynn Berna
Monday, July 6, 2026

Isaiah 12:4
The Living Bible
“In that wonderful day you will say, “Thank The Lord! Praise His name!
Tell the world about His wondrous love. How mighty He is!”

I remember the day when we bought the swing-set. My husband had to put it together and it was quite a task.
I’m not sure how many stitches he ended up with after a run to the ER, but, eventually the playground set was all put together. My how the children loved it. Hours of play on the swing set.

On this Fourth of July weekend we grilled out with family. Once again children laughed and played in the sandbox and on swings after twenty-five years of keeping the playground set in our yard.
This time it’s the grandchildren swinging, laughing, and playing in the sandbox, and on the slide, but I remember another time when our daughters climbed the treehouse and played on the monkey bars.

Many years of gathering together over the Fourth of July bring back memories of love of country and a feeling of how blessed we are to be living in the USA.
To be free to pray, and worship in a church of your choice, work at a job and save until you have your own home, these are everyday opportunities in the USA for those who want them. We are so blessed to be free to make the choices we want.

By Lynn Berna Monday June 29,2026

Psalm 138:2-3,7,8
“…Giving thanks to You for all Your lovingkindness and Your faithfulness, for Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your Name. When I pray, You answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.
…Though I am surrounded by troubles, You will bring me safely through them. You will clench Your fist against my angry enemies! Your power will save me.
The Lord will work out His plans for my life-for Your lovingkindness, Lord, continues forever.”

What happens when we take time to read God’s Word, The Bible?
New Strength for the New Week and New Blessings

by Lynn Berna
Sunday, June 21,2026

Proverbs 23:24-25
“The father of a Godly man has cause for joy-what pleasure a wise son (or daughter) is! So give your parents joy!”

Thank you for father’s which lead in Godly ways by their example. What a blessing if they pray and read The Bible to their family.
Protecting, caring and demonstrating their love to the family as they work hard to provide for what is needed in the home.
Thank you daddy and papaw’s for all you do for the family.

Texas Pecan Chocolate Sheet Cake
Lynn Berna’s Kitchen:
*2 Cups Sugar
*2 Cups Flour
(use Cake Flour but
other flour will do)
*1 tsp salt

Mixing everything In saucepan:
1 1/2 Sticks of sweet cream butter
1 Cup water
1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
Boil on stovetop
*Then Mix with dry ingredients
Add:
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Buttermilk Or
(Make milk into buttermilk by adding a Tbl of apple cider to the measured regular milk amount)
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon vanilla

Bake cake 12-15 minutes at 350 on cookie sheet or longer baking pan
Cake does not raise much.

Icing:
1 Stick of sweet cream butter placed in pan
Dump in 6 Tablespoons of milk
1/4 Cup of Hersheys Unsweetened Cocoa
1 lb bag of Powdered Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Cup Pecans (optional)

Instructions:
Ice Cake while warm.
Mix and melt all the ingredients
Cook on stove until it comes to a boil.
Icing will be liquid still.
Pour icing over warm cake just pulled out of oven.
Spread over cake while warm.
Cool and Eat after cutting into squares.
This cake likes to be made the night before.

Lynn Berna

Lamentations 3:23-24
“His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is His faithfulness; His loving-kindness begins afresh each day.”

We fast forward after a busy month in May and land on June first. Seems like a good day for a fresh start and realization of the goodness of God.
“Let it be a Hallelujah to God with every breath that’s in me,” as Lauren Daigle sings on the radio.

Today is the chance to begin again. A fresh start on that journey of life. After first things first, acknowledging Jesus as my greatest reality and asking for forgiveness when seeing my sin.

Thank you, Jesus, that Your mercies are new every morning.

Lynn Berna Monday, May 25, 2026

Romans 8:28
“All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to God’s purposes.”

Helen Keller became blind and deaf at 19 months of age due to an illness.

A 20-year-old graduate came to live with the family. Her name was Anne Sullivan. With her help and training, the teacher taught Helen sign language by spelling words in her hand. Helen learned the alphabet and read braille.
Helen became a well-educated person with the help of a wise and patient teacher.

Helen Keller once said,
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

So now when facing disappointment, think about what one girl was able to accomplish against all odds and search for the open door of opportunity.

Helen Keller circa 1920

Lynn Berna Monday May 18, 2026

Genesis 1:21-22
“So God created great sea animals, and every sort of fish and every kind of bird. And God looked at them with pleasure, and blessed them all.”

One of the best ways to spend the early morning hours is with a fishing pole in the water. Last weekend was a reminder of this when our four year old grandson caught a fish all by himself.
Papaw enjoys time with family while fishing, and is blessed.

For me, I’m blessed with a good cup of coffee, and an afternoon swim at the pool with my daughter and grandkids.
Enjoy many activities the sunny season provides with family and friends and be blessed.

Lynn Berna Monday, May 11, 2026

Exodus 20:12 (TLB)
“Honor your father and mother, that you may have a long, good life in the land your God will give you.”

I am thankful God gave me daughters as dear friends because it is the closest thing I have to talking to my mom. She was always a good listener and gave good advice.

A mother is an important force in a family. Mine always saw to it that my brother and I attended church. Mom faithfully took us each week to church, even though my dad would not go with us for many years.

For over forty years, my mom taught all the primary age children in Sunday school at the Grace Brethren Church she attended. This included my brother and I when we were in first and second grade.

I am so thankful that my mom passed on her faith to me by her Godly example. As a child, I remember her tucking me in bed at night after reading Bible stories aloud to me. It has made all the difference in my life to know and trust God.

For those who missed their moms over Mother’s Day like I did,
I pray for you and understand.

Lynn Berna Monday, May 4, 2026

Matthew 4:18
Enjoyed the beginning of spring baseball season with a carrot cake flavored cup of coffee and a baseball parade. My grandson hit the ball well at the first game of the season. He caught a ball while playing second base that landed a double play in the inning.

Grandchildren especially love fishing with Papaw in spring and summer.
While at Eastwood park on the weekend, it was easy to see that fishing was in full swing with so many fishing poles in the water. This got me thinking about The Bible and what was said about being fishers of men.
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.”
Jesus told the fisherman not to be afraid of the huge load of fish their nets collected. From now on Jesus told them, “you will fish for people.”
Luke 5:9-11 records that day when Jesus chose His disciples.

Someone we enjoy talking to, shared her husband had gone on a fishing trip several states away, only to catch nothing to take a picture of but little bitty fish. That’s how it goes sometimes, but, if you open your eyes to see, you may actually find the better catch nearby.
Let God lead you.