Author: Larry Berna

Honoring God and Country

Lynn Berna – Monday, February 23, 2026

Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

USA Hockey Team player, Jack Hughes with the golden goal that put them over the top, said, “This is all for country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates. It’s unbelievable. The USA Hockey brotherhood is so strong. I am so proud to be an American. Tonight it was all for country.”

It truly is unbelievable. The USA In 1980 beat Soviet Union. They had to wait 46 more years for a Gold Medal and it was a true patriotic moment.

When asked to describe his emotions about the win Jack said, “That’s American Hockey right there.” God must have been pleased with the way Jack, who made the winning goal, honored his country and others.”

The USA goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, made 41 saves during the game. Everyone doing their part earned the team win. The United States medal count was 33 this Winter Olympics with 12 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze medals. It was so refreshing and made you want to tear up, to hear someone share how much they loved their country and being an American.

Me too, Jack, and it was an honor to watch the USA Hockey team win a gold medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Also, God bless America, this is a land that I love.

Showing Honor

Monday, February 16, 2026

Living Life in the Second Act by your coffee drinking friend
Lynn Berna

This month we have been focusing on showing honor to each
other as taught in Romans 12:10 from The Bible.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Honoring Each Other

Honor is defined as having high respect or great esteem for others, and especially God.
When my daughter was young she really wanted a dog. Her dad said no to her several times. She began to kneel by her bed each night and prayed asking God to please change her dad’s mind to say yes to a dog.
My husband was thinking maybe if he said yes, but, with some stipulations, saying yes might be a good idea. He said if she would not date guys until she graduated from high school she could have a dog. Both stayed true to their word. The adorable cockapoo puppy she named Honor.

God And Power in Prayer
Two Things That Are Very Real

Just as God’s Word encourages showing love and respect to each other, The One who was sent to earth with the purpose of demonstrating love for us by dying on the cross is far more deserving of honor.

Make Good Decisions Ask God What To Do

God also wants us to honor Him in the midst of important decisions.
When we find ourselves in an impasse He leads us to the right path best for our needs.
The King James Version of The Bible in Proverbs 3:5-6 puts it this way as we give God honor by placing all our trust in Him,

“Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

In loving memory of Honor

Sending You A Valentine

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

If I could send a valentine to each family around the globe it would come from a valuable Bible verse in Romans 12:10 on how to lovingly treat each other.
We know what love looks like. It’s when you are loved so much someone dies for you. That’s what Jesus did and it gave you Heaven, and right standing with God. His death and resurrection gave you the chance to be with the good guys, fighting on the winning team.

Keeping Your Kids On The Team

Jonathan Brozozog, a pastor with eight children was recently interviewed about his book called “Raising Parents.”
His wisdom caught my attention.
“Be in the moment!
When we are with them we are with them!
Don’t be busy with other stuff.
Sow seeds of confidence by being a good listener.
Then I took note of this wise advice and realized God was speaking through this kind father when he said, “Grandparents are a living letter of God’s faithfulness and their prophetic voice. Our grandchildren and children can see further when they stand on the shoulders of your prophetic words.”

More Wise Words

Gently the pastor said, “Our kids are not going to be what we say, they’re going to be what we do.”
When finding yourself in a grumpy mood ask grandkids to pray
for you“, he suggested.
“Maybe kids don’t need as much medication as the world is telling them they need, maybe they need more time with their grandparents.”
In the Jonathan Brozozog
Book on discipline, his approach is to always pray before a correction. Someone who has eight children would know.
“So you are Never ANGRY; Pray before discipline.
Don’t send kids to room or away from you or you will teach discipline creates distance and God doesn’t discipline and send us away from Him, He disciplines us to bring us close.”

Other Important Words About Prayer

“Pray something nice over siblings toward each other. Teach them to serve each other.
If your children only see you pray, worship, read Bible on Sunday to them your faith will be religion.
And the best place to raise an atheist is a religious home.”

Back To Romans 12:10

“Honor one another above yourselves.”
Author, and pastor Jonathan Brozozog says,
“The more Honor you have in your home the less rules are needed.”

On Valentine’s Day we demonstrate love with words from a card, a love letter, a gift, but can you Honor those you love daily? Yes it can happen when we ask God to give us a true servant’s heart.

By Lynn Berna

Family Mission

By Lynn Berna Monday, February 2, 2026

Romans 12:10. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Yesterday I heard a great interview. Melania Trump shared she was on a mission as the First Lady in the Whitehouse.
Interviewed by Rachel Campos Duffy while at the First Lady’s Documentary Film Premier, Rachel asked, “What is the secret to beauty in your view?”
“I think you need to take care of yourself.
I think self love, self care is very important because when
you take care of yourself, you take care of other people.”
What great insight which speaks to tired moms everywhere.
A favorite mom I know is our niece, April. She attended “20 Days to be the First Lady” and here’s what April had to say about the film which made over 7 million dollars.
“My take on the documentary was that she was raised by down to earth, kind people. I learned that her elder parents lived in the White House with them in the first term. Her mother passed away a year before returning to office. She was authentic in her grieving for her mother and how hard the year had been for her. She still includes her father in her every day life. He is often behind the scenes with her recording/documenting her work.
I felt saddened during parts of the show because she is on her own much of the time. Of course the president is busy as is all the adult children. She really is doing her own business, activism work and fulfilling her calling.
She didn’t seem sad, I just felt it myself because it would not be a life I would want. But she was extremely content in her skin, kind, compassionate, devoted to country, family, faith, and her vision. She is the picture of quiet strength with an articulate personality. She’s very much a DETAIL person and peacemaker. It was interesting for me to see the influence she had on hostage releases and advocacy for foster children.” The Take It Down Act is legislation
that Melania Trump helped to pass for foster families.
Another important project has been to see Ukrainian children reunited with their families after being held in Russia. The First Lady has been personally corresponding with Russian President Putin to bring the children back to their homeland and families.
Rachael Campos Duffy said, “Fashion can be a form of diplomacy.”
Speaking to Melania Trump the reporter said, “I feel you are one of the most fashionable First Ladies we have ever had in the Whitehouse.” When asked about being snubbed by the so-called fashion gatekeepers, The First Lady responded, “I was in fashion business for a long time and my
Mother was in the fashion business. I was on the magazine covers and photo shoots.”
The First Lady went on to say, “I’m very proud of what we achieved with Take it Down Act for foster families, for now and in the future,
and that Ukrainian children are coming back home from Russia and that’s much more important to me than to be on the covers of any magazine.”
Melania Trump is on a mission that is impacting us all. May it be said of each one of us that we carried out our mission The Lord God gave us.
My mission is to follow after God, living out my faith in God while being a good wife, Mom, and NeNe (as my grandkids call me.)
I’m on a mission to encourage and be helpful in whatever way
I can to my family.
How about you?

Snow roll…
Baseball pitcher
Puzzle whiz!!!

22 inches of Snow and Counting it all joy! by Lynn Berna 26-JAN-2026

Screenshot

Matthew 6:26 TLB
“Look at the birds! They don’t worry about what to eat-they don’t need to sow or reap or store up food-for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than they are.”
When my husband wasn’t busy shoveling snow, he was pretending to use a Star Wars light saver, actually our leaf blower, on the windows and bird-feeders.

Entertaining to watch, it worked pretty well.
Oh the fun of being snowed in!
My husband and I filled birdfeeders with a homemade concoction from our kitchen blended into creamy peanut butter.
We would have filled our feeders with crunchy peanut butter but we were all out.
Secretly I’m glad we didn’t have crunchy peanut butter. It was so fun to blend in the different nuts and raisins we had on hand.

Red-bellied woodpecker

There’s a Downey woodpecker hiding on one of the newly filled feeders.
The Creator used amazing black and white feathers for a sight to behold. But in this photo you will have to look closely for him.
Can you find the Downey?
Many birds including Red Bellied and Downey woodpeckers came to the bird-feeders to check it out.
And just like God provides and protects the birds He created;
His provision for you and your family far surpasses that. You can relax in God’s care.

The Golden Rule by Lynn Berna

“Do to others what you would want them to do to you.”
Matthew 7:12a. TLB

What a different world there would be if we all followed The Bible’s guide referred to as, “The Golden Rule.” The other day I parked the grocery scooter and
then dropped my cane. I started to lean down to pick it up off the ground, when a nice lady who was a stranger said, “Oh know you don’t,” and she grabbed my cane and handed it to me. My guess was she had to be a nurse. It was greatly appreciated and once again made me think about, “The Golden Rule.”

Opening the door for someone, and having that one respond saying thank-you kindly is another example of following that rule, and never ceases to make me smile.

Lynn

Memory Monday

by Lynn Berna. January 12, 2026

Psalm 37:25-26 TLB

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”

Blogging about life with a cup of coffee in hand and being what I refer to as a “texter.” I find it is a satisfying way to capture the moments while living in the second act. Family life amuses me.
My husband actively involved in a group that does orienteering is so excited that his daughter wants to set up an August event for the orienteering club that they began working on it yesterday. Heading to Yellow Springs wearing Martian glasses, they were on the hunt for fire hydrant locations that they could map for the summer event. All I can say is, being in this family there’s never a dull moment, and thankfully there’s a lot of family ones. Opportunities to smile at memories and laugh at pictures left behind are endless. God has blessed this family with love for each other, room for differences, and many happy memories.

Lynn Berna Bio

Lynn Berna is a Christian writer, former radio personality, and faith blogger who served the Lord for more than 35 years in Christian broadcasting. In this season of life, she treasures time spent studying the Bible, strengthening loving family relationships, writing, storytelling, and enjoying life as a grandparent alongside her husband, Larry.

Lynn is the publisher of LivingLifeInTheSecondAct.blog, a Christian blog focused on faith, encouragement, and biblical insight for life’s second season. Through Scripture-centered reflections, she encourages readers to grow spiritually, live with purpose, and trust God in every stage of life.

Enjoying the Big Life in a Small Town

Walking in Freedom by Lynn Berna

As I reflect on life in a small town—especially after living through a pandemic—I am reminded how good it feels to be home and living in a free country.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” —Psalm 119:45

I can’t help but smile when I read another verse that feels just as true today:

“Your faithfulness continues through all generations.” —Psalm 119:90

Front Porch Moments

These days, my husband and I enjoy sitting on the front porch, serenaded by a purple wren, while dreaming about our next date night at Sam and Ethel’s—a nearby restaurant known for its pies. Small, quaint mom-and-pop places have always been my favorite. There’s comfort in them, a sense of belonging that feels timeless.

Growing Up Small-Town Strong

My parents started their own business when I was just four years old, and business conversations were a regular part of supper table talk. A family business has charm, but building one takes hard work.

Dad worked two full-time jobs—one during the day at home and another overnight at Acme Precision in Dayton. Mom worked full-time as a secretary to a CEO while also managing the bookkeeping. For several years, my grandparents lived with us, blessing me with extra love and attention until my parents could rely solely on the business they built together.

A Family Business and a Good Life

The welding shop sat directly behind our home. Over time, Dad expanded it, adding a front room that replaced a large porch with pillars and became a gift shop showcasing ornamental iron pieces. Mom ran the shop and handled the books.

They were a perfect team. Dad loved people and being his own boss, and Custom Way Welding and Ornamental Iron provided our family with a good life.

Small-Town Traditions

Fourth of July fireworks lit up the Little League baseball field, and summer evenings often ended with a walk to the drugstore a few blocks away for an ice cream cone. While some things change in a small town, many remain the same—and that’s something worth appreciating.

Connection in a Changed World

During the pandemic, I became especially aware of who I had beside me. Each evening, my husband and I receive “good night” and “sweet dreams” texts from family in Indiana—sharing stories of picking strawberries, taking walks, building houses, and swimming pools.

They live four hours away, yet it feels like they’re just down the road. The same is true with friends. We have been blessed to experience the very best of what social media can offer.

Grandma to the Rescue

Recently, my friend Becky reached out from South Carolina. Semi-retired, she answered the call when her daughter Stephanie—a nurse and single mom—needed help. With long hospital shifts and homeschooling responsibilities, it was time for Grandma to the rescue.

Becky stepped in, helping run the household and teach her six-year-old grandson, Alex.

“I Am Coming for You, Freedom!”

One day, Becky texted that she and Alex were upstairs in their school area studying American history. She said Alex opened the window, leaned against the screen, and proclaimed to the world below:

“I am coming for you, freedom!”