Make Monday Matter 3/5

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Mar 31, 20242 min read

Sunshine or Storm: A Perspective Shift

Last month, my husband and I took a quick trip to Arizona in search of sunshine and warmer weather. It's become somewhat of a tradition...

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Lessons Learned: Reading the Bible in 90 Days

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Mar 24, 20242 min read

Lessons Learned: Reading the Bible in 90 Days

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. One dark night in the church basement during a Bible study, I was pregnant with...

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High School Sports and Everlasting Victories

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Mar 10, 20242 min read

High School Sports and Everlasting Victories

As the winter high school sports season nears its end, the excitement steadily builds with each passing day, signaling the onset of the...

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Joni Lynn Schwartz

Mar 2, 20242 min read

Unexpected Help: Perfect Timing

Back in high school, I had a job as a cashier at our local grocery store. One afternoon, as my shift was coming to an end, I glanced...

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Spilled Coffee: Finding God's Grace in Life's Messiness

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Feb 25, 20242 min read

Spilled Coffee: Finding God's Grace in Life's Messiness

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Each week, I set aside time to pull my thoughts together for this blog, a...

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Finding a Way Out: A Lesson Learned from Locked Doors

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Feb 18, 20242 min read

Finding a Way Out: A Lesson Learned from Locked Doors

I had just started my new teaching position, and with classes set to begin on Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend. I made my way to the...

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Trusting in God's Work: A Parent's Journey through Anxiety

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Feb 11, 20243 min read

Trusting in God's Work: A Parent's Journey through Anxiety

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I remember lying on a cot in the principal’s office. She asked if I was ready to...

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Surrender: Lessons from Paul to 'Come Thou Fount'

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Feb 4, 20242 min read

Surrender: Lessons from Paul to 'Come Thou Fount'

Surrender is a recurring theme within the pages of the Bible, with one of my favorite narratives being the transformation of Paul, once...

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The Final Stretch of Winter: Habits for Renewal

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Jan 27, 20242 min read

The Final Stretch of Winter: Habits for Renewal

Winter. While my husband anticipates snowmobiling and ice fishing, I long for the warmth of summer—morning runs and afternoons by the pool.

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Joni Lynn Schwartz

Jan 21, 20242 min read

Speeding through Life's Lessons

My senior year of high school, our football team had just faced a tough loss in postseason play. Driving my friends back from the game in...

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Joni Lynn Schwartz

Jan 11, 20242 min read

God Goes Before You

During my college journey, I decided to transfer to the University of Minnesota as a sophomore. Coincidentally, two girls from my...

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A Day in My Life: Finding Purpose and Seeking God’s Guidance in the Chaos

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Jan 7, 20242 min read

A Day in My Life: Finding Purpose and Seeking God’s Guidance in the Chaos

In the middle of my jam-packed day off, it all begins at 5:00 AM. I grab my Bible, gulp down some much-needed coffee, and dive into a...

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New Year, New Beginnings: A Life Cleaning Reflection

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Dec 31, 20232 min read

New Year, New Beginnings: A Life Cleaning Reflection

Cleaning my house recently led to a surprising and disturbing discovery as I moved the couch—revealing a collection of food, dirt, and...

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Anticipation and Humility: Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas Eve

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Dec 24, 20231 min read

Anticipation and Humility: Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is filled with anticipation. In my childhood, I'd incessantly plead with my mom to open a gift during the day, often with...

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Journey to Bethlehem: Endurance, Faith, and the Gift of Immanuel

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Dec 17, 20232 min read

Journey to Bethlehem: Endurance, Faith, and the Gift of Immanuel

When I was 8 months pregnant, we went on a double date with friends who had recently acquired a new truck. Despite my relatively active...

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Sacred Bonds: A Tale of Miracles, Friendship, and Eternal Hope

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Dec 10, 20232 min read

Sacred Bonds: A Tale of Miracles, Friendship, and Eternal Hope

Growing up, I treasured the close bond with my cousin; our families participated in a variety of activities together, including camping,...

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Beyond Expectations: Miracles and Withholding Judgment

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Dec 3, 20232 min read

Beyond Expectations: Miracles and Withholding Judgment

First comes love, then comes marriage, and perhaps a baby in the baby carriage – or not. Life's order is sometimes not a straight line.

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Echoes of Accusation: Unraveling the Misunderstood Tale of Mary and Joseph

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Nov 26, 20232 min read

Echoes of Accusation: Unraveling the Misunderstood Tale of Mary and Joseph

I was a reserved student, placed in a classroom with a no-nonsense, strict teacher. Then came the day my name appeared on the blackboard.

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Unraveling the Tapestry: Exploring the Twists and Turns in the Christmas Narrative

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Nov 19, 20232 min read

Unraveling the Tapestry: Exploring the Twists and Turns in the Christmas Narrative

I set up my Christmas tree and soon discovered an unexpected twist in my decorating plans.

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Finding God in the Tattered Pages of Life

Joni Lynn Schwartz

Nov 12, 20232 min read

Finding God in the Tattered Pages of Life

The other day I stumbled across one of my old Bibles – duct taped together, pages torn and tattered, verses highlighted.

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