There are so many bible passages that speak to this: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Psalm 46:1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever – present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…” John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” The list could go on and on but those are some good ones to keep in mind. The passages above, really point to when you are having a stretch of bad luck, but there is another situation that can’t be forgotten either, which is what to remember when we are having the best luck in the world: Psalm 7:17 “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.” Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” 1 Chronicles 16:35 “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” I think most can agree with me when I say life is not easy. There are many obstacles to get around and we all know Satan won’t pass up a chance to get us to fall away in those hard times. Remembering that what you may be going through at this particular time, it will pass good or bad. Having faith and trusting in God that the events happening in your life is for your good and he already knows what will happen in the long run. So if you should remember any passage from this remember the following and stay close to Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Picture found at http://www.thankgodforjesus.org/thanksgiving-thanking-god-always/ ![]() Holly Holm is a Resident Assistant as well as the Intern here at New Beginnings. She is pursuing her BS degree in human social services and will be graduating this December.
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Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that God’s mercy stretches into our inner struggles as well. No matter how badly we mess up, or the number of mistakes we’ve made, God’s mercy provides for us, lifts us up, and carries us through. May God grant you a glimpse into the immensity of his mercy and love for you, and may it fill you and carry you through whatever life throws at you! Above photo from http://inhabitat.com/kentucky-noahs-ark-encounter-opens-amidst-severe-flooding/ “Take the world, but give me Jesus! All its joys are but a name. But his love abides forever, Through eternal years the same. Oh, the height and depth of mercy; Oh, the length and breadth of love! Oh, the fullness of redemption, Pledge of endless life above!” (CW, 355) ![]() Lezlie España is a summer RA who recently graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a BS in Psychology and Computer Science. She is currently working at the Medical College of Wisconsin in the Brain Injury Research Program. All the time is the perfect time to praise our Lord God Almighty.
When I wake up in the morning, before checking my email, or turn on the television to catch the news and weather, I could say my praises to God. Though you probably want to find your own praises, the ones that mean the most to you personally, here are a few you could use: “I praise you because you are a loving God, whose very nature is love…” This praise is in reference to 1 John 4:16 which says "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." “Lord, I praise you, who is just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus…” This praise is in reference to Romans 3:26 which says "he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." “I praise you, Lord, for you are my mighty rock, my refuge…” This praise is in reference to Psalm 62:7 which says "My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge." Since God is the God of everything, let’s praise him, at all different times, everyplace, and in the midst of everything. ![]() Karen O'Leary is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She has her BA in Bible Theology and her Masters of Divinity. She has 8-years of experience as a Social Director at a non-profit organization helping those in crisis with financial assistance, brief supportive counseling, and being a spiritual presence in their time of need. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.
Our moms here at New Beginnings had plans too. They were perhaps planning on continuing the struggle to support themselves, to find yet another shelter who would take them in, or perhaps they had no plan at all and was just living day to day in an effort to survive. What a wonderful thing that God’s Plan brought them to New Beginnings! Each mother now has a safe and stable place to have her baby. They learn new skills and hear God’s Word daily. The mothers here are gaining an education to get a degree and will then be able to find a job to be able to support themselves. I’m sure that being a young, single mom with no place to go was not in their plans but according to God’s Plan, it brought them here to make a New Beginning. How has God changed your plans? In the comments section below, let me know how God has led you to where you are now? ![]() Christina Pritzlaff is married with two children. She has completed Early Childhood 1 & 2 classes, Infant Toddler classes, and completed the coursework for her Associates degree in Child Development. Christina splits her time between spending time with her family and working at New Beginnings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, fishing, reading, and doing counted cross-stitch. As Home Manager, I am often asked, “What does a typical day look like for you?” I will be honest and say that I have an entirely difficult time answering that question. I walk into work each day wondering what tool I will pull out of my tool belt that day! I have a list of expertise to add to my resume including: counselor, mentor, supporter, painter, interior decorator, schedule master, and most recently, expert grill assembler. I am beyond thankful for the many tools God has equipped me with - I will not get bored anytime soon! Along with balancing various tasks, comes a responsibility to prioritize, uphold patience, and use time wisely. Ultimately, it is a balancing act.
What tools has the Lord equipped you with in your job, daily life, or relationship? Please feel free to share in the comment section below. I would be thrilled to hear from you! ![]() Brianne Kluge is the Home Manager at New Beginnings. She grew up in Marshall, WI and graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School. Brianne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In her free time, she enjoys singing, camping, refurbishing furniture and spending time with her fiancé, Daniel. “There are two days you can’t do anything about, yesterday and tomorrow, all you have is today, and today is going to be a great day.” - Celine Dion. The Apostle Paul said “… but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead”… (Phil. 3:13 AMP).
The reason Jesus died for our sins is because we have them, we are not perfect, and we fail many ways. That’s why we need a Savior. As believers, we stand in our forgiveness, we are freed from our past failures and sins through the blood that was shed for us on the cross at Calvary. ![]() Karen O'Leary is an Assistant Home Manager at New Beginnings. She has her BA in Bible Theology and her Masters of Divinity. She has 8-years of experience as a Social Director at a non-profit organization helping those in crisis with financial assistance, brief supportive counseling, and being a spiritual presence in their time of need. In her free time Karen enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.
What does all of this mean? Well, according to Luther’s Catechism it means that baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word. Luther also answers the question “What does such baptizing with water mean?” He answered “Such baptizing with water means that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts; and that a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” Baptism truly is a great blessing. What a wonderful God we have that blesses us this way through the Holy Spirit! ![]() Christina Pritzlaff is married with two children. She has completed Early Childhood 1 & 2 classes, Infant Toddler classes, and completed the coursework for her Associates degree in Child Development. Christina splits her time between spending time with her family and working at New Beginnings. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, camping, fishing, reading, and doing counted cross-stitch. Everyone can name things about themselves that they don’t like. The time we spend analyzing those qualities that we don’t like can be never-ending. It is easy to stand in front of a mirror and critique ourselves. “If only I was smarter, then I wouldn’t have to spend so much time on studying.” “If I was a more natural disciplinarian, my children would behave better at school.” “I’ve gained so much weight, I don’t even want to be seen in public.” Whether it is weight, grades, athletic ability, or negative personality qualities, everyone has a list of things that they want to change about themselves. Why do we have such negative views about ourselves? First of all, everyone naturally compares themselves to others. When we see someone who has a great quality, we admire and focus on that. While we’re concentrating on how great they are at that specific thing, we neglect seeing anything else about them that they might need to improve. Another reason might be that our society says that we should not only appear perfect, but our perfection should also seem effortless. No matter what your flaws are, hating yourself is not healthy. Focusing on your flaws and hating yourself isn’t something that God wants. Everyone does have positive and negative qualities, but we are all blessed that God made us so wonderfully. He created us the way that we are for a purpose, and that purpose is to utilize our gifts and live for Him. Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Leah Whitson is a junior Human Social Services major at Wisconsin Lutheran College, and the Resident Support Intern here at New Beginnings. After college she plans to pursue a Master's in Social Work, and one day she hopes to use her experience at New Beginnings as a good foundation . During her free time Leah likes to travel, play with her dogs, and spend time with her fiancé.
New Beginnings is such an amazing program, and I feel blessed to be a part of it. Every day I am blessed with the opportunity to watch new mothers grow closer to Christ, learn new parenting skills, and advance their education. The blessings, however, are often laced with bumps along the way. One of the most valuable concepts I took away from the conference is that New Beginnings is NOT alone in the struggles we face when working with single, generationally-poor mothers. If the difficulties of doing God’s work ceased to exist, then we would know that we are not doing enough. With growth comes resistance, hardship, and even fear, but it is our job to help each mother recognize her strength and ability to blossom. Is change scary? Yep. New Beginnings can confirm, however, that sometimes the most difficult events in our life help us to flourish the most! So I say it again: we are not a finishing school. I have never heard someone say, “I have too much knowledge.” What a great reminder that we all have the opportunity to grow; all we need is a little water and sunshine, and a lot of perseverance and guidance from Christ. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18) ![]() Brianne Kluge is the Home Manager at New Beginnings. She grew up in Marshall, WI and graduated from Lakeside Lutheran High School. Brianne has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In her free time, she enjoys singing, camping, refurbishing furniture and spending time with her fiancé, Daniel. For the past 10 weeks, I have had the awesome opportunity to spend almost every Thursday evening with the great people at New Beginnings as part of my nursing clinicals for public health nursing. While here, I have been able to participate in some great activities and discussions. One activity planned for me was to provide health education to the group for two of my sessions. Last week was the first one! After discussing with the residents and staff about what topics might be interesting, I decided to talk about nutrition. Everyone who was present, myself included, was at a different stage of life; whether it was never having had a baby, being pregnant now, having just had a baby, or having had a baby a several months ago. So, I focused the information around nutrition at all of these stages: Nutrition in pregnancy, nutrition in postpartum, nutrition for infants, and nutrition for women at all stages of life. Together, we had a great discussion about how to take care of our bodies by eating well! One of my favorite parts of every visit to New Beginnings is that we have a group Bible story and devotion after dinner. Since my first day here, we have been working through Jesus' life on earth. These devotions are great for all included -- I love (and need!) the chance to review these incredible stories, and even learn some new facts! ![]() The devotion and nutrition discussion -- though they may not seem connected -- actually go hand-in-hand, and it's perfect that we had one right after the other. We often think of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle to be good things, but earthly things. And yes, ultimately they are earthly things simply because they are not things we will have to worry about in heaven. But while we are still here on earth, we need to remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and ought to be treated as such. When we learn something new about modern medicine and science, it's so exciting because of the possibility to better care for bodies that have been injured or sick. If we are willing to go so far for injured or sick bodies, why not healthy bodies, too? We should not only clean up the mess and rebuild after the temple has begun to fall. We should work every day to keep it in its strong, beautiful state. It's God's desire that we honor Him with our bodies in every way, every day. Keep yourself healthy, and keep your temple strong! Rachel Kelly is a senior level nursing student at Wisconsin Lutheran College. She has been working at New Beginnings to fulfill her Public Health Nursing clinical. She currently lives in Milwaukee and works as a nursing assistant at Froedtert Hospital, and will be getting married this October. Rachel is excited to graduate in May, and is looking forward to continuing her career at Froedtert Hospital shortly thereafter.
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