Son-shine on Your Shoulders

Happy Son-Day!!! Autumn Colors in Full Bloom You will always find Good News here.  Alebrijes - Mexican Folk Art We Are the Champions of the Marginalized Marginalized: People who are pushed to the edge of society and don’t have the same access to opportunities, resources, or power as others. Last week, I shared that SNAP benefits (formerly known as Food Stamps or EBT) were at risk of ending by the end of this month. Unfortunately, that risk is now becoming reality.  WIC benefits (Women, Infants & Children) are also expected to end sometime in November. WIC is a federal nutrition program that provides healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services for eligible families. And next on the chopping block? TANF cash assistance (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) or in Minnesota, MFIP – Minnesota Family Investment Program. To put this into perspective, here’s what families in Minnesot...

HAPPY SON-DAY! Perfect Weather for Open Windows at Night You will always find good News Here It's Harvest Time - Let's Go Feed Her Composure in Exasperation If you haven’t heard, the federal government shutdown has quietly triggered the suspension of SNAP and WIC benefits for 42 million Americans, including over 440,000 Minnesotans, effective November 1. These programs are critical lifelines for families who rely on them to put food on the table every day. In Minnesota, the ripple effects are already being felt. Food shelves across the state are experiencing a surge in demand as families scramble to find alternative sources of support. The shelves are thinning, and the lines are growing longer. For those already living on the edge, this isn’t just a political issue, it’s a breaking point. The emotional toll is profound. Imagine the moment when you realize there’s nothing left in the pantry, and no help is coming. It’s the deep sigh, the hands thrown up in disbelief, the quiet m...

Good Son-Day!! Looking to do a hayride, who is with me? You will always find Good News here! Load Bearing Beam - A Word to the Weary  (Family Leaders) The Fantastical Feast! Today's message Who you are;  a . . . Load Bearing Beam: A load-bearing beam is a structural element in a building or structure that supports weight from above and transfers it down to the foundation or other supporting elements. These beams are essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of a structure. Key Characteristics: Supports vertical loads from floors, roofs, or walls above it. Transfers weight to columns, walls, or the foundation. Cannot be removed or altered without proper structural support or reinforcement. The role of a family leader is honorable, rewarding, invigorating, and at times exhausting. This role spans many areas: financial, emotional, spiritual, advisory, parental, and even community leadership. It carries immense responsibility and pressure. But Scripture offers both enc...

Good Son-day on a Monday For Jo and I a few more days of good fishing You will always find Good News here! Thai Time Vulnerable Strength Regrettably, I missed the entire run of ABC’s “ Black-ish” while it was in production. I kept telling myself, “I have to catch an episode,” but I never did. Now that it’s in syndication, I’m still saying the same thing. The clips I’ve seen on social media have been relatable, hilarious, and thought-provoking. I recently came across a clip from the show set during a grandfather-father-son retreat. The oldest son was crying, grieving the loss of a girlfriend. Unbeknownst to him, his father and grandfather were secretly observing. The curmudgeonly, old-school grandfather urged his son to speak to the boy about his public display of emotion. The father then approached his son and urged him to stop crying, insisting that men shouldn’t express themselves that way. The son responded, “Please look me in the eye. It’s just you and me right now. I kno...