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What’s that there in your eye? A log? 

I was reminded of an age-old, but also important, adage at the poker table recently: You can’t judge a book by its cover. And that’s a vital reminder about human relationships. Yes, even for us pastors! If you would allow me to digress for just a moment: The thing most people who don’t play tournament poker don’t understand is that it can consist of hours upon hours of sheer boredom while you fold bad hand after bad hand, punctuated by seconds of scintillating excitement when you finally are dealt something of value that you can play. So, the key is: You gotta do something ...

Faith Briefs for Feb. 14

St. Mary’s youth group chili and soup supper St. Mary’s Cottonwood annual youth group chili and soup supper and silent auction will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. The menu includes chili, vegetable beef soup, potato soup. Freewill donation. Take-outs are available. Bidding for silent auction items ends at 6:30 p.m. Retreat for married couples Feb. 28-March 2 Come spend a weekend of prayer with your spouse at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center and Marian Shrine in Sleepy Eye, which has been designated a Jubilee Pilgrimage Site in this Holy Year 2025. The retreat is open to ...

Despair is for the privileged; pour yourself into someone instead

This week our large homeless shelter/food pantry organization held a winter “picnic” just to say thank you to our community which has resoundingly responded to support us in our hour of need these past six months. Everyone was invited for food, music and fellowship! Now admittedly, our organization is not entirely financially fixed, but we’re stable, and that’s a far cry better than where we were six months ago! And so we felt compelled to share the joy! At that event, one of our shelter’s guests approached to tell me how much he appreciated the work we’ve done to save ...

Black History Month events at SMSU

Southwest Minnesota State University will observe Black History Month with a series of events that include a documentary film, a poetry reading, and a featured speaker. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 7-9 p.m., SMSU Lower Conference Center, “The Brothers of Rondo” Film Features the impact of the I-94 construction on the Rondo Neighborhood of Minneapolis and the social justice activists who fought to save their community and way of life. There will be a panel discussion following the film. Light refreshments will be provided. If you are not able to join in person, you can register to watch ...

Loftness named a 2025 ExCEL Award recipient

Aliyah Loftness of Tracy Area High School was selected as 1 of only 36 juniors across the State of Minnesota to be selected as a 2025 ExCEL Award Recipient. Loftness will be recognized during halftime of the 2 p.m. girls basketball championship game on March 15. The ExCEL Award — Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership — is a unique recognition program designed exclusively for Minnesota high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. This award is sponsored by the League’s ...

Please listen! You are enough!

You are enough. I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but please know that you are beautifully created in the image of our Maker. And, as such, you are enough. You are loved, and you are vital to the larger fabric of all creation. You are needed to complete the rest of us! A curious thing happened to me while I was away working at a convention last week. One night, a few of us who were peripheral to the conference skipped the banquet as we had nothing at stake in the big event, and instead jumped in an Uber to headed to a local steakhouse. During the course of the ...