Finding My Way -LeSueur Area Healing and Recovery Ministries

11/21/2025

Make the barn part of your Christmas!

11/20/2025

Field Notes for the Wilderness is a book by Sarah Bessey that provides practices for an evolving faith, written for those who are questioning their beliefs and seeking a way to reconnect with Christianity. The book offers guidance through themes like practicing wonder and curiosity, showing self-compassion and empathy, and making space for lament. It also includes advice on finding spiritual teachers and discovering one's purpose. The book uses the "wilderness" as a metaphor for a journey of questioning and deconstruction, offering comfort and companionship to those on this path.
Core themes and practices
Practicing wonder and curiosity: Viewing wonder and curiosity as spiritual disciplines to foster a deeper faith.
Self-compassion and empathy: Encouraging readers to "mother" themselves with compassion and empathy, especially during difficult times.
Lament and righteous rage: Making space for negative emotions like grief and anger as a valid part of the faith journey.
Finding good spiritual teachers: Guidance on identifying and learning from trustworthy mentors.
Discovering purpose: Helping readers figure out their life's purpose and move in that direction.
The "wilderness" metaphor
The "wilderness" represents a journey away from the certainty of a traditional faith, a place that can be confusing and lonely.
It is a space for deconstructing old beliefs and rebuilding a new faith that honors questions and doubts.
The book acts as a companion for this journey, providing "field notes" of practices and principles.
What the book offers
A table for questions: A place to bring one's questions without judgment.
A shepherd for curiosity: Guidance from someone who has also experienced an evolving faith.
Tools for cultivating what you crave: Practical advice for building the faith life you desire.
A blessing for what was: A way to acknowledge and find peace with what has been left behind

The fall session of our Adult Book Study is wrapping up. If you are looking for a post-holiday activity, consider joining the winter session. Book Study starts January 7. Everyone welcome. Reach out to the church office or Dianne for more details.

11/19/2025

November 19 is International Men's Day.

Today, we can also affirm that men can be vulnerable, can cry, and remind men that its ok not to be ok.

Share these words to help raise awareness.

11/12/2025

https://namimn.org/education-and-public-awareness/classes/https-namimn-org-education-and-public-awareness-classes-all-scheduled-classes/ #:~:text=In%20Our%20Own%20Voice%20(IOOV,30%20pm%0AZoom%20registration%20link

In Our Own Voice (IOOV)

Understand the journey of people with mental illness in recovery. IOOV is a unique public education program in which two trained speakers share compelling personal stories about living with a mental illness and achieving recovery, demonstrating that there is hope for recovery for people with mental illnesses. The presentation includes personal stories and video clips, as well as offering an opportunity to ask questions. The IOOV program has touched many lives and is effective in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. This class is for any groups interested in learning more about mental illnesses and recovery.

Monday, November 17: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Zoom registration link
Thursday, December 4: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Zoom registration link

11/12/2025

Family-to-Family

Family-to-Family is an 8-session educational program for family, loved ones, and friends of a teen or adult living with a mental illness; it is not intended for individuals who are living with a mental illness themselves. It is an evidenced-based program that improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person living with a mental illness. Led by trained family members who have been there, this program provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises, as well as support and connection among peers.

Thursdays, January 8, 2026 – February 26, 2026: 6:30 – 9:00 pm
Zoom Registration Link: To register, contact the class leader Cecelia at calaurie78@gmail.com or 205-292-5242 to ensure the class is a good fit. You will receive the Zoom link to join the class upon being accepted into the class.

11/10/2025

Maybe you should take the altar call today.
Matthew 11:28

11/04/2025

We check our phones over 100 times a day—sometimes without even realizing it. For many of us, it’s where we work, connect, unwind, and even seek comfort. But what happens when the tool starts to shape the one using it?

It’s easy for technology to shift from something helpful to something that subtly rules our time, attention, and sense of worth. The endless scroll becomes noise. The notifications become pressure. The highlight reels of others start to feel like quiet reminders of what we lack.

But our devices don’t have to own us. They can serve us. We can pause before we open an app. We can choose to text a friend instead of doomscroll. We can take a walk before turning on our video games or streaming services. We can reclaim our attention from the noise and give it back to God.

This prayer is for anyone who’s noticed how easy it is to lose balance with tech. You’re not alone in that.

Take a breath. Ask God to help you use technology—not be used by it.

𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
“Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
God of freedom and truth, we spend so much time with our screens. We scroll when we’re tired, we tap when we’re lonely, we refresh when we’re restless. We don’t always know what we’re looking for, but it’s rarely you. Help us remember that our devices aren’t bad—but they aren’t meant to be our only comfort either. Teach us to notice what draws us in, and what it costs. Teach me to use it in ways that build connection, not comparison; that bring peace, not pressure. Give us grace to set boundaries, wisdom to rest, and courage to be present. Slow our scrolling, Lord. Remind us that real life is right here—with you, and with the people you’ve given us to love. Amen.

Want to learn more about creating healthy boundaries with your tech? Comment “tech” to order our free Bible Study!

11/03/2025

Friend, we get it. Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it's easy to get caught up in self-doubt.

Especially when our minds constantly want to keep a tally of every mistake we’ve ever made and hyperfocus on the things we feel are wrong with us. Whether it’s after a harsh performance report at work, a tough parent-teacher conference, or a missed appointment, it can be hard to extend grace to ourselves when we place an enormous weight of perfection on our shoulders.

Maybe you find yourself thinking:

"I just keep messing everything up."

"No matter what I do, it feels like I fail."

"I can't seem to get anything right."

"I feel like I disappoint everyone."

Oh, friend, you are none of these things, and you are not defined by your mistakes or missteps.

2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that God’s grace is sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in weakness. Our imperfections do not diminish our worth; rather, they remind us of our need for grace.

So today, if you are feeling the weight of negative self-talk, allow it to point you to a God who loves you and sees you as so much more than your mistakes. Cling to the truth that He’s not expecting perfection from you. You can call on Him to give you strength to see yourself the way He sees you, and you can trust that your path is secured.

Leave an “amen” if you needed this encouragement today!