Grow

Wow. As many of you know, traditionally we post a blog relating to our newest line. This is to connect our thoughts on the Bible verse connected to it and give people a talking point if they were to see our product. However, it has been a few weeks since the launch of our newest line GROW, yet there has not been a blog posted. Here is why we have waited so long.

The Bible verse connected to this line is 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” Since the launch on March 18 , a lot has changed. As things continued to change, we came to realize that our current circumstances have called us to grow even more than we had originally thought. Each day seemed to bring more destruction, whether that be in the number of cases of COVID increasing or whether that be the feeling that the world was closing around us. No matter how much destruction seemed to creep in, we found ourselves finding more peace in life than we previously had. As crazy as that sounds to you, we thought the same. God has given us all this time to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, just as Peter said in t2 Peter 3:18. When will there be a time again where all material distractions aren’t there? What better time to recognize that God, who is gracious and loving, is in control of everything? He has a far greater plan for our world than any human could fathom. So in this time of uncertainty and anxiety, find peace in knowing that God is in control and He is ALWAYS with us. Spend time with your family, take a walk outside, and try to focus on the things God gives. Continue to GROW in the grace and knowledge of Christ amidst this time of fear. We have been given this opportunity to praise Him through the storm. To him be glory both NOW and FOREVER! Amen.

Love

With it new line LOVE, we thought it was only fitting to write this blog together. Much of what we do and who we are is rooted in love. The very essence and mission of Crown of Life is grounded in God, who is love Himself. With an example as great as He, how is it so hard for us to resemble love ourselves?

When we went to Anapra, we got a very clear picture of another level of love. As humans, it seems as though it would be easier to love when we don’t have to worry about basic needs, like food, water, clothing, shelter, etc. however, when we went to Anapra, we saw a different story. Even though they do have to worry about those basic needs, they show a love that is unimaginable. It really came as a shock to us, and made us reflect on our lives. Of course, don’t feel as though you have to throw all of your things away and not care for your basic needs. We aren’t saying those things are bad. But, why do we let these things get in the way of showing love to others?

You may have some answers to the question above that you may wrestle with. In all honesty, the reason is different for each person. We aren’t going to spend our time wrestling with the many reasons that distract us from loving others, for that list would be way too long. What we do want to note is how great the love of God shown through the people in Anapra and how he shines through us just the same. In John 15:13, it says “There is no greater love than this, to lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus’ death on the cross is the greatest display of love that has ever been shown. Because of that, we have the joy of living eternally with Him. What better way to rejoice than to try and show that same love to others? Now, don’t go laying your life on the line. That’s not what we are saying. Maybe try and stop for a moment. Notice the people around you. See what you can do for them, no matter how small it may be. Hold the door open for them, pay for their meal, say hi to them in passing, or even give them a smile. Whether or not you have our new LOVE shirt, we hope to remind you to LOVE others. Strive to LOVE as Christ loves us. 

God’s Blessings, 

Kiah and James

Joy

Have you ever just sat and counted your blessings? I feel as if people do not do that as often as they should, me included. When I was preparing to write this blog post on JOY, I couldn’t help but count my blessings. Even in the midst of finals for school, a time that can be very stressful for any student, I still managed to see where God has blessed me and It is quite overwhelming if I am being honest.

The verse for our JOY line is Psalm 16:11b which say’s “in your presence there is fullness and JOY”. As Christians we are taught that God is always with us, so the question remains, if we are always in God’s presence, then why are there times when we aren’t joyful? Now, call me over analytical, but I think this is a very important question. It goes hand in hand with the “Why do bad things happen to good people?” question. That question, however, is a conversation for another time. But taking a deeper look at the verse, it is undeniable that God brings JOY no matter what the circumstance. Spending time in Anapra with my Ysleta Lutheran Mission was a perfect picture of what this verse is saying. The people there have little compared to what I have, yet they had much more JOY than I had. It really made me stop and think. These people get JOY out of the simple blessings that God gives them. What brings me JOY? What brings you JOY?

This holiday season, I would encourage everyone to count their blessings. Taking a deeper look at what you have truly can be an eye-opening experience, and it makes you appreciate the simple blessings that God has given all of us. Like the people of Anapra, we should find JOY out of the presence of God!

God’s Blessings,

James Switch

Thankful

Isn’t life crazy? I mean I find it so easy to get caught up in all of the tasks for the day that before I know it, I’m back in my bed recharging for the next day. A lot of the times, the day goes by so fast that I don’t remember what happened that same morning! While some may read this and think ‘well, that’s a typical college student life’, I feel as though it is true for many other people too. Life is just crazy.

However, what I have come to realize the past few years is that it is so easy to take things for granted when you live life like that. You know that saying, ‘You don’t appreciate it until it’s gone’? I found that ringing true in my everyday life. By going through the motions and preparing for the next day, I missed a lot of what the present day had to offer. So, what I’ve been trying to do is take the advice from Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. He says, “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 

What I find amazing is that the people in Anapra whom Yselta Lutheran Mission supports never fails to follow through on Paul’s command. That’s one of the things I find so inspiring about them. As people, it is easy for us to look at others and think that we are the ones who need to help them. We have more, so that means they need help reaching the same. What we don’t realize is that even though they may have ‘less’, they are thankful for the ‘more’ that they have every day. My mission trip leader always said, “Don’t go down with the mindset that we are trying to ‘fix’ them. They don’t need that. Instead, you will be amazed by how much they ‘fix’ you.”

Because of that, I am trying to focus on what I am thankful for EVERYDAY. It’s actually easier than you think once you start. Instead of going through the motions and waiting for the next day, I focus on what today has to offer. You never know what life is going to throw at you, so enjoy what you have when it is there and before it is gone. The craziness of life can really take a toll on you, but God has provided us with so many things that often go unnoticed because of it. So, hopefully our new line does the same for you as it does for me. It serves as a reminder to focus on what I am THANKFUL for, what God has provided me this day, and to never take the little things for granted.

God’s Blessings,

Kiah Bakken

Persevere

Have you ever felt stuck? Or maybe even overwhelmed by so much that you feel like you are immobile and you don’t know what to do next? I don’t know about you, but that has been the definition of my life in the past few weeks. A couple weeks ago, I started my junior year of college. Wow, let me tell you, people are right when they say that junior year is the hardest year yet. I find myself sitting in each class completely overwhelmed with all of the projects and assignments that are due. But a couple of days ago, I got a call. This call completely changed my perspective on my feelings of being overwhelmed. So, let me tell you a story.

As some of you might know, Crown of Life is a business that is centered around giving back to a mission called Ysleta Lutheran Mission in El Paso, Texas. Since starting this business, I have been in contact with the director of the mission. After hearing of our plans, the director told me that he wanted to give me a call. As my phone rang that day, I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous. Nervous that he wouldn’t accept our plans. Nervous that everything would fall through. Just nervous. 

During that call, the director of the mission shared that we were essentially a small answer to their prayers. Recently, Ysleta has been going through a severe financial crisis. Their church is falling apart, they can only give minimal support to the church across the border, and their mission stands at a point where they can only have a total of 4 people on staff. What was strange to me is that as he was telling me all of this, he ended with “we have to continue to pray and remember who we serve. We serve so that others may hear the Word of God, and to us, that is priceless.” 

After that call, I came to realize how silly I look. How can I be THIS overwhelmed by school? Why haven’t I put my strength in God? As I continued to think, I decided to take a look back at the foundation of why James and I started Crown of Life. In the first chapter, James tells us to “count it all joy”. Count all your trials (homework, deadlines, projects, etc.) and hardships as joy and remain steadfast in the Lord through all of it. Those who do so will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. As easy as that may sound, that is a hard task. Our line, Persevere, hopes to serve as a reminder to do just that. To hold fast to the truth and stay focused on what really matters.

With that, thank you for supporting Crown of Life and journeying with us through this new adventure. While it may not be easy, we are looking forward to the opportunity to grow and learn together both in our relationship with each other and our relationships with God. 

We hope you enjoy our first line, PERSEVERE and keep your eye out for the next one!! Until then, COUNT IT ALL JOY!

God’s Blessings,

Kiah Bakken