Kristina Lunde, Author at Kristina Lunde

August 31, 2026 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

God’s Workmanship in Green Tree Leaves

In our short Minnesota summers, leaves arrive in spring and drop dead a few months later. Our leaves turn glorious colors in fall, but lately I’m focused on the green ones. Consider that trees, depending on their size, have hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of green leaves. So many species of trees exist, and God created their types of leaves in intricate detail. He could have created one type of tree with one type of leaf. He could have decided on one shade of green for all trees. Our Creator’s artistry across the range of a single color amazes me. Why would God create so much variety in something as seasonally transient as green tree leaves?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:1-2 NIV

God created the earth, starting with a formless, empty darkness. By His Word, life and growth came to the dark void. Difficult to conceptualize with our puny human understanding, God’s miracles at creation established the foundation of our world. From nothing came our Creator’s display of His power, artistry, and provision.

More than one aspect of creation can be found in green leaves. Not only did God create beautiful colors for leaves, but He instilled them with essential functions. Plants and leaves have a green pigment called cholorophyll which absorbs the sunlight. That light energy fuels photosynthesis, or the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose. God could have made one shade of chlorophyll green for photosynthesis. Instead, He provided a range of greens that are not only functional and efficient, but also beautiful. During photosynthesis, trees make glucose (i.e. sugars as their food) and give off oxygen as a byproduct. Our Creator designed the process to be interdependent. Tree leaves and plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, while humans do the opposite.

Besides oxygenation, those green tree leaves provide shade and shelter for humans and animals. But couldn’t they all be the same style and color? That still would have brought beauty to the world. But God created many variations of leaves, and different leaf styles between species. For example, evergreens have modified green leaves called needles that photosynthesize year-round. And the needles vary significantly in color and style between types of evergreens.

What if we look at green leaves as a display designed to reflect God’s glory and power? God’s artistry in green leaves reveals color variations according to light, sun position, water droplets, and temperature. What does that tell me about God? Not only the aesthetics of the leaves, but their shapes, purposes, and functions reveal God’s character. God protects and provides for animals with tree foliage. Our Creator’s purpose in photosynthesis gives humans oxygen from leaves. The complexity in His design of a short-lived leaf reinforces that God has purposes for all of His creation.

If God has detailed purposes for green leaves, how can I not trust His work in my life?! His coordinated design has purpose, even for the smallest—to my mind insignificant—details on this earth. Like the green leaves that cover His creation, in all their multiple variations of green.

No, green is not my favorite color. I most often overlook the color green in its summer abundance in our area. As I drive along tree-lined roads, tall trees stand sentry in all their green splendor.

Shimmering green leaves in the sunlight reflect the glory of God. God’s sovereign design in creation is on display. Green leaves remind me of my sovereign God and encourage me to praise Him for the gift of green leaves.

Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:12

Dear Lord, thank you for creating the many colors of green and displaying them throughout our world. Help me to recognize how creation reflects your artistic and purposeful workmanship. Remind me to praise you for what to me seems simple—like green leaves. Teach me to to honor and worship you for your majesty, provision, and blessing as revealed in your creation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

July 31, 2026 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

VBS Curriculum: A Volunteer’s Perspective

Summer is Vacation Bible School (VBS) season for many churches, including mine. Our VBS coordinator begins recruiting volunteers starting in spring. I always tell her that she can count on me to volunteer, but please don’t give me curriculum yet. (I need at least a week’s reprieve between Sunday school curriculum and VBS preparation.) Once I start reading the VBS curriculum, though, I get very involved in VBS prep. This year we used Tropical Trek 2026 from Concordia Publishing House, with the theme of “Jesus Comes to Seek and Save.” I had fun reading, working through, and prepping this excellent curriculum. No way could I teach this content as well without the depth and creativity that Concordia Publishing House developed.

Curriculum Overview

What a blessing to have Christ-centered, Bible-based curriculum created by child development and theological experts! The daily lesson sheets offered many teaching strategies: object lessons, unique presentation styles, question/answer sessions, and poems with hand motions. My goal for young children is to present kinesthetic styles of learning, not just get them to listen. I appreciate activities designed to involve the five senses. Getting kids to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch reinforces the concepts they learn. I am thankful for a curriculum that gave me many options for each day. My lesson rotation times were only 20 minutes each, but the curriculum provided enough daily materials for an hour-long class.

VBS Prep

Laid out on the coffee table, these were the VBS props needed for object lessons, costumes, and games. Some of the basic props I found at home, but I didn’t have kid’s stuff. I borrowed some props from our coordinator: stuffed angel, small cross, and baby doll that doubled as Moses and Obed. A raid of our church’s Christmas bins yielded Magi items (crown and treasure box), plus kid-sized shepherd costumes. (Nothing is more flexible for Bible costumes than the Christmas shepherd’s robes!)

My costuming supplies included a mustache made with black marker on masking tape, which I thought might help my presentation. (Yes, I added some of my own ideas to the lesson activities. Hard to convince kids I was Peter, though, when they noticed my real name tag sticking out of the costume.) VBS may be amateur-time for us craft-impaired, non-actor volunteers, but I am thankful that God uses willing hearts. And that He provides excellent curriculum.

Set up a treasure hunt in a room, said the lesson. Thankfully, I had a big room. And I loved the end result. Inside the box, the kids found that day’s memory verse: a reminder that God’s Word and His love are treasures. I love how this curriculum kept a Christ-centered and Bible-based focus throughout.

God’s Word Is the Treasure – Photo by Kristina Lunde

My son saw me drawing a treasure map and offered to use AI for a realistic version. After uploading my photos of the handmade map and silly poem, he gave AI verbal directions. The AI version looked vintage in color and had three dimensional details, but AI fell short. AI was unable to replicate my paths around the room. The repeated AI error printed out only part of the poem. I think I will stick to my homemade VBS props.

Hand-drawn vs. AI-assisted Treasure Map – Photo by Kristina Lunde

Overall Perspective

I am grateful for this year’s excellent Concordia Publishing House curriculum. Nowhere in the VBS paperwork are the authors, illustrators, or contributors cited. What humility, to work for the spread of the Gospel without credit or bylines. We are blessed to have the publishing team’s talents help us share Christ with our VBS kids.

Lord God, thank you for Concordia Publishing House and other VBS publishers who stay true to your Word. Please guide and encourage their Bible study, Christ-centered focus, and publication plans. Lord, let their hard work, creativity, and dedication bring many children—and adults—to know and love Jesus. In His name. Amen.

June 29, 2026 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

The Pile of Papers: Irritated or Grateful?

My editor recently challenged me to think of my pile of papers as something to be thankful for. That is not my usual approach. THE PILE represents time-consuming paperwork and procrastinated decisions that elicit my irritation, not gratitude.

THE PILE refers to my stacks of paperwork that accumulate. I open envelopes, cull junk mail, and recycle nonessential papers. I save and stack only important paperwork. But THE PILE still grows.

Eventually, I have to address the overflowing pile. Working through the pileof papers, I get irritated because it takes longer than expected. In my experience, gratitude and THE PILE have never mixed. My wise editor gave me this assignment, so I will try to face my paperwork with gratitude instead of irritation. After stacking my random expanding piles, I took the photo below as a start.

Lord God, thank you for THE PILE, this overwhelming pile of paperwork. Teach me to appreciate your blessings, like this comfortable place to sit and deal with my paperwork.

My book of prayer lists tops THE PILE. Dear Jesus, thank you for precious people I can pray for; help me to pray faithfully.

My Bible—what a gift that is, Lord. I can read it anytime, no one will take it away from me, and it is your true Word. Help me dig into your Word more often.

Recipe card for tonight’s dinner in my Mom’s handwriting. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for memories. My mother loved you so much and served her family without complaining. Teach me to be more hospitable and patient about serving others.

The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannan Martin (Nelson Books, 2018). She writes so many wise and challenging insights. Here are parts of her prayer from page 185:

“Oh Lord, remind us that what we really want is more of you. You show us what it means to remain where you have placed us with great purpose—
Show us the real way of worship, and grant us the guts to belong to each other when it’s hardest.
You are here, tuning our hearts to endurance, teaching us a love song for the long haul.
Help us to endure when we feel dog-tired. Have your way.” Shannon Martin

Lord, thank you for Shannan Martin’s inspiring book about living for you.

A pad of paper to write, make lists, and keep track of things. Dear God, thank you for little helps with my chores.

Vehicle recall notice—Lord, thank you that this car company will fix the rear subframe because it may corrode prematurely on de-iced roads. Thank you that someone figured this out and I can get it fixed before our snowy Minnesota roads next winter.

A Mother’s Day card that still makes me smile. Thank you, dear Jesus, for loved ones.

Church bulletin—Dear Lord God, thank you for our church. Thanks for events where we can serve you and sermon notes that challenge my attitude in serving you.

A self-help book—Lord, help me learn how to communicate with others, especially with those who see the world differently than I do. Motivate me to read and learn, especially the books that are Bible-based and give practical ideas.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) curriculum and posters—God, thank you that I get to serve little ones. Help me prepare thoroughly so that I can serve them with Jesus’ love.

A book to read and write a book review for my friend. Thank you, Lord, that B published her book series that honors you. It’s not my genre, but help me to write a good review for teens that need to read B’s work.

Health insurance paperwork—The premiums seem like a lot to pay, but thank you, Lord, for your provision for me in case of illness.

Donation receipts—Thank you, dear God, for blessing me far beyond my essential needs. Motivate me to give, so that I don’t selfishly keep your blessings to myself.

Lord, thank you for opportunities: new recipes to try, an upcoming seminar, and webinar notes from an interesting seminar.

My GriefShare workbook, leader’s guide, and training notes—Dear Jesus, thank you for this program that brings your comfort to grieving people, like it did for me. Bring the people you choose to our leadership team and guide us in scheduling and preparing for our next session.

Lord God, You have blessed me with guidance, direction, and purpose throughout this pile of papers. Help me to be grateful for the blessings represented by this paperwork. Teach me to love and serve you through the many opportunities you have given me. Forgive me for being irritated and complaining about being busy. I pray like Shannon Martin did: “even when I am dog-tired, have your way in my life.” In Jesus’ name. Amen.

May 29, 2026 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Deathly Fears in Light of Heavenly Promises

How do we cope with our future, the unanswered questions of what may come? Our deathly fears may include concerns about pain, suffering, unconsciousness, and the dying process. Death is a certainty that impacts all of us. When, where, and how are unknown aspects surrounding our inevitable end to this earthly life. The heavenly promises in God’s Word help shed light on the fears surrounding death. The biblical descriptions of eternity with Jesus help us fight the fears of death and dying.

What is our ultimate outcome?

Physical death is the unavoidable conclusion to earthly life. Although people may make changes to improve health and lifestyle, they cannot escape dying. Notice though, that the Bible gives us two instances when God took people without them dying. Enoch (Genesis 5:24 & Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) did not experience death on earth. So those two, plus the ones who are alive at Jesus’ second coming (1 Thessalonians 4:17), will not face death. But the rest of us can be certain of death as our life’s outcome. Yet God offers us more beyond that death.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

God’s son Jesus came in person, explaining His love and forgiveness of sins to all people. Jesus gave a personal invitation to eternal life for all who would choose to belong to Him.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

When we believe in Jesus, He offers forgiveness and eternal life with Himself and God the Father. After Jesus spoke of preparing a place in His Father’s house for believers (John 14:1-4), He explained the connection:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

What will heaven be like?

Heaven is also called life everlasting, paradise, eternal home, and the Promised Land. Interestingly, God created that longing for immortality within us.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

We may not fully understand God’s plan, but His Word presents aspects of eternal life with Him. One of my favorites describes what heaven will be like when sin and death are vanquished.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

How do we fight deathly fears with heavenly promises?

In Peter’s book, he writes of the day of the Lord, judgment, the new heaven, and the new earth. This is one verse that gives us hope for God’s promise of heaven:

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 2 Peter 3:13

But this is not a passive looking forward. Instead, we live confidently with God’s assurance of eternal security.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

The perspective of eternity with God helps us turn our hearts from deathly fears to God’s eternal glory in heaven.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Lord God, help us fix our eyes on You, fighting deathly fears with the promise of spending eternity with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

April 27, 2026 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

God’s Word Versus Our Deathly Fears

Death is an inescapable conclusion to this life. Although death’s outcome—cessation of physiological signs of life—is inevitable, the when and how details are often unpredictable. Yet isn’t death, albeit a serious outcome, one of the many unknowns that life presents?

As humans, we face life’s unknowns—over and over. Where do I go? What now? How will I get through this? What do I do when faced with life’s challenges? Just as I submit my current situations to God’s will, so I need to trust Him with future unknowns.

My transition from earth to heaven remains an unknown. What will my last days in this world look like? Cancer? Stroke? Car accident? Dementia-related decline? Will I find out in five, ten, or twenty years? Or will death surprise me in months, weeks, or even days?

A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. Job 14:5 NIV

How my earthly life will end, I cannot predict. But I trust the one true God who will be with me through dying, death, and my transition to heaven.

A cross may stand above my buried bones some day, or my remains may be scattered across the ground. No matter what happens to my body after I die, my soul’s certainty is because of the cross. My Savior Jesus Christ died on that cross, thereby saving me from my sins and the resulting eternal punishment. Jesus took the penalty of my sins—and the sins of all who believe in Him—to that cross. Jesus’ death on the cross makes all the difference to me, both in this world and the next. God’s Word tells me that because I believe in Jesus, I am assured of eternal life with Him in heaven.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

From Jesus on His cross to the repentant thief on a nearby cross:

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

That is my ongoing hope and future: to join my forgiving Savior in paradise when I die. I have no idea about God’s timing for my transition from earth to heaven. So my focus for now is to continue serving Jesus while I live on this earth.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Lord God, please teach me to submit everything to your will. Not just death, but help me trust your way in every unknown I face. I want to entrust my future, however long or short it may be, to your timing. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.