Blog - Kristina Lunde

January 27, 2026 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

A Jesus Appointment

A random stop in a small town surprised us with a Jesus appointment for conversation and prayer. As Minnesotans traveling to our grandchildren’s winter concert, my husband and I allowed extra time for the three-hour drive. Arriving early, we chose a local establishment to spend time before the high school music event. Not sure if the place was open on weekday afternoons, we hesitantly stepped into the dining area. After a warm welcome by the manager, we picked choice seats among the high-top tables. Once he brought us water glasses and menus, we were waited on by a friendly server. I immediately noticed her eyes—kind but sad.

The only customers there, we had the luxury of the server’s undivided attention and conversation. After some small talk, she apologetically asked if she could ask a personal question. We agreed, and she asked us how long we had been married. As an older couple on their second marriage, our answer to that question sometimes surprises people. Hearing our answer of thirteen years, our server continued with another apology and a few more questions.

This time she asked what we found important in our relationship and what we liked most about each other. Our answers were not eloquent or lengthy. Faith topped each of our priority lists for marriage. Her request to name an attribute we appreciated most about our spouse brought smiles and longer descriptions.

Once we engaged our server in the conversation, she shared that her name was L. Then she relayed details of serious events in her life: challenges of grief, trauma, divorce, and family dysfunction. Her transparency about so much pain saddened me, and I started silently praying.

After L walked back to the kitchen, my husband told me he felt God’s nudge to pray with her. When she returned to our table, L lingered longer as we spoke to her about Jesus. I spoke of Jesus’ death on the cross and the forgiveness He freely offers. I briefly mentioned my first husband’s sudden death and how God had comforted and helped me through all of that.

With a still-empty dining room, I asked if I could pray for her. My brief prayer asked Jesus to show L His love and draw her to Him for healing and forgiveness. She was teary-eyed, grateful, and hugged me afterward. By then, she had other customers to serve. Later when we paid our bill, we said a brief goodbye. I gave her another hug and promised to pray for her.

Now, my heart is committed to pray for L. I still pray to God for the things she shared with us: her emotions, pain, and family concerns. I pray that He gives L a thirst for Jesus and reveals Himself to her. May God use other Christians and His Word to bring His truth and knowledge to L.

Lord God, Thank you for our Jesus appointment with L. My heart aches for her and how much she needs you. Bring L to you, Lord. Fill in the gaps of what we said, so that she can fully understand who you are. Please meet L’s needs and show her how much you love her. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

December 31, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Christmas Insights to Last all Year

Lord of all creation, we celebrate the birth of your Son Jesus. Although King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus came to earth without human pageantry or celebrity recognition. From heaven’s throne to a stinky barn, He arrived seemingly unnoticed by anyone but His parents and farm animals. Yet an angel of the Lord shone with God’s glory and gave a prophetic birth announcement. The angels knew exactly who Jesus was and they broadcast it. No satellite signals to the entire planet. Instead, a multitude of the heavenly host lit up the sky, proclaiming God’s glory to rural shepherds.

Jesus, you broke every barrier, defied human conventions, and demonstrated your identity in unique ways from day one. The excitement of your birth, that we celebrate every Christmas, is commemorated in God’s miracles. So many glorious signs and wonders accompanied your birth: angel choirs, excited shepherds, a huge star, traveling academics, and royal baby gifts.

In contrast, Mary and Joseph might have focused on personal miracles, like their individual prophetic visits from angels. Other miracles included last-minute birth accommodations, visitors worshiping their newborn, and travel provisions given by wealthy strangers.

My Christmas Prayer

Lord God, teach me hospitality in your name. Guide me to recognize your work in other peoples’ lives. Let me speak your words of truth and hope to others. (Like Elizabeth welcomed and encouraged Mary in Luke 1:39-45.)

Please God, help me trust you when the night is dark, there is no place to rest, and pain comes upon me. (Like Mary and Joseph trusted you in Luke 2:6-7.)

Heavenly Father, make me faithful in worshiping and honoring you, especially in unexpected situations. (Like Mary glorified you in Luke 1:46-56 and the shepherds told others about you in Luke 2:9,15-20.)

Jesus, teach me to obey you and keep going. Show me how to follow your guidance, even when it involves sacrifice, danger, and detours. (Like the wise men obeyed you in Matthew 2:1-12).

Lord Jesus, just as you did for those who welcomed you as a baby, please teach me to trust and obey you. Help me to keep learning and applying those Christmas insights to my life, not just at Christmas but all through the new year. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

November 7, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Five Year Sadiversary: A Letter to Encourage You

Dear E,
This year I didn’t send you a sympathy card for the five year sadiversary of your husband’s death. I know you are all too aware of this date and your searing loss, but this is what I pray for you today.

I. Remember

Remember where you started five years ago today and what God did for you at that moment. Think back to that horrific day, when you saw T’s lifeless body and had to say goodbye. Ask yourself, where was God in the middle of that trauma? May God remind you of how He held you up. And that He gave you strength to absorb the truth and tell your four precious children. As you have learned, the mental journey backward is painful, but a necessary part of grief processing.

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “LORD, save me!” Psalm 116:1-4

II. Recognize

Recognize God’s comfort in your life, from that first shocking moment until today. Time and time again, God has met your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. May you see His hand on your life, as well as on your children’s lives. In the Old Testament, God repeatedly reminded the Israelites of how He had helped them. Similarly, may He help you recognize His interventions, comfort, and provision for you and your children these past five years.

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, LORD, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 116:5-9

III. Refresh

I am asking God to refresh you. Only He can comfort, heal, and refresh you in the way that you need. He created you and knows exactly how to encourage and guide you into your future. May the love of Jesus wrap you in His comfort and protection as you keep on living.

What shall I return to the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, LORD; I serve you just as my mother did; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD. Psalm 116:12-17

Hugs to you, dear E. We are friends who never would have met, if not for our experiences of grief and widowhood. I will never tell you to get over it or move on. Instead, I will keep praying and pointing you to Jesus, who loves you even more than T did. And that is a lot.

October 31, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Sunday School Strategy: Channel the Energy

“Please stop jumping on the wall!” That request makes no sense—unless you taught Sunday school where I did. What artist would paint a mural of a life-sized punching bag in a classroom for first-grade boys?! Other items were painted on the wall, but I only remember that punching bag. Every Sunday, the boys jumped sideways onto the punching bag, as if they thought the mural would bounce backwards. No, that did not channel the energy constructively. Instead of burning up energy, their sidekicks revved up their competitive juices.

During a particularly rambunctious Sunday school class, I sighed and looked through the narrow window on our door. I always chose to teach classes my children were not attending. But this time I wondered if my daughter’s first grade class would have been an easier choice. When I glanced across the hall, I saw my daughter and her friend jumping on the table. With a shudder, I turned back to the energetic but obedient boys who responded when asked to stop kicking.

Since that side-kicking year, I have tried to channel the energy and exuberance of kids in my classes. God gifts children with talents and attributes to deal with the life he designed for them. Faced with high-energy kids, one Sunday school teacher reminded herself of that by thinking, “Future youth pastor.” We don’t know God’s plan for these kids—that is why we need God’s help and guidance to teach them. As a Sunday School teacher, I try not to squelch kids’ exuberance, but nurture them and channel the energy instead. My job is to teach kids about Jesus, present God’s Word, and guide them in developing learning habits. Even if their energy overwhelms me.

“B, do a learning circle!” From one side of the small room, B ran around the table to identify the Bible book on a poster. The “learning circle,” as I called it, helped B connect the memory verse reference to the list of Bible books. When B felt particularly restless, I had him run two or three circles per lesson point. My goals included B’s comprehension across different information sources, plus burning off some energy. And not necessarily in that order of importance. B learned quickly, but spending some energy along the way seemed essential to help him focus.

Songs with hand motions are helpful to transition from distractions back to the lesson. Whether basic gestures for preschoolers or actual American Sign Language, hand motions help kids expend energy and learn songs. I am grateful for online resources where I can easily search for “Sunday school songs” or “hand motions.” Kids are quick to learn hand motions—often I am the slow one to catch on.

Other than songs, energy-siphoning lesson-focused activities include jumping jacks, marching, walking, and jump-roping. Jumping jacks can be challenging for kindergardeners, but by age 6 or 7, kids have mastered the skill. I like the simplistic directions to make an X, clap, and then make an I for a jumping jack. Along with marching, jump-roping provides an easy-to-follow, regular rhythm for reciting learned concepts or memorized Bible verses. This is especially true for repetitive verses like Luke 10:27 and Philippians 4:8. I practice the rhythm of the verse or concept on my own before we work on it as a group.

Don’t teach in a room with a punching bag mural. Although unique, I know that’s not much of a teaching strategy. Thankfully, God is an endless source for classroom help as I pray and follow His guidance. My ongoing challenge is to avoid squelching children’s God-given energy as I teach about Jesus. May God give us insight on helping children channel their energy into learning His Word.

September 30, 2025 by Kristina Lunde Leave a Comment

Praise before Please in Prayer

My prayers often start with my requests. Please, Lord, I need this. Lord, help me with this task. Please, God, do this for me. Yes, I usually add a please to my pleas, but I do not often praise before please. My needs prompt me to ask God first, pleading with Him for answers. But do I acknowledge the Lord of all creation who welcomes and hears my prayers?

Pray for my needs

My requests are often self-centered and self-serving. I ask God for what I have determined that I need and want. I balance my own equation of needs versus wants. But am I running that by my Lord and Savior, placing all requests in submission to His will? Am I letting God guide me so completely that I recognize His path and follow His purposes for me? Those are accountability questions that I need to answer if I am pursuing Jesus and His will for me.

Change my perspective

First of all, I need to determine who I am going to follow. If my top priority is Jesus, then my heart’s intent and life goals need to follow His will, not mine. Who determines my wants versus needs equation? Do I take charge of my needs or do I surrender them to God’s plan? Nothing wrong with presenting my needs to God, but my perspective must align with God’s Word and His will. If I pray for a new car out of jealousy over my friend’s car, I disobey the tenth commandment. Instead, God may have other purposes for the older cars we drive. For example, my husband and I enjoy a reputation as the “Engine Light Lundes” at our local automobile repair shop. We became friends with the owners and pray for them to know Jesus.

When my perspective aligns with God’s will, then I can realistically evaluate my wants and needs in consideration of the roles God has for me in this season. Sometimes, that means I need to respect and obey God when He gives a “no” answer to my prayer, especially when I do not understand the reasons. My vantage point then changes from a selfish outlook to God’s sovereign purposes.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Start with praise

Philippians 4:6-7 presents how to receive God’s peace as a solution for anxiety. Notice that thanksgiving goes along with bringing requests to God in prayer. Sometimes I focus on the supplication, petition (KJV), or “the ask.” The pain, need, or problem drives my prayer. But I can’t forget to thank my God, the omnipotent Lord of all creation, for blessings already given. Instead of starting with the please and pleading for my wants, I should start with praise for the One who hears. Put the praise before please. When I acknowledge His love for me, the salvation He provided, and what He means to me, that sets the tone for my prayer. I prayerfully reflect on God’s character, which helps me appreciate what He has already accomplished for me.

The ask should come after the realignment of my heart and mind. Praise first; then present my pleas. The wants seems so pressing at first. But when I examine them through the lens of God’s Word, He shows me His priorities. The Holy Spirit convicts me that some of my needs are actually sinful pursuits or selfish wants. When God’s lens zooms my attention in, I can set my sights on His plans. He knows the journey He walks me through, the places I need to be, and the work He has for me do.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NIV

Dear God, thank you for being my Savior and Lord. Teach me to pray with praise before please. Let me be so filled with praise for you, that honoring you comes first when I pray. Wipe out my selfish wants, so that my requests align with your will. Jesus, I want my heart, life, and actions to follow your plan, even if I don’t understand it. Let your Holy Spirit convict and strengthen me. Help me surrender to you—that is what I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.