Category: Spiritual Development

Renewal: A Holy Week Devotional

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Renewal.

Spring is a time of rebirth. Creation is reborn after a long, cold winter and our spirit seems to blossom from the long hours of darkness the winter season brings. It’s a time of refreshing for us physically as well. Each year, we celebrate this renewal in spirit, mind and body. We are awakened to the newness of all the season brings.

Easter. It’s a time to remember and celebrate all things new. New life. New hope. Renewed faith. And for all of this, in this Holy Week, leading us to Easter, we remember and reflect on this renewal.

In this devotional guide for 2025, we hope you will take a few moments each day of Holy Week to join us in a time of reflection, a time to renew your spirit as we prepare for our greatest celebration as Christians – Easter – and all that it means to us. We have been accepted by the God of all creation. By His grace and through our faith in Him, we have been forgiven of our past, present and future through His Son, Jesus and the price He paid on the cross. That, dear friend, is reason to celebrate!

This Holy Week, we invite you to focus on your faith, the grace of Jesus, the hope of His return, and renew your spirit as we move toward Easter. It’s a time of renewal. Welcome! There’s room for all of us at His table as we respond to His grace through faith.

A Spiritual Guide to Prepare You for Easter

From the Spiritual Development Office of the YMCA
Download the Devotional

Our Y’s Missionary Family Making an Impact

Posted on by Kate Haslar

While many Ys focus on local outreach, we took our mission international, making us one of the few Ys to offer mission trips and sponsor a full-time missionary.

The Y’s mission trips were born from a simple yet powerful question: “What can we bring to this community that they don’t already have? A different worldview.” That mindset shaped the Y’s commitment to service beyond our local communities.

Karlee (Webb) Mendoza began her journey with the Y in 2016 as our Youth and Teen Director. After two mission trips to Esperanza Viva (EV), a Christian youth home and orphanage in Puebla, Mexico, Karlee felt called to serve there full-time. With guidance from the Y’s Director of Spiritual Development, Bruce Osborn, the Y officially commissioned her as a missionary with Living Hope in 2020.

Since then, Karlee has served in Puebla, first as an English teacher and now as head of marketing, sharing the impact of Living Hope’s work. “What I love about Living Hope is that they never stop,” Karlee says. “Like the Y, they are always looking into the community—what’s the need?”

In 2022, Karlee married Erick Mendoza, whose journey at EV began as a teenager. Feeling called to serve, Erick returned as a full-time missionary and now teaches physical education at Nations School, on the campus of Esperanza Viva. “I always felt called to be a pastor, but during my first week at Nations School, I realized something—when I’m with the kids, teaching, that’s where I can make a real impact,” Erick shares, “When I see the kids smile and enjoy their time in class, it inspires me to keep following and serving God the way He has called me.”

Now serving as a missionary family, Karlee, Erick, and their young son, Ezekiel, are surrounded by the love of the children at EV, whom they consider family. Expecting their second child in April 2025, they plan to put down roots by building a home in Puebla by Esperanza Viva.

Since launching its global mission efforts in 2018, the Y has sent multiple teams to Esperanza Viva. Karlee and Erick feel like an extension of the Y family, and every time a Y team visits, that bond strengthens. For those considering a mission trip, Karlee encourages: “Just do it. Sign up—God has something bigger planned than you can imagine. Once you experience it, it changes your world”

As Karlee and Erick continue their journey, they remain deeply grateful. “Over the past several years, God has provided every step of the way and made it abundantly clear this is where we are supposed to be,” Karlee shares.

“What I love about Living Hope is that they never stop,” Karlee says. “Like the Y, they are always looking into the community—what’s the need?”

Learn more about Mission Trips at the Y
Learn more about the Mendoza's ministry

Advent Devotional 2024

Posted on by Kate Haslar

A Season of Light

The celebration of the Advent, the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ, is nothing new to Christianity. Many scholars believe it originated in Europe sometime in the 4th and 5th centuries after Jesus returned to heaven. The word, Advent, comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” And it’s this “coming” that Christians remember and celebrate each Christmas season. It’s the coming of our Lord. It’s a time of preparation. It’s a time of remembering and celebrating all we have in Him. And what we have in Christ is the hope that He will redeem all that has been broken, in our world and in our own lives.

This season, as you celebrate all that we have in Christ, remember the hope he gives. Focus on peace that comes to your soul as a child of our most high God. Spread joy. And be channels of His great love to a world that needs it most.

Explore Advent with A Season of Light, our Advent devotional. Throughout the month, let the ideas in our Advent Kindness Calendar inspire you to shine a light of kindness in your family, neighborhood, and community.

Get a hard copy at the Y or download the pdf.

Download the Advent Devotional
Download the Advent Calendar

“The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Strengthen Your Spirit, Mind, and Community

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Join the YMCA 20-Day Gratitude Challenge

November 18 – December 13

Between an intense political cycle, fall colds and flu season beginning, and impending holidays, it’s easy to become stressed and lose focus on what’s important. The Y works to strengthen the community through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, which is why we’re sharing our 20-Day Gratitude Challenge outside of our walls and with the larger community.

This four-week journey is dedicated to embracing gratitude, cultivate well-being, connection, and positivity within our community and everyone is invited to participate. With the season of giving and thanks upon us, now is the perfect time to reflect on what makes life meaningful and to find joy in the small moments we might otherwise overlook.

Why a Gratitude Challenge?

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to promote mental and emotional well-being. Studies show that consistent gratitude can reduce stress, improve mood, and even enhance physical health by promoting better sleep and encouraging a positive mindset. Through daily reflection, the Gratitude Challenge can help us shift our focus from everyday stressors to life’s small blessings, boosting resilience and perspective.

How It Works

The 20-Day Gratitude Challenge is simple and accessible for everyone. Here’s the plan:

1. Five Minutes, Five Days a Week: Each weekday, set aside just five minutes to write down what you’re grateful for. We’ll provide prompts each week to guide you.

2. Weekly Reflection Sheets: At the end of each week, turn in your completed gratitude sheet at the front desk to earn reward points and be entered into our grand prize drawing for a free month of YMCA membership.

3. Build Momentum with Weekly Themes: Each week, we’ll introduce a new theme to inspire reflection, such as gratitude for small joys, personal growth, and community support.

Throughout the challenge, you’ll experience the power of gratitude and have the chance to earn rewards while sharing the journey with fellow Y members. The more weeks you complete, the more entries you’ll receive for our grand prize drawing!

Ready to get started? Here’s how to participate:

Download the journal below. There is a fillable pdf Printed copies will be available at Member Services
Download a Printable Copy
Download a Fillable Copy

Weekly Themes & Prompts

To make it easy to get started, each week will have a theme to help you reflect on different aspects of life:

Week 1: Small Joys – Notice the little things that bring happiness, like a warm cup of coffee or a friendly hello.

Week 2: Connection – Reflect on the people who support, encourage, and inspire you.

Week 3: Growth – Think about the personal strengths, skills, and resilience you’ve developed.

Week 4: Community – Celebrate the community around you, from friends and family to your Y family.

By the end of the month, you’ll have created a powerful reminder of all the things that bring meaning to your life. Imagine the power of a community of grateful individuals – together, we can uplift each other and foster an environment of positivity and well-being.

Benefits of Gratitude Journaling

The benefits of gratitude extend beyond our individual lives. Here are some things you could gain from participating:

  • Reduced Stress & Anxiety: By focusing on positives, gratitude helps reduce stress, fostering a sense of calm and optimism.
  • Stronger Connections: Reflecting on relationships cultivates appreciation and encourages us to strengthen bonds with those around us.
  • Improved Mental Health: Gratitude journaling can elevate mood, lower depressive symptoms, and create a more resilient mindset.
  • Physical Health Boosts: Practicing gratitude has even been linked to better sleep and improved motivation for healthy activities.

The 20-Day YMCA Gratitude Challenge is more than a journaling exercise; it’s an opportunity to strengthen our community by fostering a culture of thankfulness and connection. When we focus on what we’re grateful for, we’re reminded of the positive impact of our YMCA family, and together, we can make the Y a brighter place for everyone.

Don’t miss out on this chance to nurture your spirit and connect with our incredible YMCA community.

YMCA Week of Prayer

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

JOIN US IN A WEEK OF DEVOTIONAL ACTIVITIES!

The World YWCA and World YMCA have partnered together since 1904 to organize the
World Week of Prayer. Use this booklet and plan to join us this year, November 10–16, 2024.
You can take part individually or form a small group and work through the short devotion each
day together.

ABOUT THE THEME

The theme of the World Week of Prayer 2024 is based on the four classical elements: water, earth, fire and wind. Through the week we will explore different aspects of the elements as they are described and experienced in scripture and our daily life. The prayers offer both a reflective perspective as well as a call for igniting change.

We hope the World Week of Prayer 2024 will help us become anchored in faith, trusting God’s guidance, guided by the light as we serve with purpose and share God’s love.

There are bible readings, introductions, interpretations and applications, questions/reflection points, and a prayer of blessing for each of the six days.
Download the devotional

The Power of Belief

Posted on by Kate Haslar

A Spiritual Reflection based on John 4:46-54

Bruce Osborn, Director of Spiritual Development

There is an account in John’s gospel of Jesus healing a government official’s son. What is unique about this healing account is that Jesus was nowhere near the son when he performed this miracle. That’s possibly the most incredible part of the account.  And while it’s worth noting, it’s not what these thoughts here are focused on. In the dialogue between Jesus and this official, there is a statement that might be overlooked, simply because this miracle is so extraordinary.

To set the stage of this account, Jesus returned to the area in which he performed his first public miracle, the turning of water into wine. And when he arrived, this government official heard he was near and sought him out. He found Jesus and shared with him his son’s illness, pleading with urgency for him to come to his home and heal his son because there was not much hope. In fact, Scripture says that he was very near death. Jesus listened but remained where he was. His simple response to the official was, “Go; your son will live.”

“The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.” John 4:50

There are two things that jump off the page here. First, the words of Jesus have incredible power. And for us to understand the second point, we must believe that the words spoken by our Master are absolute truth and carry life-giving, transformational power. We can go nowhere else for truth. And it’s the words of Jesus that will bring not only his plan and purposes for us, but those same words, the truths we read in the gospels and in Scripture, will transform our hearts and our lives from death to life.

The second thing that we see in this simple verse is faith. It is a man’s simple belief. John records that this official “believed” the words of Jesus. He had not even yet known of his son’s healing (which is recorded in verses 51-54 of chapter four), but he still believed. That’s what faith is, and this is a beautiful picture of faith being lived out. He didn’t have to see it with his eyes before he believed it. The words of Jesus were enough for him.

The question this leads us to is this: do we believe? Do we trust that the teachings of Jesus are truth? Do we believe that his words will lead us to life? In no way can we see tomorrow, nor the plans God has for us, but we can believe. We must believe because the words of our Master are as true for each of us as they were for the official and his son. And when we respond in faith, when we simply believe Jesus, we find on the other side of our response is life.

Oh, may it be said of this generation that we “believed the word that Jesus spoke.”

“The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way.”

John 4:50

Providing Hope: South Dakota Mission Trip 2024

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

A team of five from the Glacial Community YMCA recently joined the National Service Project of the YMCA Alumni Association in Dupree, South Dakota. This initiative, now in its fifth year of construction, aims to create a livable community for single mothers on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. The program, facilitated by the YMCA of the Seven Council Fires in Dupree, will provide three to six months of transitional housing and resources to help these young families create a sustainable lifestyle after their time at the Y.

Our Y team was part of a larger group of 24 volunteers from across the country that assisted in constructing the fourth home on the site. All week they carried lumber, measured, measured again, sawed, drilled, hammered, and caulked. In the process, they learned a lot and built lasting relationships with like-minded leaders. “From learning to use a table saw to meeting people from all over the country, including our honorary Y teammate from Italy, this trip was filled with memorable experiences,” said Pam Buss. “I’d love to do this again, or maybe even venture onto another mission trip.”

Todd Stamper observed, “It was eye-opening to see how the Lakota tribe lives, which made it very clear these homes are necessary. With anywhere from 10 to 15 people living in a single house, you can see the importance of providing a mother and child their own space, along with the opportunity to find a job and a permanent home.” 

Together the volunteers were able to move the project ahead quite substantially. Director of Spiritual Development, Bruce Osborn noted that once the project is completed, “the Glacial Community YMCA will be able to say we had a hand in providing hope for families in one of the most impoverished communities and counties in the nation.” The Y hopes to send a second team to help finish the project in the fall of 2025. 

“the Glacial Community YMCA will be able to say we had a hand in providing hope for families in one of the most impoverished communities and counties in the nation.”

We’d love to hear your Y story!

Share Your Story

All Things New: Holy Week Devotional

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

This time of year before Easter is celebrated as Lent in many Christian traditions. The last week before Easter is called Holy Week. These days leading up to Easter are about remembering, renewal and redemption.

Explore Holy Week with our All Things New, Holy Week Reflections for the Whole Family.

Get a hard copy at the Y or download the pdf.

DOWNLOAD ALL THINGS NEW

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

-2 Corinthians 5:17

Treasures of the Heart

Posted on by Kate Haslar

Bruce Osborn, Director of Spiritual Development

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a poet and essayist in the 17th century, said, “Beware what you set your heart upon. For it shall surely be yours.” It is amazing how the heart drives our emotions, our will, our passions, and our desires. When you truly set your heart to something, you find that your motivation will soon follow. So beware, as Emerson says, because as your heart is stirred and motivated, so go your feet.

The heart is a central theme in the teachings of the Bible. Many times, throughout scripture the heart is used to serve as a measuring stick of our commitment to God. For example, with all our heart we are to love and serve God (Dt 6:5). The condition of our heart is reflected in our words and our actions (Matt. 12:34). And we find that our priorities are revealed by the motivations of our heart. Many of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 can be traced back to the condition of our heart. In the middle of that sermon, Jesus tells us these words, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What is it that you treasure? What do you find yourself thinking of when no other task is demanding your attention? If you could follow your heart today, where would it lead? The answer to those questions will determine your treasure. Jesus taught us to not put our attention toward those things that don’t really matter in the long run; the things that will break, that will run out, or that someone can take from us. Instead, He taught us to put our focus on the things that matter in eternity; relationships, time, service, and the things that you really can’t put a price tag on. As we share our faith in Christ through our actions and our words, we are training our heart to value the eternal treasures. And we will find that the things of the world that are only temporary will soon become less attractive and will not captivate our attention like they once did.

It’s not wrong to have things in this world. But when we allow them to become our treasure, the purpose of life, we have lost focus on the kind of life that Jesus came to show us. And by allowing ourselves to be led by those temporary treasures we will soon find that it will only lead to a disappointed and discouraged heart, an empty life. Retraining the heart to value things of eternal significance is not easy, but it is possible. It’s done one choice at a time. And it starts with your choices you will make today.

"The heart is the happiest when it beats for others."

- from God’s Little Instruction Book 

Cast Away

Posted on Updated on by Kate Haslar

A Spiritual Reflection
Bruce Osborn, Director of Spiritual Development

The apostle Peter was a fisherman. It was his career. More than that, it was his life. I imagine that, like most people who enjoy fishing, he was on the water most mornings as the sun would rise over the horizon, getting a head start on the day. For Peter, most days looked the same. Same rituals. Same boat. Most likely saying hello to the same fishermen as he prepared his nets for the day. He knew the routine and he knew it well.  Except for one day when a stranger strolled by on the shore and called for his attention. This is the day that would change this fisherman’s life forever. In a quick exchange of words, Peter came face to face with not only his humanity but Jesus’ divinity. And Peter, from that day forward would no longer be a fisherman of fish, but of men and women. He left his boat, his way of life, and gave all to follow this Rabbi, Jesus.

There are many things we can learn from Peter. Some of the things we learn from his recorded failures, but some are valuable lessons from who he was created to be – a fisherman. In his writings to the Christians who had been scattered throughout the region, Peter urges them, among many other exhortations, to live for God, to be submissive to the authorities appointed by God, and to be living stones and a holy priesthood. He taught what it meant to suffer for doing good and to live clear-minded and self-controlled lives. But it was one of his encouragements that captures the attention of all of us who know Christ and live in this world, surrounded by pain and difficulties.  It is in the closing verses of his first book that we find this simple command, “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7).

I used to fish occasionally. My idea of casting involved holding a rod and reel in my right hand and with a simple, fluid motion, springing from my elbow and wrist, I would throw my line into the water. Simple. So, when I read that verse above, I imagine the easy, peaceful task of casting a line into the water. But Peter, through his life and writings, gives us a completely different image. Have you ever been to the coast and watched a fisherman cast a net? It is a full-body movement. The leg muscles, back muscles, and both arms are engaged. Springing from a low position to a fully extended one, the fisherman hurls the net out over the water, hoping the net will unfold in mid-flight, landing perfectly on its surface. And it’s not just a one-time action. This continues all day until the fisherman has caught their limit. It must have been an exhausting way to earn a living for Peter. But the imagery his livelihood gives us, matched with his words, is priceless. 

The truth we learn from Peter here is that our cares in this life can be tiresome to carry around.  And our “casting” them on our Lord has to be a complete action. It is as if when we throw them off our shoulders and onto Christ’s, we can do it with full confidence that He is able to catch them. And by doing so, we are set free from the webbing, the netting that our cares bring with them. That webbing can trip us if we’re not careful. If we leave them at our feet, we’ll stumble over them and fall. Peter teaches us to start low and with our full body strength, cast them on Jesus. By doing so, your cares are completely taken away.  Jesus is now your burden bearer.  And He is strong enough to carry them. 

So don’t carry your troubles around on your shoulders any longer. Pick them up, give the world a wooohooo! and cast them on the shoulders of the One who can handle them.

Why?  “Because He cares for you.”

I Peter 5:7