https://carrimikkelsen.com/ Writer · Biblical counselor · Editor, Leading Grace en-us https://carrimikkelsen.com/articles/flip-the-switch/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/articles/flip-the-switch/ Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Article A challenge to adjust our perspective on security, with guidance for parents on how to lovingly train up children from a place of security rather than fear. https://carrimikkelsen.com/talks/2025-identity-through-seasons/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/talks/2025-identity-through-seasons/ Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT Talk Marriage, motherhood, ministry, an empty nest — how God's grace anchors our identity when our roles and sense of purpose shift. https://carrimikkelsen.com/talks/2025-the-lure/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/talks/2025-the-lure/ Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT Talk A workshop on recognizing the cultural assumptions of Americanism that quietly compete with the gospel. https://carrimikkelsen.com/talks/2024-fga-usa-conference/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/talks/2024-fga-usa-conference/ Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT Talk Carri spoke at the 2024 FGA USA Conference. https://carrimikkelsen.com/articles/i-think-i-can/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/articles/i-think-i-can/ Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMT Article "The Little Engine That Could" tells us to believe in ourselves. A bike ride on the San Juan Islands taught Carri a different lesson about grace: God never meant us to climb the hills on our own willpower. https://carrimikkelsen.com/articles/growth/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/articles/growth/ Wed, 01 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMT Article Lessons from the garden on spiritual growth: our growth isn't automatic. Abiding in Christ gives the Holy Spirit the right soil, light, climate, and pruning to work with. https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/my-hope-for-the-new-year/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/my-hope-for-the-new-year/ Tue, 07 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT Blog post “Messy, Messy, Messy.” These are the famous words of Professor Hinkle the magician from Frosty the Snowman. These words summarize how many people around me feel about getting a living Christmas tree. They take work and… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/engage/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/engage/ Tue, 01 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT Blog post It was not snowy today, but it was a brisk fall bike ride. As I rode down the beautiful bike trail I saw a deer on my right. I slowed down a bit, but the deer jumped right in front of me to the other side of the path… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/resistance/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/resistance/ Tue, 17 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I find myself thinking maybe something is wrong with me if I can not seem to make my life easier where I am at or that if I were a stronger person I would find a solution to make all the hard things in life fall into a… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/the-answer-to-the-wait/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/the-answer-to-the-wait/ Mon, 25 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT Blog post As I have posted in the past (here), I was in a time of waiting. It was a hard valley and a dark time for me. I am still in a waiting period, but I am no longer waiting for an answer. I am waiting to start a new journey… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/hallelujah-for-the-cross/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/hallelujah-for-the-cross/ Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I absolutely love this song “Hallelujah For the Cross” by Chris McClarney. The song reminds of who we were, who we are, and because of what we have been given through grace by faith in Christ’s work to save us by His… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/going-for-the-gold/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/going-for-the-gold/ Sun, 11 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Living with an Eternal Perspective… II Corinthians 5:9-10 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/appreciating-forgiveness/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/appreciating-forgiveness/ Fri, 07 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Today is my half birthday and I will skip telling you which half year I am in 😉 In our family while we eat cake we go around and tell the family what we appreciate about the birthday person. Several kind things were… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/pantalones/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/pantalones/ Tue, 31 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post In the South American country we served in it is very cultural for elementary schools to put on a dance performance at Christmas. The performance was held at the theatre at the steel mill in town. Jeremy talked in… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/shopping-cart-skills/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/shopping-cart-skills/ Tue, 31 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post It is crazy and surreal to be a parent. You give birth to this tiny human being with a soul and a unique God given personality. You have no idea what your child is going to be like when the nurse puts her in your arms.… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/teachable-moments/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/teachable-moments/ Wed, 25 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I would say parenting has been the hardest job I have ever had and the hardest thing I have ever done, but the most rewarding. It is a long process of at least a couple of decades of life investment. There is no… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/marriage-mission/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/marriage-mission/ Mon, 23 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Can marriage and mission mix? This is a big question on Jeremy’s and especially my mind. Since the time we met, before we got married, we spent time with one another because we were both serving God in ministry. The… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/oneness/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/oneness/ Mon, 23 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post One of our most central themes of our marriage is our “oneness.” Whenever one of us pulls in a different direction we remind each other we are One. https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/a-lesson-from-elastigirl/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/a-lesson-from-elastigirl/ Thu, 19 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Jeremy and I have definitely trained our kids to be flexible. Raising support to go to South America – meeting on other family’s schedules Traveling to South America (a month car ride) – many stops on the way, no… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/let-god-provide-the-ice-cream/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/let-god-provide-the-ice-cream/ Thu, 12 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Jeremy and I were hearing from different sources, children our kids ages are already questioning their purpose in life and with the questions comes a hopelessness. The two of us were curious how our kids were doing, but… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/keep-seeking-praying-asking/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/keep-seeking-praying-asking/ Sat, 30 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Have you ever been in a time of waiting? A time of being unsure of what God has for you next or what you are to be doing now? Or you have a passion or desire, but there is something hindering the way? Or maybe you have… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/dressed-for-the-bema/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/dressed-for-the-bema/ Thu, 10 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Since Easter my pastor has been speaking on a series called “ALIVE!” Pastor Mike of Northwest Hills Community Church described how we are all dead in our transgressions at one point and then for the one who believes… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/who-are-we/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/who-are-we/ Sat, 03 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Our family strongly believes we live an abundant life based out of who we are. We agree with Paul. In many of his epistles he starts his letters with building the church up by describing their identity in Christ and… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/does-god-hate-sinners/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/does-god-hate-sinners/ Mon, 26 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post This question or the answer to this question has been rolling around in my head for a few weeks after a discussion with a group of women. We as humans look at people’s actions and lifestyle and judge people based on… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/gods-astounding-opinion/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/gods-astounding-opinion/ Sun, 11 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post God’s Astounding Opinion of You Understanding Your Identity Will Change Your Life In this thrilling adventure you will… transition from fear and dreary obligation to love and heartfelt devotion recognize the stunning… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/top-5-childrens-bibles/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/top-5-childrens-bibles/ Fri, 02 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Growing up in the Church I heard a lot of Bible stories, but could not piece them together. I never knew what David had to do with Daniel had to do with Moses, had to do with Abraham. I have chosen Bibles for my… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/let-it-be-jesus/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/let-it-be-jesus/ Mon, 29 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I was preparing for a meeting the other day and thinking of what one thing do I want them to understand about me. My only thought was that Christ is my life. No other thing matters. Just the Gospel. Then this verse was… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/wait-on-you/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/wait-on-you/ Sun, 28 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I heard this song for the first time with Jeremy today while we were on a family drive. We both thought this song is apropos to where we are at in The Wait. I love that Unspoken is also waiting on Christ’s return and… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/the-wait/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/the-wait/ Fri, 26 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Life is a full process of waiting. Right now I am waiting to plant starts for our garden. I am waiting for our bathroom downstairs to be finished. I am waiting for this rainy winter to stop and the sun to come out… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/israel-gods-unrelenting-grace/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/israel-gods-unrelenting-grace/ Wed, 24 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I found the article Israel & God’s Unrelenting Grace by Charles Bing this morning. I enjoy his GraceNotes. After writing Resting this article reminded me again of God’s grace even in the midst of disbelief and sin. God… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/by-this-name/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/by-this-name/ Tue, 23 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post By This Name is a great book to use when sharing the gospel with others. By the end of the book a person can understand the key truths of faith in Christ for salvation of sins and gain eternal life. John Cross clearly… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/resting/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/resting/ Tue, 23 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post God used many different means to catch my attention this past week. He used our family devotions in Hebrews, this Sunday’s sermon from Pastor Mike (listen here), my weekly book study, toilet paper, and even my husband’s… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/pray-for-his-coming/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/pray-for-his-coming/ Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Blog post This is a new year and everyone everywhere seems to be hopeful that this will be a better year than the last. Those who had a rough 2017 are praying for a better 2018. This reminds me of my son Elliot. When he was 4 at… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/crying-out-to-god/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/crying-out-to-god/ Sun, 31 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I was talking with a friend about some hard things I have been going through. I was mad at God, hurt, and sad. Did God forsake me? Is God against me? I felt so embarrassed, a pastor’s wife angry with God. How can I… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/psalms-of-lament/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/psalms-of-lament/ Sun, 31 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I am not sure I have ever heard anyone speak about being angry with God. People have told me to journal, but I do not want the pages to be covered with focusing purely on me. I found the article Psalms: “My God, My God,… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/15th-anniversary/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/15th-anniversary/ Sat, 30 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post This is our 15th Anniversary Year! Wow! It is amazing how fast time goes, but sometimes seems so slow at the time. We have weathered those first couple of years of him going to Bible school while I worked to support us… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/know-reckon-yield/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/know-reckon-yield/ Fri, 22 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post “Living as a Christian is a matter of . . . Death & Life!” The concepts in this article literally changed my life. I went from trying to make God happy by being “good enough” or trying to a attain “perfectness.” I did… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/dead-to-sin-alive-to-god/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/dead-to-sin-alive-to-god/ Thu, 21 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/unwrap-the-gift/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/unwrap-the-gift/ Fri, 08 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Have you ever bought or received a gift and not fully unwrapped it because it would take time to learn how to use? A computer, power tool, vacuum cleaner? This is the season of giving and receiving gifts. Ephesians… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/grace-filled/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/grace-filled/ Mon, 04 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Grace is what is called “Unmerited Favor.” It is what God gave us when He sent His Son to this earth in humanity’s place. We have gained favor with God by God’s grace and our faith in Christ’s sacrifice. This is what is… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/leave-cleave-pray/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/leave-cleave-pray/ Thu, 16 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post This year my husband, Jeremy, has been so diligent in doing family morning devotions. We were reading from Ephesians. Ephesians 5:31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/too-grumpy-to-pray/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/too-grumpy-to-pray/ Wed, 15 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Have you ever felt you could not talk to God because you were too upset? When my Savannah was three, our other kids asked her to say grace before breakfast. She had just gotten out of bed and up to the table. She… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/young-understanding/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/young-understanding/ Fri, 29 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Kids are able to understand Biblical truth and a gain a Biblical perspective at a young age. When you start using every moment as a teaching moment, kids catch truth. When Autumn was 5 years old she was able to… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/build-hope/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/build-hope/ Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Many people ask me, “When can or should we start sharing the Gospel with our kids?” I say as soon as they are breathing. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the alone. And you must love the your God… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/learning-from-hagars-suffering/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/learning-from-hagars-suffering/ Tue, 19 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Hagar is thought of in a negative light most of the time. She did not birth the son of promise. However, God did see her heartache, spoke with her, and gave her promises to hold onto as He sent her back to the place of… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/fruit-of-the-spirit/ Mon, 14 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post We talk a lot about the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, & Self-Control. Bearing fruit is not something we pray for, but… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/fruitfulness/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/fruitfulness/ Thu, 13 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post I was thinking about my lovely garden this morning and thinking how I want my friends to see it and enjoy it with me. It is a joy and is so beautiful. Then my next thought was, but I don’t want them to see all the… https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/seeds-family-worship/ https://carrimikkelsen.com/blog/seeds-family-worship/ Sun, 25 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT Blog post Our family found Seeds Family Worship when our kids were young. They sing word for word Scripture. These songs are a great way to memorize verses of the Bible. I remember when Savannah was 2 she was singing “I am more,…