Tina J. Smith

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹.
There have been misunderstandings in leadership. There have been wounds. There have been betrayals. But pointing fingers has never healed a heart. We are all part of stories where we have been wounded and, at times, where we have wounded others.
I would rather stand in front of the mirror and ask the Lord to search me. Reveal what is still unhealed. Expose what pride has hidden. Gently uncover what fear has protected. Transform what still needs refining. That is the work of a woman who intends to rise, not just recover.
I have often said 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳. And the Lord, in His mercy, will not let you. He loves you too much to allow performance to substitute for wholeness.
Healing is a choice. An unhealed story does not disappear. It becomes a filter. It becomes a blind spot. It quietly shapes how you lead, how you respond, how you interpret, and how you protect yourself. If you are called to carry influence, you cannot afford to lead from wounds that were never surrendered.
And you were never meant to do this alone. Every woman who carries weight needs safe covering. A trusted mentor. A wise counselor. A mature friend who sees both your strength and your fractures and still believes in your rising. Leadership without accountability becomes isolation. Isolation magnifies distortion.
Sister, your call needs you whole. When the arrows come, and they will, you must be wearing armor that is intact. The enemy looks for cracks created by exhaustion, unresolved pain, and striving. But a healed woman stands differently. She does not perform. She does not scramble for approval. She does not lead from fear. She stands grounded in love, authority, and grace.
Heal. Stand. Rise. There is a harvest that requires you strong, tender, and unafraid.
“𝗦𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗲, 𝗢 𝗚𝗼𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁. 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀. 𝗦𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.”
𝗣𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝟭𝟯𝟵:𝟮𝟯–𝟮𝟰

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗮 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.

What began as ten days of decrees, prayer, and worship quietly unfolded to end on the tenth day, 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆. It was not counted or planned, but was unexpectedly led by the Holy Spirit. This is no coincidence, but a divine appointment from the heavenlies, a sacred moment where the Lord gently reminded me of who He called me to be.

I stepped away from social media because I needed to remember something important. I do not post for myself, nor do I build for myself. I build because there is a broken world that needs to experience the sweet and gentle hands of Jesus. I build for the Kingdom.

Years ago, my heart was set on the oppressed. I wanted to give voice to those silenced by systems, crushed by power, and buried under shame, those who had been harmed and then told to be quiet about it. That was the work I gave myself to, and it mattered deeply to me.

Over time, a painful truth unfolded in my own life as well. Hurting people hurt people, and that reality eventually made its way into my story, leading to a season where my world came crashing down around me. I found myself face-to-face with my own humanity, and in that place, something shifted.

The voice that once spoke boldly for others began to fade, slowly and almost imperceptibly at first. I would look at myself and realize I no longer recognized the woman who once spoke with clarity and conviction. I did not know my voice anymore.

It was there, before my Jesus, that I discovered this is the very voice He is healing.

It is a different voice now. It still carries justice and boldness, but it is deeply humbled by my own humanity. It is a voice shaped by encountering Jesus in a way that dismantles performance and striving, leaving behind a freedom that speaks with grace, mercy, and a love that cannot be manufactured or explained.

It was after my own breaking that my heart widened. I began to see you, the woman carrying leadership, responsibility, and calling, while quietly bleeding inside. I understand now what it feels like to lose your voice, to forget who you are called to be, and to wonder how something so strong could feel so fragile.

This is the voice speaking to you now. If you feel your voice slipping away, if something around you feels like it is stealing what you once carried with confidence and clarity, I want you to know you are not alone.

My voice and my vulnerability are the sword I carry, because through the boldness of vulnerability, I give you permission to speak boldly with boundaries and compassion.

Listen to me, woman of God. You are seen. You are called. You carry a powerful story that is meant to move forward and build something greater than you ever imagined.

My desire is to help you find your sword, whether you once carried it and laid it down, or whether it has remained at your side but has grown heavy over time. I want to help you pick it up again with grace, not force or striving.

My goal is to speak life into your situation, to strengthen you, and to help you recognize the sword that has always been with you, so you can wield it for the Kingdom in a way that changes hearts and brings healing to lives.

I want to invite you to stay connected. Please subscribe at www.swordandgrace.org to receive updates about my upcoming podcast episodes, future webinars, and TheraCoaching support designed to walk with you as you lead, heal, and build or rebuild. You were never meant to carry this alone.

(Disclaimer: The only AI part was the sword was added into my picture).

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗳 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆?

Renewing Our Minds in Love is an invitation into deep restoration where neuroscience meets Scripture and faith becomes a lived, healing experience rather than a constant struggle.

This book speaks to the exhausted soul.
The one who prays but still feels stuck.
The one who knows truth but can’t silence fear.
The one longing for wholeness, not just survival.
Through science-backed insight and biblical wisdom, you’ll discover how God designed your brain for connection, renewal, and transformation and how love, not shame or striving, is the pathway to lasting change.

This isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about being rewired by love.
It’s about healing what religion couldn’t touch and restoring what trauma tried to steal.

Published in 2023 after hearing years of heartfelt wounded believers from the church coming for counselling. My heart took those experiences to reach leaders to be a voice for the misunderstood.

If you’re ready to experience faith that heals the nervous system, renews the mind, and restores the heart, this book was written for you.

Renewing Our Minds in Love Integrating neuroscience with the Christian faith is critical because leaders are ignoring the need for the brain to be rewired. They need the tools to facilitate this process. Pastors and counsellors remind people to think, read, meditate, and more, but that does not address critical realitie...

𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: 𝐚𝐦 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠?

Before you finalize another plan for 2026, I want to speak to the woman who knows how to build, but is beginning to wonder whether she is truly covered and protected in the places where she leads.

You are charting the year ahead with prayerful intention, naming goals, holding vision, and shaping a blueprint that genuinely excites you. I see you carrying the weight of many responsibilities at once: the lists at home, the leadership you steward, and the people who depend on your clarity and strength. You are capable and disciplined, and you have developed many qualities that reflect faithfulness and perseverance. There are objective metrics in your life.

As this new year draws near, I want to invite you into a deeper question, one that sits beneath goals, systems, and vision.

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠?

What I am speaking to is the way God covers us in the natural so that what He has entrusted to us is not carried in isolation. You may be unprotected in the environments where you lead, serve, and hold responsibility. When this distinction is unclear, we can unintentionally spiritualize what is, in fact, a relational and structural issue.

I know this because I lived it.

𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝.

I was deeply committed to God, clear in my calling, and able to see systems and solutions early on. When parts of my life felt heavy or unsupported, I compensated by working harder, building faster, and pouring myself into meaningful work. It looked faithful on the outside, but internally it was costly.

When I speak about covering, I am not speaking abstractly.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝.

The first is the place of your closest relational covering, whether that is marriage or the season of singleness you are stewarding, because the relationships closest to your heart will either create safety and rest or quietly require endurance as you lead.

The second is that spiritual covering must be a place of safety, where public promotion is matched by private protection rather than control or diminishment. Actual covering supports growth, offers guidance and correction without humiliation, and remains committed to the well-being of the person, not just the outcome of their leadership.

The third is the alignments you form within your work and leadership, the teams, boards, and partnerships that shape how safely you can lead, either honouring both your authority and your humanity, or slowly eroding one in order to preserve the other.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞.

When one becomes unstable, the strain often shows up in the way you build, the pace you maintain, and the cost you quietly absorb.

𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭, 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧, 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐲.

Your systems, visions, and goals will always reflect the strengths or weaknesses of what lies beneath them. If you find yourself rushing ahead, pouring all your energy into outcomes while your heart quietly knows that areas of protection feel unsteady, perhaps 2026 is not calling you to do more, but to tend to what holds everything in place. It is slowing down to fix what is keeping you and your leadership.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦.

If this reflection resonates and you feel the need to identify where coverage may be thin or absent, you don't have to go through this alone. I walk with women leaders who desire to build from a place of rest, protection, and clarity, ensuring that what God is calling them to steward is supported in both the spiritual and practical sense. Your calling is sacred, and it deserves to be carried within safe and strengthening structures.

Join me by subscribing at www.swordandgrace.org
and our safe community of women at
https://sword-and-grace-coaching.mn.co

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫.

One evening, I was lying on my bed with my daughter, watching our favourite show. She leaned over and said,

“Mom, all my friends want to follow you on social media because you are in your influencer era.”

My first response was to laugh and want to hide at the same time.

I do not post to get attention. I post to find the women who are leading while carrying the weight of loss, betrayal, disappointment, and failure, and who are still showing up anyway. I post to find the women who are holding families, teams, ministries, businesses, and callings, while quietly questioning themselves behind closed doors.

I want to find you so I can champion you.

To help you see what may be hidden by blind spots formed through pain, responsibility, or survival.

To remind you of the strength, discernment, and authority you already carry.

What I realized in that moment with my daughter is this.

Leadership does not stop with us.

𝐀𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡, 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞.

As women who lead, we are shaping four things for the generations that come after us.

How they understand strength.

How they steward authority.

How they recover from failure.

How they love with integrity, humility, and courage.

Young girls are watching how women lead. They are learning how to run this race by observing how we respond to pressure, opposition, betrayal, and restoration. They are paying attention to whether power hardens us or matures us, whether pain causes us to withdraw or refines us.

These girls are fierce, bold, and courageous. My greatest desire is to walk alongside today's women who are already mothers, pioneers, visionaries, influencers, and leaders. Women who need another set of eyes and ears, not to control them, but to strengthen them. Not to diminish their authority, but to help them wield their strength with greater clarity, truth, and grace.

When women heal, the next generation benefits.

When women lead with integrity and honour, the next generation is protected.

When women are willing to learn from their mistakes and failures rather than hide from them, the next generation is strengthened.

So I'm going to post to find you.

The woman who knows she is not meant to do this alone.

The woman who senses there is more strength available to her than she is currently accessing.

The woman who wants to build something that outlives her title, her role, and even her success.

Let us do this together, not in isolation.

If you are ready to stand stronger, lead with greater clarity, and build what matters most, I would be honoured to walk alongside you.

Young women are watching and learning.

This is the work of legacy.

𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭.

There were moments in my leadership when discernment quietly surfaced concerns about people, dynamics, and direction. It was not loud. It was not dramatic. It was a gentle knowing, an internal pause that asked me to slow down and pay attention. Yet more often than I would like to admit, my heart spoke louder.

I wanted to believe the best. I believed deeply in growth, redemption, and the potential I could see in others. I believed that care, patience, and guidance would be enough. And because my heart has always been for people, I sometimes interpreted discernment as something to set aside rather than something to honour.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐯𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭.
Discernment is wisdom that invites a leader to pause, to ask better questions, and to steward responsibility with clarity rather than urgency. It is one of the ways God protects both what is being built and the one building it.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬.

Ignoring discernment does not make it disappear. It simply delays the consequences and often increases the cost.

Scripture reminds us of God’s invitation to leaders:
𝐈𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟏:𝟓

God does not shame leaders for needing wisdom. He invites us to ask for it. Discernment is one of His gifts, given not to limit love, but to guide it.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

You are allowed to trust what God is revealing to you and still lead with love, strength, and grace.

𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀.
Not the kind that comes with transitions or celebrations, but the quiet, personal losses that leave a mark on a woman’s leadership journey.

As Christian women who build and steward organizations, we carry a grit few understand unless they have helped create something from the ground up. We pour into people. We honour their strengths. We nurture culture with care and excellence. We hold vision while tending the hearts of those entrusted to us.

𝗬𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻.
The loss of trust. The loss of relationship. The loss that comes when someone you believed in shifts, withdraws, or wounds you in ways you never expected. These moments touch the deepest places of your heart.

Then there are the late-night phone calls. The quiet hours when women in leadership reach out to the few who can hold space for the truth beneath their strength. The breaking heart. The grief that rises when love and responsibility meet. And still, by morning, they rise again to lead with gentleness, love, courage, and strength.

𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱.
A leader who carries her people and her organization with devotion. When hurt comes, it is not just professional. It is personal. It touches your identity, your calling, and the hope you carried for the ones you invested in.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻.
Ignored pain does not disappear. It becomes a wall. Hardened. Cold. At first you think it protects you, but over time you no longer see it. Only others do. If this reaches a place within you that speaks, it may be time to listen. Time to soften what leadership tried to harden. Time to lead with gentleness and confidence. It is the Sword and Grace way.

𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Your tenderness does not weaken your authority. Your grief does not diminish your calling.

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀.
I will help you understand the grief you carry, make sense of why it hurts so deeply, and release the weight that has shaped your leadership in silence. You will rebuild inner steadiness, recover your strength, and walk forward with clearer boundaries and renewed confidence. You will learn to lead with tenderness and authority without losing yourself. You do not have to do this alone.

www.swordandgrace.org
Hesitating in reaching out is another day you have to carry what you have walked through alone. Your call is too important to not reach out.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮.

It is Tuesday morning, and you are already holding more than most people will ever see. You are tending to your home, your marriage, your children, and the office, practice, or ministry you carry. I understand this world deeply. My lists once felt endless. Between the private practice, building the not-for-profit charitable organization, leading a team, and caring for my family, there were mornings I wanted to stay under the covers or binge watch my favourite shows. Some days that kind of rest is necessary.

But if you woke up today with a heaviness that will not lift, and you are already measuring yourself by what you will accomplish, then something deeper is happening. The truth is your checklist will always be there, but your worth was never meant to be tied to it. God does not measure you by productivity. He does not assess you by the impossible standards you place on yourself. He invites you to sit with Him so He can show you what actually matters today. That kind of pace sounds like be still and know that I am God.

What I learned is that my list was built on achievement and performance. God’s list was built on shaping me, strengthening me, and anchoring me in Him. When I began leading from that place, everything shifted. The weight I had carried for years was never His intention.

If you are living under that heaviness, there are blind spots at work that you were never meant to navigate alone. As someone who has walked that path and come out with clarity and freedom, I can tell you this with confidence. As your TheraCoach, I can help you identify what needs to shift so you can wake with energy, step into your day with peace, and finally walk in the rhythm of grace God designed for you.

Here is the promise. You are not meant to survive your calling and carry heaviness. You are meant to thrive inside it with a lightness that comes from God’s leadership, not your striving.

Let us find that place together.

www.swordandgrace.org

𝗧𝗵𝗲 Labels 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗕𝘆

When labels and accusations cling to you as a leader they can shape how you see yourself. I will never forget the day I read a document after releasing a team member and saw that I was accused of being a narcissist. It felt like a knife to my heart and left me breathless. I turned to reading, researching, assessments, and every checklist I could find because I feared I might be blind to myself. In a long stretch of counselling I kept circling back to the accusations that haunted me because I never wanted to become like the people who had wounded me.

My therapist paused one day and said, “Tina, if you were a narcissist, do you think you would be doing all of this work to understand yourself?” Her question shifted something in me. It revealed how much fear had taken up space where truth belonged.

Women who lead know this tension well. Leadership also attracts the judgement of others. If you lead with strength you will be labelled. If you lead with gentleness you will be labelled. If you are decisive, measured, prayerful, or intentional you may still face criticism that does not reflect your heart. Strong Christian women often live in the pull between courage and compassion. You carry the weight of building something meaningful, caring for those you lead, and stewarding a vision God entrusted to you. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀. It can even tempt you to reshape yourself around fear rather than truth.

Through one and a half years of slow, steady therapeutic work I learned that 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 is the only anchor strong enough for leadership. Hard decisions will be misunderstood. Some transitions will hurt. But 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗺 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 when everything around you shifts.

I am still the woman who, back in 1997 when policing was considered, stood in front of someone in prison and said, “I will not be the one who puts handcuffs on you. I will be the one who brings healing.” That calling has never changed.

To the women reading this who have carried labels that do not belong to you, hear my heart. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽. You are a woman entrusted with a God given vision and you are called to steward it with faithfulness. You are carrying something sacred, and those who label you often do not understand the weight of what God has asked you to carry because they have never carried it themselves.

Guard your heart. Forgive often. Stay humble. And when the weight of words begins to shape you more than the voice of the Holy Spirit, reach out for support so you can stand again. 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀. Rise. Stand firm in strength and grace. 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲. Walk in the authority He has given you for His kingdom.

The labels that women experience as they move between strength and gentleness depending on what leadership requires are often misunderstood. I am committed to giving voice to the complexities women face as they lead, so we can bring transparency to the battles behind the boardroom and the microphone. This is a movement to build supportive and safe communities where women can stand strong and stand back up when leadership takes its toll. 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 as we step into these conversations together.

https://youtube.com/?si=JvGKwrqWs7jd7MgO

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
I know many of you have been watching the shifts in my life, my leadership, and my social media, especially as I have stepped into building a coaching business. I imagine there have been wondering, questions, and quiet assumptions.

Two years ago, I sensed God calling me toward adding something new but could not fully articulate it. So I paused, prayed, and waited. Many of you have read between the lines that I have walked through seasons of deep hardship without speaking directly to it. Instead, you have been seeing the lessons, the fruit of 𝟭.𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Four years ago, the Lord began speaking to me about vulnerability. 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽, shaped by both current circumstances and an unseen artery of pain that I only now understand. Each year, I allowed God to take those walls down. I allowed my heart to be seen even when it was messy, and I let Him transform me through honesty, humility, and truth. And here is what I have learned. 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘆, 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗱𝗼𝗺. It is important to share only with those who have proven loyalty and safety. Not everyone is meant to carry your heart. Sharing too widely or too soon can turn vulnerability into exposure, and in the wrong hands it can be weaponized. Women in leadership must understand that wisdom and discernment are essential, because not everyone has the character or maturity to hold our vulnerable places well.

Surround yourself with people who love you unconditionally, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵. These voices anchor you when life feels unstable. And when God restores you, heals your heart, and strengthens your steps, that is the time to testify to His goodness. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀.

At the same time, 𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. Sharing too soon can create confusion and relational damage, especially when the wounds are fresh. Oversharing or trying to control the narrative is not true vulnerability. 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. Sacred details should only be entrusted to people who will honour them. Honesty is not the same as processing. Processing belongs in counselling, prayer, and trusted relationships until God brings you to a place where you can speak from clarity and healing. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Vulnerability should never compromise your leadership boundaries or give people access that God never intended them to have.

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥
My new podcast, 𝗦𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱, will be launching soon. It will be a space for real conversations with Christian women who are learning to balance Sword & Grace with compassion, love, and strength. Stay tuned for updates on episodes.

www.swordandgrace.org