Jim’s back! You can read his previous Advent devotional, on listening to Jesus amidst a noisy world, here. Isa 55:6-7 (NIV) Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have … More Give Me a Break * Advent Devotional
Anna Thelen is a doula, nanny, and budding Anglican who lives in Chicagoland. She helped bring our firstborn into the world and has been one of my dearest friends ever since. Isaiah 55:1 (NIV) Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy … More Open Hands * Advent Devotional
My little sister, Caitlyn, is hilarious and brilliant and far more hardcore than I’ll ever be. Two weeks ago she went deer hunting while nine months pregnant because “It’s deer season, and it’s not like I’m going to wait all the way until next year.” Five days later she gave birth to her fourth baby. Like … More Water, Fear, and a Way Through * Advent Devotional
Heather Gerwing is a member of a Christian writer’s group I joined a year or so ago. She’s a blogger, a student of Scripture, and an all around wonderful human. Welcome, Heather! When my husband and I were newly married 12 years ago, we purchased a starter home that we planned to live in for five … More Waiting for a Zip Line * Advent Devotional
My brother-in-law Jared Bangs is a fiery redheaded Baptist pastor with a killer sense of humor and four beautiful kids. He visited us in southern California a couple of Aprils ago, and our neighbors found him swimming in our condo complex’s frigid, unheated pool. “What’s wrong with him?” they asked. “He’s from Minnesota,” I replied. Our … More Today is a Good Day * Advent Devotional
Today it’s my privilege to introduce you to my friend Jim Ozee. Jim is an elder in the church I once pastored in south-central Wisconsin, a man who loves Jesus deeply, and an all around good guy, despite his passion for the Cardinals. Isa 30:15 (NIV) This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of … More Listening is a Skill * Advent Devotional
Isaiah 11:6 (NIV) The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. I use to capital-h HATE nature shows growing up. My little sisters and I would gather around the fuzzy picture on the … More Predator, Prey, and a Better Way * Advent Devotional
Today’s devotional comes to us from Kande Milano, a former pastor and all-around beautiful writer. Welcome, Kande! This isn’t the life I pictured. My younger self was confident I would meet and marry someone who loved me, despite my imperfections. He might actually like my strong will and boisterous laugh. We would commit to building … More Endless Peace * Advent Devotional
Because waiting is hard, but God is good. … More The Wait Will Be Worth It * Advent Devotional
Because peace on earth isn’t just a pipe dream. … More War No More * Advent Devotional
Courtney Ellis 