We have a video of my then two-year old niece sitting in a university auditorium watching a choir and orchestra rehearse. She was bouncing around, climbing over and under the seats and just generally being a toddler. Then the musicians started practicing the Hallelujah Chorus. Suddenly she fell utterly silent and still. “What is that song?” she whispered, … More A Brand New Song * 10 Minute Devotional
As a 90s youth group kid, I spent a lot of years singing songs that haven’t aged particularly well. There is the line in “Knowing You” that tells God “you’re the BEST,” like he’s a super good mailman or something. There are the dorky motions to “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High.” There is the overwrought chorus to … More Where’s the Help? * 10 Minute Devotional
With the Olympics on, I’m guessing I’m not alone in feeling decidedly average. I can’t do a three-and-a-half somersault dive. No triple back layouts on the balance beam for me. There has never and will never be a day when I jump a nine-foot fence on a giant thoroughbred. My greatest sporting accomplishment was an … More Free to Be Average * 10 Minute Devotional
In seminary I was just an hour’s train ride from Manhattan. Upon hearing this, when my little sister came to visit, she insisted that we go into the city for an adventure. We loaded up all our tourist gear (huge cameras, ridiculous sandals, cross-body bags… yeah, we were stylin’) and hopped on the Staten Island Ferry. … More Pesto, Hamlet, Desperation, and Love * 10 Minute Devotional
I live in California. AKA paradise. Except for home prices, traffic, and the occasional earthquake, it’s pretty amazing here. One of my favorite parts of southern California is the palm tree. You can’t throw a rock in my neighborhood without hitting one. You can’t drive a block without spotting one. To me, palm trees say: … More Let Your Roots Be Crazy * 10 Minute Devotional
Chaplaincy education is intense. Most Presbyterian ministers-in-training are required to go through it before ordination, most often in a hospital setting. It’s great preparation for ministry since you see lots of suffering and a good bit of death. You get to know families and patients and nurses and doctors and you witness some of the most difficult bits … More Ninja Rowing
My husband hates awkward conversations. Back when we were dating, there would be a natural pause in the conversation and he’d turn red and look at me with fear and say, “Well, this is awkward.” I think conversational silences are nice – a way to breathe and regroup and think and just be together. But … More Seasoned with Salt * 10 Minute Devotional
When I think all the technological innovations that have happened since I was a college student, it makes my head spin. Smart phones, tablets, wearables. Facebook, Spotify, Pinterest. Don’t even get me started on Twitter. As a college sophomore, I remember laughing at the one student who had a hands-free bluetooth for his phone. I’m sure … More Unplugging for Life
My three year old son is rarely blatantly disobedient. Sure, he’ll occasionally steal a toy from another kid on the playground, and I’ve had to tell him more than once that his feet do not belong on his dinner plate. But by and large he’s an easy kid. A good listener. Which is why I … More The Wages of Cin-namon * 10 Minute Devotional
I read last week that there are 65.3 million refugees in the world. 65.3 million. It blew my mind a little bit, and not in a good way. California has a population of 39 million. There are more global refugees right now than there are people in California. (And as someone who drives in the insane traffic of southern California, let … More Staggering Statistics, Compassion, and You
Courtney Ellis 