You guys, I’ve never met Aubry Smith but we are friends. How can you NOT be friends with someone who has traveled halfway around the world to serve and educate pregnant and postpartum women AND written an awesome book about God’s role in childbirth? So pleased to be able to share her brilliant and beautiful … More Advent for the Outsider * Advent Devotional
When my sister had her third baby a few years ago, we got the text in the wee hours of the morning. “It’s a boy!” it read. “Everyone is healthy.” I rolled over in bed and tapped my husband’s shoulder. “Cait had her baby!” I whispered. “I’m going!” “Oh good,” he murmured groggily. “Wait, going … More Holy Family * Advent Devotional
I only know the talented Megan Busch through the blogosphere, but after reading her writings one thing became immanently clear to me. WE NEEDED TO BE FRIENDS. Spend some time with her Advent devotional today, and I think you’ll feel the same. I used to keep an unwritten checklist in my heart. Maybe you had … More My Unfinished List * Advent Devotional
Daryl Ellis is smart, handsome, thoughtful, and he loves Jesus, his family, California, and the UCLA Bruins (in that order). He married me nearly ten years ago, and being his wife and watching him be dad to our two boys is one of my life’s great joys. Welcome, Daryl! Isaiah 65:17 (NIV) See, I will … More Deep Desire and a Thousand Detours * Advent Devotional
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
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
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 peace on earth isn’t just a pipe dream. … More War No More * Advent Devotional
Courtney Ellis 