* Arrival * An Advent Reflection by Courtney Ellis My parents always say they don’t sleep well unless all of their babies are under their roof. Never mind that their “babies” are all now in their 30s, as a parent myself I can absolutely understand this sentiment. Many of us, most of us leave home. … More Arrival * An Advent Reflection
Can we bear the passage from familiar to foreign?
An Advent reflection on journey by Bethany Rydmark. … More Journey * An Advent Reflection
Why it matters that we are not our own. … More Belonging to Each Other
Short Scripture readings for wiggly kiddos. … More Family Advent Scripture Readings
Karen Gonzalez on the lessons Joseph has to teach us. … More Lessons on Waiting from Joseph
When I lead the prayers of the people in church these days, they are long. There is a lot to mention. This week there will be more still. Some of the recent tragedies are halfway across the world. Others are a short drive away. Some make headlines. Others are privately mourned. Some involve hundreds. Others … More What to Do When There’s Not Much You Can Do * 10 Minute Devotional
Adapted from a devotional previously shared on this blog on May 19, 2016. “Gentlemen, this is a football.” That is how Vince Lombardi, started each season on his team’s practice field. Lombardi, the former coach of the Green Bay Packers who led them to victory in the first ever Super Bowl (and the one after … More This is a Football * 10 Minute Devotional
Holy Week’s a-comin’, friends. After basically missing the whole shebang last year due to a case of extremely overdue pregnant-itis, I’m stoked for this year. Holy Week, the high point in the church year that begins with Palm Sunday (April 9, this year) and ends on Easter Sunday (April 16), is the best. If the church had a Super … More 10 Ways to Enter Into Holy Week
This week at our house: Me: What do you want for breakfast? Preschooler: Peanut butter pancakes. Me [fifteen minutes later]: Here’s your breakfast! Preschooler: WHAT IS THIS?! I HAAAATE PEANUT BUTTER PANCAKES!!! Me: [silently Googling how old a child has to be to go to boarding school overseas] Kidding. Mostly. Pre-kid, I sometimes felt at … More What’s at the End of Your Rope? * 10 Minute Devotional
My childhood pastor once told our congregation the story of a man walking down a beach tossing starfish back into the water. If they stayed washed up on the beach they would dry out and die, so he tossed them back as he strolled along the ocean’s edge. The problem was that there were thousands of … More It Matters to This One * 10 Minute Devotional
Courtney Ellis 