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
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’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
Welcome to my friend Kristine Aragon-Bruce (hi, Kristine!). Kristine is a mom, a displaced West-Coaster, and a pastor in a PC(USA) church in Chicagoland. She has a killer sense 0f humor and writes from the heart. Enjoy her devotional! Isaiah 9:2 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a … More Silent Nights * Advent Devotional
I know Michelle Nehrig-Shultheis through a writer’s group I joined a year ago. We’ve never met in person, but even across the miles and through cyberspace, her love for the Lord shines through. Her devotional today is a beautiful one. Isaiah 9:1 (ESV) But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In … More Even in the Anguish * Advent Devotional
Fear can be a bad thing. Fear of what others might think, of putting ourselves out there, of making a mistake can paralyze us. Fear of the other, of those who are different than we are, of our neighbor can make us defensive and uncertain. Fear is often a bad thing. But sometimes fear is good. … More Afraid of God? * Advent Devotional
Because desire is not all bad. … More Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Jesus * Advent Devotional
Courtney Ellis 