For My Friends Prayers from a Santa 28 Nov 202328 Nov 2023 From a Fellow Traveler Today marks the start of Week 4 in the chemoradiation phase of my wife’s cancer treatment. It’s getting hard. The physical pain is difficult, of course; but…
For My Friends Prayers from My Little Girl 19 Oct 202320 Oct 2023 From a Fellow Traveler Yesterday, my wife and I had one of the most emotional experiences of our lives. We had to tell our 10- and 7-year-old that my wife…
For My Friends Vocation Soup 12 Sep 202312 Sep 2023 By Justin Rossow “Vocation” (not “vacation”) is kind of a fancy word for “calling.” It comes from the same root as “vocal” or “voice.” You have been called by God…
Discipleship Tools… Souvenirs of God’s Faithfulness 9 Aug 20239 Aug 2023 By Kim Longden I picked up the My Next Step, Volume 1 book this morning (the one with the compass on the cover) and I was so encouraged! The invitation…
For My Friends You Go; and I’ll Walk with You 17 Mar 202317 Mar 2023 By Justin Rossow Our mailbox is 0.7 miles from our front door. It used to be 7 feet. Since our last move, getting the mail has become more than a…
Cultural Studies… Messy Christmas 24 Dec 202215 Nov 2023 By Justin Rossow It’s Christmas Eve, and my daughter was supposed to be home three days ago. She made it to the Minneapolis airport. She made it onto the plane.…
For My Friends The Christmas Cardinal 13 Dec 202211 Dec 2022 By Raelyn Pracht Growing up, we always decorated the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. My father would string the lights on the tree and wrap it in shiny, silver…
Faith Experiment Priorities of Joy 9 Dec 2022 By Alli Bauck I shuffled down the dark hallway, letting out a sigh. It feels like I’ve been holding my breath; the half hour leading up to the boys’ bedtime…
Cultural Studies… Why I Owe My Faith to the Jews 2 Dec 20223 Dec 2022 By Kristeen Bruun When I was in my twenties and very definitely searching in my faith life, I spent several years working in New York City. I loved my time…
Exegetical Study… The Winds of Change 30 Nov 202230 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow ‘Tis the season for package arrivals, so when our Alexa lit up last night, we kind of expected more of the same. “Alexa, what are my notifications?”…
Lasts 7 Nov 2022 By Kim Longden I was surprised at church yesterday when my six-year-old daughter asked me to hold her during the liturgy. I almost told her no, that she’s too big;…
Cultural Studies Don’t Wear the Gorilla Sweater 11 Oct 202212 Oct 2022 By Katie Helmreich I just finished knitting a cardigan for a gorilla. It wasn't exactly what I was going for. I thought I was following the pattern, but somehow things…
For My Friends God at Work, in My Kids 23 Sep 20226 Oct 2022 By Katie Helmreich The past month has been an intense struggle for us. My youngest started kindergarten this year, and turns out she wasn't quite ready for it emotionally. Every…
Uncategorized The Day After Perfect 10 Jul 20222 Nov 2022 By Katie Helmreich Ah, summer... Sunshine and a more laid back routine. The kids are home doing their childhood thing. The Suburban has been packed, unpacked, and repacked for trips…
For My Friends ADVENTURE! 22 Jun 20222 Nov 2022 By Katie Helmreich My daughter, Elise, just turned 13. It’s a big deal. So we decided to celebrate with a big adventure! Elise and I headed North for a two-day canoe…
Cultural Studies… Take My Moments and My Days 8 Jun 20221 Nov 2022 By Katie Helmreich My alarm went off at 5:50 this morning. I hit snooze a few times, but then I remembered today's the day I'd arranged to swap kid-free hours…
For My Friends Courage for a Small Step 26 May 20222 Nov 2022 By Katie Helmreich My 5-year-old, Jane, has been looking forward to the end of year Preschool field trip for ages! "We get to go do gymnastics, Mom! Gymnastics!!" So we carefully counted…
Discipleship Tools… Family Devotion Calendar 18 Apr 202213 Apr 2022 By Justin Rossow Our mission at Next Step Press is to cultivate the kinds of people and resources that help you delight in taking a next step following Jesus. In…
