Cultural Studies Great (and Not-So-Great) Expectations 17 Aug 20221 Nov 2022 By Ted Hopkins Expectations are a funny beast. On vacation this summer, we ate at a restaurant that was a bit sketchy when we first walked in. They had open…
Cultural Studies… Mary and Martha, GPA or GPS? 28 Jul 202215 Nov 2023 By Justin Rossow (with Valerie Matyas) A couple of weeks ago, I got to lead a Next Step workshop at a congregation outside Buffalo, New York. As part of the…
For My Friends Peace in the Process 14 Jul 20222 Nov 2022 By Kim Longden A few days ago, I was sitting in the optometrist’s office with nine-year-old Jonah listening to the hushed tones of the eye exam in progress: “What is…
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…
Exegetical Study The god in My Pocket 15 Jun 20222 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow A friend of mine has a collection of artifacts from the Holy Land in his office, including a woven basket full of household gods. These crude figurines…
Exegetical Study… Money, in a Fish 7 Jun 20222 Nov 2022 By Kim Longden When my oldest son was little, we read from the Beginner’s Bible each night at bedtime. One night we opened up to a story entitled “Money in…
Exegetical Study Faithful Change 6 Jun 20221 Nov 2022 By Ted Hopkins In my last post, I ended by saying faithfulness to Jesus leads us to faithful change, despite our deep and abiding reluctance to do so. In that…
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…
Cultural Studies… Change? Who Said Anything about Change? 26 Apr 20221 Nov 2022 By Ted Hopkins Almost every Lutheran knows the old joke about how many Lutherans it takes to change a light bulb. “Change? Who said anything about change?” After an initial…
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…
Exegetical Study… Good Friday and God’s Failure 15 Apr 202211 Mar 2024 By Justin Rossow Of course, we know the big picture. We have the benefit of hindsight, and we know that the open tomb is just around the corner. Of course,…
Disciple LIke You Mean It… The Parable of the Pottery Class 21 Mar 202215 Nov 2023 By Justin Rossow The regular habit of following Jesus requires regular habits...In short, you are saved by grace alone. And you can actually get better at following Jesus. Back in…
Exegetical Study Why am I so Thirsty? 18 Mar 20221 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow As dropsies, though filled with fluid, crave drink,so money-lovers, though loaded with money, crave more of it;yet both to their own demise. —Diogenes the Cynic (ca 300…
Disciple LIke You Mean It… Take a S.M.A.R.T. Next Step 16 Mar 202215 Nov 2023 By Justin Rossow Following Jesus can seem like an overwhelming challenge. Of all the things I could do, what should I do? Of all the steps I might take, which…
Cultural Studies… Getting to the Heart of the Matter 25 Feb 20222 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow I recently heard my good friends Steve and Jamie from Breathe Life Ministries lead a presentation on noticing yourself with God. As part of that workshop, they…
For My Friends Walking in the Light 5 Feb 20222 Nov 2022 By Kristeen Bruun I am in love with God again. It won’t last, I know that. It never does. But for now, I am enjoying walking light upon the earth,…
Uncategorized Be Mine 3 Feb 20222 Nov 2022 By Alli Bauck Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by name, you are Mine. Isaiah 43:1b (ESV) For the past seven months I’ve been carrying around…
