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…
Exegetical Study… Walk in Newness of Life 17 Nov 202217 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow We use Romans 6:5 at funerals all the time, but to paraphrase Inigo Montoya, “You keep using that verse; I don’t think it means what you think…
Cultural Studies Your Eternal Life Starts Now 8 Nov 20229 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow In his famous allegorical narrative, The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis has his most reliable character say: “Both good and evil, when they are fully grown, become…
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;…
Uncategorized How are You Doing? 13 Oct 20228 Jul 2024 OR The Roller Coaster of Transition By Jamie Wiechman “How are you doing?” is the innocent question that leaves me fumbling for words. Some people are blessedly able to offer…
Disciple LIke You Mean It… Non-Judgmental Noticing 7 Oct 202215 Nov 2023 The Next Step PodcastSeason 6: My Next Step, Vol 1: Getting StartedEpisode 2.3: Non-Judgmental NoticingDate: 06 October 2022Guest: Jamie Wiechman, Cofounder of Breathe Life Ministries Also available on: Apple Podcasts,…
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…
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… It is Finished; and … 6 Apr 20221 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow The last words of Jesus on the cross hold deep comfort and promise. And Jesus is still at work, for us. I recently received some concerned feedback…
For My Friends Star Day! 11 Jan 20221 Nov 2022 By Katie Helmreich I mailed my sister some star-shaped post-it notes this week. A package with a shiny star garland will arrive at her house tomorrow! My brother-in-law is out…
Discipling Leaders… O Holy Night 18 Dec 2021 The Next Step PodcastSeason 3: Light in the DarknessEpisode 8: O Holy NightDate: 18 December 2021Guest: Jamie Wiechman, Cofounder of Breathe Life Ministries Also available on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts,…
For My Friends Ivy for Dana 10 Sep 20211 Nov 2022 By Kristeen A. Bruun I attend a lot of funerals. Partly, as I age, I of course know more people who die. But also, I grew up in a small…
For My Friends The Christ in the Mouth of My Brother or Sister 7 Sep 20212 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow Our youngest daughter started high school today. Oof. I remember my dad dropping me off for my first day of high school, so it was an honor…
The Moors of March 26 Mar 202126 Mar 2021 By Katie Helmreich I love winter, spring, summer, and fall! But March always catches me off guard. For my entire life, it's come right after February and before April. And…
Uncategorized Our Family Covid-versary Meal 23 Feb 202123 Feb 2021 By Heidi Goehmann This last week, I noted to a friend that I could feel the ghosts of grief clawing just at the corners of my psyche. It wasn't that…
Cultural Studies… Loss of the Familiar 20 Feb 2021 By Jamie Wiechman Do you remember what it was like before life started throwing us so many curveballs? When work, school, sports, restaurants, churches, etc. were a standard part of…
There Won’t Always be Candles in the Fireplace 18 Feb 202116 Feb 2021 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah…
Discipleship Tools The Ash Cross of Ash Wednesday 16 Feb 202117 Feb 2021 By Justin Rossow Even as a kid I loved the quiet, dark, and solemn mood of the Ash Wednesday service. And I’ve always loved receiving the sign of the cross…
