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 Facing the Simul of Cancer 7 Nov 20237 Nov 2023 From a Fellow Traveler As All Saints' Day rolls by I imagine a few folks might have heard preaching about being both saint and sinner at the same time. If…
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…
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…
Exegetical Study What Then is This Child Going to Be? 6 Dec 20226 Dec 2022 By Conrad Gempf Zechariah and Elizabeth are excited about their child. And for good reason: the events surrounding John’s birth amazed everyone who heard about it! All the neighbors were…
Reflections on God, Faith, and Promises 10 Nov 2022 By Jamie Wiechman Exactly five years and three months ago, I believed God for something impossible. It wasn’t a promise directly out of Scripture (though it was surrounded by Scripture…
For My Friends Today is Where the Gift is. 19 Oct 2022 By Jamie Wiechman A few years ago, it was brought to my attention that I had a lot of discontentment. I’ll be honest: that feedback stung a bit. I was in…
How are You Doing? 13 Oct 2022 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…
For My Friends Enough for the Next Step 12 Jan 20222 Nov 2022 By Alli Bauck The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) It…
For My Friends I’ve Got You Surrounded! 1 Dec 20211 Nov 2022 By Justin Rossow In Philippians 4:4–7, Paul is landing the plane on his letter to these dear friends with some final words of exhortation and encouragement. Verse 7 includes a…
Uncategorized My Christmas Letter to God 26 Nov 20212 Nov 2022 By Alli Bauck Every year around this time I debate sending a family Christmas card. In previous years I have justified my participation in this holiday tradition because we had…
Faith Experiment A New Walk 21 Oct 20212 Nov 2022 By Raelyn Pracht I recently wanted to start a simple new habit to reach a certain step count every day. I knew two things going into this: (1) I needed…
Noticing the Schemes of the Accuser 31 Aug 202125 Jan 2022 By Jamie Wiechman This morning I had to wake up early. That’s not completely unusual for me, but today it was my responsibility to drive my daughter to school. While…
Discipleship Tools… A Prayer Life Audit 20 Aug 20213 Nov 2021 By Raelyn Pracht I have always been amazed and, admittedly, a bit intimidated hearing other people pray. Conversing with the Almighty seems to come naturally to my friends—the words dripping…
Unexpected Emotions 6 Jun 20216 Jun 2021 By Kim Longden One evening during the recent Memorial Day weekend I took a walk through our neighborhood. It was noticeably quieter than usual—many houses empty and closed up as…
Discipleship Tools The Trinity and Praying for the Spirit 30 May 2021 By Justin Rossow In Acts 2, Peter says that the risen and ascended Christ has poured out the Spirit at Pentecost. In John 14, Jesus says he will ask, and…
Send Somebody; Anybody! 27 May 20213 Nov 2021 By Justin Rossow I have been sad all day today. I can't really tell you why. Or, rather, the sadness comes from many different sources, some of which I am…
Discipleship Tools… Walking in Prayer 26 May 2021 By Alli Bauck I remember being introduced to the concept of a prayer walk when I was in 8th grade. My confirmation class was enjoying a weekend retreat at a…
