by Anne Edison-Albright They started to notice a pattern. About a week or two before Bob had to leave for his next military deployment, Bob and Barb would start fighting. Usually it was about something little, but the arguments didn’t feel little at the time. When they realized the pattern and the timing of […]
by Amanda Zentz-Alo Created in God’s image, human beings are strong, creative and powerful. Our bodies are intricate and magnificent creations, filled with mystery and wonder. So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired […]
by Samantha Nichols In the parable we call “The Good Samaritan,” Jesus reminds us that our neighbors are not only those with whom we agree or those we like. In his time and place, Jews and Samaritans bore a great deal of animosity toward one another, and yet, it is a Samaritan who exemplifies […]
by Anne Edison-Albright The Woman of Valor, a character from Proverbs can be read as a perpetuation of old stereotypes, an example of women’s equality and also as something in between. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a share […]
by Emily Carson Envy is dehydrating to the both the body and the soul. To envy is to want what someone else has; it is to believe that whatever we have is not enough–that we need to do more and be better. Envy is painful and exhausting, and it doesn’t bring out our best selves. […]
by Sonia C. Solomonson It wasn’t your ordinary 60th birthday party. In fact, it wasn’t a birthday party at all. My invitation read: “With thanks for what is . . . and for what will be. To age is a treasured gift. To celebrate my gift of turning 60, I am gathering special women […]
by Michelle Terry “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) I have never been accused of being a morning person. For at least the first 15 minutes after waking up, I greet the day with feelings that […]
by Collette Broady Grund From the moment he began speaking, Jesus laid out an agenda that was political—especially in Luke’s gospel. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” he read from Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth, “because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent […]
by Jennifer Hackbarth My 5-year-old daughter picks out her own clothes every day. I’m always impressed with the way she chooses appropriate clothing for the weather, even if she hasn’t looked outside before getting dressed. I often mention her amazing dressing ability to my husband–who doesn’t find it nearly as remarkable as I do–and I […]
by Angela T. Khabeb Very few women are mentioned in all four gospels. Well-known exceptions are Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the women who arrive at Jesus’ empty tomb. Another is the enduring story of the woman with the alabaster jar. Each gospel writer records her courageous actions from a different perspective (Matthew […]