By Rebecca Hernandez, director of the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning DEVOTIONAL: I look back on that perfect day in early fall, sunny and cool, flowers fading but still glorious, and I was in “the groove.” You know those days, where things come together and you know you are exactly where you’re supposed to … Keep reading »

By Ben Sutter, a junior communication and history double major THIS WEEK’S THEME: Hold Fast DEVOTIONAL: The first semester of my junior year has been a rough semester for me. I’ve felt the strain of long work hours and overwhelming amounts of homework. Life itself can be overwhelming. I’ve struggled to find time to just … Keep reading »

By Steve Nolt, professor of history DEVOTIONAL: Today’s text offers us “the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.” As we read on, if we’re honest, it’s something of an odd beginning. Or at least an unexpected beginning. True, the story begins with reference to the prophet Isaiah, and faithful readers of the Hebrew … Keep reading »

By Emma Brooks, a junior art major from Littleton, Colo. DEVOTIONAL: We all have expectations of what the ‘day of the Lord’ might be like. I remember as a child wondering what it would be like, though I was strongly influenced by the “Left Behind” movie. I remember having irrational rapture scares when my dad … Keep reading »

By Paul Keim, professor of Bible and religion DEVOTIONAL: A command resounds throughout the divine assembly, addressing the attendant beings gathered before Yahweh. The heavens have been burdened with the sufferings of a people. The sheer gravity of their loss, the trauma of their fate, the numbness that has settled upon a once thriving community, … Keep reading »

By Leanna Teodosio, a sophomore sociology and Bible and religion double major from Lima, Ohio DEVOTIONAL: When I think of the Advent Season I can’t help but think of the tradition in our home surrounding the Advent calendar that hangs on display at this time of year. As we count down in gleeful expectation of … Keep reading »

By Luke Gascho, executive director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center THIS WEEK’S THEME: Salvation is at hand DEVOTIONAL: The lovely apple trees that I planted more than a decade ago in my back yard are now bare. There was a good crop this year, but no fruit remains on the spurs or branches. There … Keep reading »

By Karina Rohrer-Meck, a junior nursing major from Archbold, Ohio DEVOTIONAL: What an inspiring verse to study with going into the first Sunday of Advent, the season of hope. Sometimes when I think about the day Jesus returns, fear overcomes all other feelings. At first, these verses can have the same impact, instilling the idea … Keep reading »

By Becky Horst, associate registrar DEVOTIONAL: Each morning, my husband Ken and I face each other with outstretched arms and greet the new day with thankfulness. We began this little ritual after walking through the valley of the shadow of death last summer. In that walk we learned that gratitude is the bedrock of faith. … Keep reading »

By Joshua Delp, a senior English and Bible and religion double major from Sellersville, Pa. DEVOTIONAL: The theme for this week of advent is “Restore us.” But whom do we really need to restore? Ezekiel 34 speaks from the tradition of those held captive in a foreign land. The Hebrew people had been forcibly brought … Keep reading »