By Ruth Stoltzfus, associate professor of nursing DEVOTIONAL: When I was a child, my Sunday School teacher gave each of us an old dried up lump of something. She had us put this lump in a pot of dirt, gave us instructions to water it regularly and put it in the sunshine with the promise … Keep reading »

By Bethany Swope, director of church relations DEVOTIONAL: We know the Good Friday story. We also know that it’s not the end of the story, that resurrection awaits. But for today, we linger in the deep sadness and disillusionment of the followers of Jesus. We grieve for his mother, as she watches the suffering of … Keep reading »

By Heather Zimmerman, a senior American Sign Language major from Barrigada, Guam DEVOTIONAL: When I read this passage, I was struck by Jesus and Simon Peter’s conversation. Jesus predicts Simon’s denial in verses 31-32 saying that, “Simon… But I have pleaded in prayer for you … that your faith should not fail. So when you … Keep reading »

By Andrea Dalton, assistant professor of Bible, religion and philosophy DEVOTIONAL: I have to confess that Lent has seemed really long to me this year. I feel like the child in the backseat asking, “Are we there yet?” Haven’t we repented and fasted enough? Aren’t we good now?

By Kathryn Schlabach, a senior molecular biology/biochemistry major from Turner, Ore. DEVOTIONAL: Loneliness is one of the most profound human emotions. Isolation from other human beings, from the vital connection of community, can be devastating. Sometimes this isolation is physical; at other times, we can be in a room full of people and not feel … Keep reading »

By Kevin Gary, assistant professor of secondary education THIS WEEK’S THEME: Alive in Christ DEVOTIONAL: The theme of this week is “Alive in Christ.” I am reminded of second century theologian St. Irenaeus’s saying, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive.” Yet what does it mean to be fully alive? For insight, … Keep reading »

By Ruth Hochstetler, day circulation supervisor at the college’s Good Library DEVOTIONAL: In Sunday School long ago, I remember creating construction paper palm leaves to illustrate this text. Another Palm Sunday, I might have acted as a palm waver in the church’s Passion Play performance; one young voice among many shouting the familiar line, “Hosanna, … Keep reading »

By Kara Mishler, a senior elementary education and special education major from Shipshewana, Ind. DEVOTIONAL: I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard this Scripture read, preached about or reflected on. Its popularity is shown in the countless songs written to reflect the last few verses. But at the root of it all, the … Keep reading »

By Arienne Johnson, a senior history and Bible and religion double major from Herndon, Va. DEVOTIONAL: As a kid I faced a daunting personal dilemma known as “indecision.” With two stubbornly opinionated older sisters dominating matters at home, I learned from an early age that to “agree” was a survival tactic. No use holding a … Keep reading »

By Rachel Nafziger, a junior elementary education major from Harrisonburg, Va. DEVOTIONAL: “Nothing’s going right,” I quietly moan. It’s 12:23 a.m., and the computer screen in front of me flashes, taunting in its robotic hum. “An error has occurred in a third party module”….