By Jan Emswiler, assistant professor of nursing DEVOTIONAL: In these verses, I am struck once again by how God works with and through ordinary people, and how these important stories must be told and retold. In doing so, the retelling becomes a form of praise and adoration of the Creator and Sustainer.

By Sara Klassen, a sophomore psychology major from Goshen, Ind. THIS WEEK’S THEME: The revelation of the mystery DEVOTIONAL: Questions: the mark of human nature. We want to know why things happen and how things work. We want to predict the future and explain the past. Google provides a world of information at our fingertips. … Keep reading »

By Heather Goertzen, resident director DEVOTIONAL: It was just over a year ago that I was introduced to the Mennonite game. I grew up a “Coaster,” a funny and indecipherable surname, unindicative of its Polish roots, and married a Mennonite in a far away land where “Goertzen” was as unique (strange) as the gringos who … Keep reading »

By Alicia Hofer, a sophomore elementary education major from Dolton, S.D. DEVOTIONAL: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. We know this is not our first nature. How many times do we have a rough day, not wanting to rejoice, failing to pray because we don’t find the time or the … Keep reading »

By Saralyn Murray, a junior American sign language major from Orrville, Ohio DEVOTIONAL: When reflecting on the theme “awesome deeds we do not expect,” I am reminded of an incident from my summer. I was driving from my home in Ohio to the peaceful woods of Camp Friedenswald in Michigan. About an hour from my … Keep reading »

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 »