December 28 - The Decade of Discovery By Melissa MacGregor, a junior from Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.
Devotional:
My father has always referred to the age window of 20 to 29 years as "The
Decade of Discovery." Since my 20th birthday in August, I feel as though
I've hit... Dec 27
December 27 - A host of contradictions By Sami Fulton, a senior molecular biology/biochemistry and chemistry double major from Shreve, Ohio
Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18 (NRSV) Scroll down for complete scripture.
Devotional: After Christmas most people hurriedly take down the tree, put presents in their proper location and basically forget that Christmas even happened. Sure, they might use...... Dec 27
December 26 - Just the beginning By Kaleem Kheshgi, a junior music major from Evanston, Ill.
Scripture: Psalm 148 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
I get to sleep in today, the day after Christmas. I get to look out the window at the usually gloomy weather and smile. I probably won't even go outside... Dec 25
December 25 - In all our distress, Christ became our Savior!
By Jim Brenneman, president
Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
When the world turned on its axis from evening to that first Christmas morning, something so stupendous, so miraculous, so divine happened that life as we know it forever changed. Isaiah, the prophet, foretold it this... Dec 25
December 24 - Like us in every respect By Steve Nolt, professor of history
Week's theme: Praise the Lord!
Devotional:
By today â?? Christmas Eve â?? the atmosphere of anticipation in our household is palpable. For our daughters, ages five and seven, the excitement generated by the expectation of tomorrow â?? expectation of seeing grandparents, playing with cousins...... Dec 23
December 21 - Called to a higher righteousness By Lisa Guedea Carreño, library director
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
According to Jewish practice in Joseph's time, engagement, or betrothal, was more than just a commitment between two parties that would eventually (if all went well) result in marriage. Rather, in those days engagement...... Dec 20
December 20 - Restoring my spirit By Grace Eidmann, a junior social work and theater double major from Antioch, Ill.
Scripture: Romans 1:1-7 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
The holiday season can often be chaotic and overwhelming. Personally, there is nothing I enjoy more than curling up by the fire with a steaming mug... Dec 19
December 19 - Restoring the neighborhood By Carol Willis, academic support administrative assistant
Scripture: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
Something about restoration has always appealed to me. I've always thought I'd like to restore an old gem of a house. I have refinished old furniture, and trash-to-treasure shows on TV... Dec 18
December 18 - The chill of winter By Luke Gascho, executive director of Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College
Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-16 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
The long nights and chill of winter bring into question the reality of spring. While I enjoy all the seasons, there is a point in winter... Dec 17
December 17 - Refurbishing a dream home By Julie White Armstrong, assistant professor of American Sign Language
This weekâ??s theme: "Be restored"
Devotional:
As I think about this week's theme, "Be restored," I can't help but think of my home and the restoration process it has been through over the past year. I wonder how she must... Dec 16
December 14 - A wounded human community By Christine Guth, adjunct professor of Bible
Scripture: Matthew 11: 2-11 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
Jesus invites John's disciples to recognize the reign of God in the miraculous undoing of intractable problems: People once oppressed by various limitations are now seeing, walking, hearing, finding life and receiving...... Dec 14
December 13 - Have patience. Have patience. By Karen Graber, a senior elementary education major from Hurley, S.D.
Scripture: James 5:7-10 (NRSV)
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Devotional:
"Have patience. Have patience. Don't be in such a hurry, cause
when you're impatient you always start to worry. Remember, remember,
that God is patient too. And think of... Dec 12
December 12 - The justice of Yahweh By Ruth Hochstetler, day circulation supervisor
in the Good Library
Scripture: Psalm 146:5-10 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete
scripture.
Devotional:
Notice how every verse makes a declaration about
the Lord who is defined by the Psalmist as the
Maker of heaven and earth and the One who keeps
faith forever.... Dec 12
December 11 - Leveling the inequality of candles By Malinda Elizabeth Berry, visiting scholar in
religion and women�s studies.
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10 (NRSV)
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scripture.
Devotional:
I grew up with Advent wreaths. Each year, my
mother would arrange evergreens with brand new
purple and pink taper candles just so. Even though I
liked the way... Dec 10
December 10 - In the bold and in the simple By Ross Peterson-Veatch, curriculum director for the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning
Week's theme: Rejoice!
Devotional:
Rejoice! Jesus is coming! The prophet and the psalmist in this week's Scriptures speak of miracles of healing. The New Testament passages remind us to be patient and vigilant. These verses show us... Dec 9
December 7 - Take heart for the kingdom of heaven is near By John Yordy, provost
Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 (NRSV)
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scripture.
Devotional:
Too often we see evidence that the kingdom of
heaven is not near at hand. For some, the bondage
of addiction has never been broken. There are
homeless and hungry in our towns. Children are
orphaned... Dec 6
December 6 - Coming to restore unity By Phil Schmidt, a junior Bible and religion
major from Berne, Ind.
Scripture: Romans 15:4-13 (NRSV)
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scripture.
Devotional:
Paul is speaking on practical terms in this section of
his letter to the Romans. The first several chapters
of Romans speak about the theology of Christianity,
and... Dec 5
December 5 - Mountains that bring prosperity By James Weber, a senior communication major
from Reading, Pa.
Scripture: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (NRSV)
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scripture.
Devotional:
As I attended the "Church of Reality" in Guatemala
City one Sunday morning in late October, it was
hard for me to see the glory of God in the... Dec 4
December 4 - Waiting is not a passive act By Kathryn Schlabach, a sophomore molecular
biology and biochemistry double major from
Turner, Ore.
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete scripture.
Devotional:
Advent is a period of waiting. Unfortunately, waiting
is something I have never been fond of. Ask my
parents. As a child, waiting for dinner, in... Dec 3
December 3 - Take heart By Carolyn Schrock-Shenk, associate professor
of peace, justice and conflict studies
This week's theme: Take heart!
Devotional:
Last week I gave my students the assignment of
going to a reputable website (
http://www.nationalpriorities.org/Cost-of-
War/Cost-of-War-3.html ) and computing the
cost of the war in Iraq per minute. The numbers... Dec 2
November 30 - Big Changes to Come By Sheldon Good, a junior communication and
business double major from Telford, Pa.
Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 (NRSV)
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scripture.
Devotional: The weather â?? it's one
of the most common points
of everyday conversation. I am obsessed with
meteorology and love following my computer's
Desktop Weather program... Nov 29
November 29 - A worthy message indeed By Amy Showalter, a junior Bible and religion
major from Harrisonburg, Va.
Scripture: Romans 13:11-14 (NRSV)
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scripture.
Devotional:
At first it might seem odd to consider this passage
in the light of Advent. The general call to "live
honorably" (and itâ??s more explicit explanations)
seem out... Nov 28
November 28 - Lost in the moment By Bryce Bow, a junior physical education major
from Muncie, Ind.
Scripture: Psalm 122 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete scripture.
Devotional:
"May those who love you be secure. May there be
peace within your walls and security within your
citadels." Each one of us can recall a time in our... Nov 27
November 27 - Prepare, turn away and take up the cause By Tamara Shantz, assistant campus pastor
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete
scripture. Devotional:
Because of college and graduate school, my
experience of Advent until now has been obscured
by the realities of exams and the end of a semester.
My preparations for Christmas have typically been
limited... Nov 26
