Becoming Ourselves

Transparency. Vulnerability. Authenticity. Biblical leadership tenets long before they were business principles. The psalmist David, that king from whom the Messiah descended, embraced them wholeheartedly. But it feels more complicated, or maybe just riskier, in our own lives.  Teachers, business leaders, university employees, social workers. People with jobs and responsibilities and reputations to uphold. Each

Read More

and so light appeared

Mornings are dark; the days get shorter. The local chickens lay fewer eggs. I just ordered a sunrise simulation alarm clock. Reading the reviews, I am reminded of the many effects of light- and darkness. On mood, health, and motivation. “People don’t light a lamp and then put it in a closet or under a

Read More

Persistent Love

God’s recruiting and hiring practices do not match standard HR procedures. Jonah did not apply for the job of doomsday preacher. Then again, I get the feeling there were no applicants. That’s the rub; some jobs are more popular than others. The Lord’s word came to Jonah, Amittai’s son: “Get up and go to Nineveh,

Read More

A Destination in Mind

Mostly we do church as usual. Every Sunday. Same time, same place. Worship, Prayer, Teaching. Each of us serving once a month in our area of technology, singing, kids, or hospitality. The rhythm of our lives of faith and community.  For years. Jesus’ ministry was like that. Every Sabbath teaching in a synagogue. Traveling around.

Read More

Our Brother

Tucking in the edges of our wedding quilt to prepare for a young houseguest, I was contemplating family. Colorful squares of trees, red wagons, houses, and hearts lovingly sewn by relatives and friends. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers.  Weddings showcase these relationships- family by birth and by choice. Laboring in the kitchen, decorating the venue, staying

Read More

Camp Healing Heart

Elizabeth Rieke has been a worship leader and active participant of NCF for many years. Here she shares her passionate ministry expressed through her work as a hospice social worker. May it touch the healing parts of your heart as well. -Renée Camp Healing Heart is coming!  Every fall, these words bring stress and bubbling excitement

Read More

What Lucy Saw

Aslan is on the move. What? Springing to mind surprisingly, years since my childhood devouring of Narnia books. I don’t remember reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to my children. (Likely, Jubal had that pleasure 🙂 But yesterday I caught a glimpse. A forgotten email from five months ago received an unexpected response. After months of

Read More

Being Radical

Vern Fein has been a teacher, a pastor, an advocate for justice, a believer, and an active community member for many years. He shares here how his new book (available Sept 15 at NCF) emerged from his experiences of coming to faith from the radical counterculture of the Sixties. May his story inspire and intrigue

Read More

Our Very Lives

I believe in going to visit people. In their homes. Where they are. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been traveling so much lately. The people I love are spread out, and Central Illinois is not central for everyone. So this verse caught my attention today: As you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, our visit with you

Read More

Hidden Potential

I wore my Blue Ridge Respect T-shirt to the gym today. My former co-workers are starting the school year without a contract. I am grateful, but sometimes still surprised, to no longer be a K-8 counselor.  I thought I was living into my potential- creating curriculum, teaching every day, leading small groups, counseling individuals, mediating conflicts, manipulating master

Read More
1 22 23 24 25 26 49