What chronic illness taught me about grace
Voices of Faith

What chronic illness taught me about grace

If you’d asked me a decade ago what grace meant to me, I’m not sure I could have answered. Or I would have said something like “the gifts of God…
I’m a Lutheran: Don Knuth
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Don Knuth

First Lutheran Church, Palo Alto, Calif. Retired college professor My faith has been a source of inspiration because I believe God is pleased when people create innovations that make our…
Waiting in Jerusalem
Voices of Faith

Waiting in Jerusalem

At 15 and 13 years old, my children still wait and expect the gifts they requested for Christmas. With each passing year, they are almost sure they’ll get what they…
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Voices of Faith

What biblical scholars don’t do

Most of us in the religion business can relate to this scenario: you are on a plane and end up sitting next to someone who asks you, “What do you…
3 songs, 2 themes, 1 awe-inspiring Messiah
Voices of Faith

3 songs, 2 themes, 1 awe-inspiring Messiah

One of my favorite parts of Advent and Christmas are the songs. I especially like “We Three Kings” because it describes Jesus’ life, death and resurrection from the point of…
Come, thou unexpected Jesus
Voices of Faith

Come, thou unexpected Jesus

I was dreading Christmas. As a pastoral intern serving across the country from my family, I didn’t have the money or time to make it home for the holiday. My…
Surrendering
Voices of Faith

Surrendering

I’ve always wondered why so many people flocked out to see John the Baptist in the wilderness. Studying in Chicago many summers ago, I regularly encountered a wild-looking guy on…
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Voices of Faith

Finding home: Coming home to Earth

Our notions about who God is and where God is are powerful conceptions. As Franciscan priest and writer Richard Rohr has said, “Our operative image of God is the first…
A simple thanks-giving
Voices of Faith

A simple thanks-giving

We all bow our heads around the table and close our eyes, except for my youngest son, Alistair. He’s the one who will lead the prayer. His 3-year-old eyes remain…
I’m a Lutheran: Jenna Novosel
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Jenna Novosel

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Severna Park, Md. Junior at Roanoke College, Salem, Va., majoring in literary studies with a minor in creative writing I find grace in nearly every possible…