TOPIC INDEXChurch Seasons (9)

  1. I'll be Home for Epiphany

    book
    01/06/21
    15 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    This year, I’m more excited for Epiphany than I am for Christmas.

  2. To Us a Child is Born: Everlasting Father

    book
    12/15/20
    12 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    The well-meaning advice “time heals all wounds” is offensively false when we confront the overwhelming evidence that the constants in our lives are death, taxes, and suffering.

  3. What Diet Coke Taught Me About Pentecost

    book
    05/29/20
    15 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    Our use–or disuse–of language reveals a deeper need than a bubbly carbonated soda. It highlights a gift given and a gift fallen, and it leaves us thirsting for a gift restored.

  4. The End is in Sight

    book
    12/26/19
    15 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    We think that if we are good enough, brave enough, or at least if we try hard enough, we will be someone who can be both fully known and fully loved.

  5. The Day of Choosing

    book
    04/12/19
    14 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    This day was a day of choosing. On this day, Jewish households would select their Passover lambs (Ex. 12:3-6). The lambs had to be without blemish, the best of the best.

  6. Goodbye Alleluia

    book
    04/04/19
    13 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    Every misty road and agonizing moment of indecision reminds us that life is not about becoming—or finding—perfection. Life is the One who is perfect.

  7. When Up Comes Down

    book
    12/19/18
    13 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    He is and evermore shall be God With Us: though we await His second physical Advent, He is still fully human and fully present in His Word and Sacraments.

  8. Our Empty Hope Chest

    book
    12/14/18
    14 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    This blog is a part of our Advent series on the hope we find in, through and given by Christ. Each week’s installment will look at hope from a different perspective with special emphasis on corresponding passages of Scripture.

  9. Seven Stanzas at Maundy Thursday

    book
    03/29/18
    13 mins
    By Valerie Thur
    There is something about high art forms that touches the soul.