A Glorious Beginning

by Christina Fox, in category Grief

PATSY KUIPERS|GUEST Death has visited my family often in October. Three of my four grandparents, a beloved aunt, a cherished uncle – all six passed away during the tenth month of different years. This past fall found us bereaved once again, as my son-in-law's grandfather completed his earthly sojourn in mid-October. His memorial service was… Read More

Dec252017Nov 16 2017

Merry Christmas

by Christina Fox, in category Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and yours from enCourage! About the Author: Christina Fox Christina received her undergraduate degree from Covenant College and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She writes for a number of Christian ministries and publications including Revive Our Hearts, Desiring God, Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, and Ligonier Ministries.… Read More

Dec212017Jan 3 2018

The Merriment of Christmas

by Christina Fox, in category Christmas

LEAH FARISH|GUEST Better than any greeting card or bright package was the news that Mary received that she was going to bear Jesus, the Savior. Her humble response—“Be it unto me according to Your Word”—is called “the Fiat,” or “may it be so.” Then she ran off to share the news with her cousin Elizabeth. … Read More

Dec182017Nov 15 2017

When the Holidays Bring Heartache: Encouragement from Psalm 18

by Christina Fox, in category Christmas

SARAH IVILL|GUEST Perhaps no other season exposes our suffering, sin, and shame, more than the holidays. Family and friends, food and fun, mistletoe and magical lights surround us, and yet they often accentuate our suffering instead of relieving it. The same family and friends that can be such a source of comfort can also be… Read More

Dec142017Dec 14 2017

An Empty-Handed Christmas

by Christina Fox, in category Christmas

ELIZABETH GARN|GUEST The day after Thanksgiving is a pretty big day for me; it’s the day I start getting ready for Christmas dinner. It takes me a full month because, as I’m sure you can imagine, there is a lot to do! There are Christmas trees to be trimmed, mantles to be decorated, and candles… Read More

Dec112017Nov 14 2017

Christmas: It’s All About the Gifts

by Christina Fox, in category Christmas

MELISSA KRUGER|CONTRIBUTOR It is the season of gift giving. Currently, my tree is bursting with presents beneath it. I love considering just the right gifts for neighbors, friends, and family, especially my husband and children. Each person’s name under the tree is special to me in some way. The part of gift giving I enjoy… Read More

Dec72017Nov 14 2017

Disabilities and the Gospel: An Interview with Stephanie Hubach

by Christina Fox, in category Ministry

EDITOR|CHRISTINA FOX Editor's note: the following is an interview with Stephanie Hubach about her new role at Covenant Theological Seminary. Christina: What is your new role at CTS? How is it different than the role you had before at MNA? Stephanie: My role at MNA (for almost 10 years) was serving as the founding Director of… Read More

Dec42017Nov 13 2017

The Gift of the Little Drummer Boy

by Christina Fox, in category Christmas

KRISTEN HATTON|CONTRIBUTOR Since I was a child, the “Little Drummer Boy” has been a favorite Christmas song of mine. I love all the “pa rum pum pums,” maybe because even someone as musically challenged as me can sing those! But last year during the holiday season while reading Ann Voskamp’s advent devotional book, The Greatest Gift, I… Read More