We’ve been waiting for and working toward this day for more than two years — the day we would get to swing wide our virtual doors and welcome you to our new online living room. We wanted to create a fresh home where women can gather in a beautiful, comfortable space to connect deeply with God and others. And the day is finally here! Welcome to the new (in)courage Living Room!
Launching a new website isn’t just about an updated design; it’s about making our visual representation match the heartbeat of (in)courage.
Whether you’ve been part of the (in) sisterhood since its inception in 2009 or you just found us today, we want you to know that (in)courage is a place for authentic, brave women just like you. Through the power of shared stories and meaningful resources, we lean into the strength Jesus gives to live out our calling as God’s daughters. Together, we build community, celebrate diversity, and become women of courage.
And we’re so glad YOU are here! We don’t take one woman, one visitor, or long-time friend for granted.
Welcoming you to our new online home is the perfect time to invite you to get to know us a little more through our three core values: community, diversity, and courage.
Community: There’s a spot for you in the living room.
We believe in piling together on the couch, lounging in comfy chairs, sprawling out on the floor, and creating a big ol’ comfy circle of sisters who are always ready to shift and smoosh together to make space for more. In our living room, you can come just the way you are. We link arms as God’s daughters and champion those who are willing to give voice to our unspoken struggles. We grapple together over issues we can’t easily solve. We lean on one another for wisdom, strength, and insight beyond our own experience.
Community means we bend low, listen long, offer what we have, mourn, celebrate, ask forgiveness, and extend grace upon grace. We gather to speak hope over broken hearts and infuse purpose and courage into the gloriously ordinary every day. We share our unique stories – joys and struggles equally fleshed out – for the purpose of pointing others to the eternal hope of Jesus Christ. This is what it means to be (in) community. We’re always better when we make time to gather in the living room together.
Diversity: We are many voices, stories, and skin tones with one heart for Jesus.
We desire to become a more complete representation of the kingdom of God and foster unity in the body of Christ. We embrace the unique gifting and diverse experiences of different women. We desire readers of varied backgrounds, ages, and life stages to come to (in)courage and hear reflections of their own stories. We also want women to learn from stories unlike their own in order to grow in compassion, understanding, and unity as God’s daughters.
There are currently twenty-four women who write regularly for (in)courage, spanning five decades and representing all different backgrounds, ethnicities, and geographic locations. We celebrate our diversity by sharing what Jesus looks like in our beautiful, mundane, and often messy lives.
Courage: We can become brave together.
Like Shiphrah and Puah from the Bible, we are ordinary women with an extraordinary opportunity to make this one life we’ve been given count. Not that we’re striving for some big moment, but we’re faithfully striding (or stumbling) along, day by day, moment by moment, in step with Jesus so that when He asks us to go, move, leap, we will have the courage to do so. Courage comes from knowing His voice and trusting His heart. We can have courage because we step forward together as God’s beloved daughters.
So that’s who we are and what you’ll find here at (in)courage!
We wish there was a way to hand you fancy sparkling water and spread out a virtual charcuterie board so we all could enjoy this “open house” together. Nevertheless, we invite you to spend some time looking around our new online home.
As you explore, you’ll notice lots of new things, like a fresh color scheme, black and white photos, open space, and lots of resources for encouragement and connection. Every word and color, image and detail was designed to celebrate our three core values while pointing our hearts and minds to Christ. Every decision was layered with meaning. For example, each color in our beautiful pallet is assigned to a specific moment in the life of Christ. So when we use colors like Desert, Midnight, Mustard, and Myrrh, we’re thinking about those moments in Jesus’s life. It’s a behind-the-scenes detail packed full of intention and purpose.
That’s what we really want you to know. (in)courage exists on purpose for a purpose. Every word and image is written and designed with you in mind. We’ve got tons of super exciting new things to share with you in the months ahead! So keep checking back, follow us on social, and subscribe to our daily emails so you don’t miss a thing!
And sister, know that you are welcome here in our living room — always.
We hope you find love and beauty in every nook and cranny. We pray this is a place you will come to discover the power of building community, celebrating diversity, and becoming a woman of courage.
Becky,
I have been reading and loving (in)courage since its inception. At that time, God was walking with me through a very deep valley in my life and (in)courage was a huge catalyst in getting me through to the other side. The writers spoke directly to my heart, poured out love and encouragement, and literally helped me get from one day to the next. I will forever be grateful!! I’ve enjoyed being part of a family of women who are willing to keep expanding the circle to include more women. This family is inclusive, not exclusive…just look at all the lovely updated photos of all the contributors. I admit I don’t do change well so it may take me a little while to get used to the new look. It’s like when I painted my family room a different color. I didn’t know if I liked it at first, but then it grew on me. Now I LOVE it! Looking forward to hanging out in the new Living Room. Love the earthy rich color highlights!
Blessings,
Bev xx
And we are all so glad you’re here, Bev!
Bev! (in)courage would not be the same without you. God used (in)courage in those early years in a special and significant way in my heart too. So grateful for the opportunity to now serve here.
…and I get how change can be hard! What’s familiar is often more comfortable. 🙂
Wonderful Bev. thank you for walking this new journey with us!
So excited, I have loved this group for so long, it has fed me and I’ve shared what I’ve learned. Love. Love. Love.
We love hearing that so much, Elizabeth!
Congratulations, (in)courage!
Looking forward to more inspired words and more reminders that we are greatly loved!
Always a joy to share this space with you, Michele! Thanks for your faithful involvement.
Thank you, Michele, for all you bring to this community!
What a beautiful, comfortable, welcome space you’ve invited us all into. And what a powerful call to become women of courage. Celebrating with you and for you today!!
Lisa-Jo…that means everything. LOVE YOU!
Lisa-Jo! Your hard work and faithful service is still written all over the DNA of (in)courage. We’ll forever be grateful for the way you lead in your season here. Thanks for cheering us on in this new chapter! Love you big time.
“In the middle of your unfine moments…” I LOVE that word choice! I found this community a few years ago and what a blessing it has been. No perfection here, just women supporting other women through authentic stories and supportive comments. I know there is a large following here but somehow it does feel like I’m sitting on comfy couches with other women when I read their words. Love the new look!
Kellie, it means so much to read your reflection and experience here — you’ve articulated exactly what we desire for this space. So glad you’re here!
I am probably older than most of you, but would appreciate your prayers so much. One Sunday afternoon the last week in June I became deathly ill. So I drove to the hospital, they took some test and admitted me with the Corona Virus. I was there for a week, sent home, and then had to go back to the hospital. I was there for another week. I am home now and feeling great, but still quarantined. Will have a chest x-ray next week and then see the doctor a few days later. I am praying and believing that they will release me and take me off the oxygen.
I believe that if it had not been for the Lord and everyone’s prayers I would not have made it. For my age, I am very healthy and active, normally, which helped too.
I am a Christian and a Minister, and truly believe the virus has left me; I just need for you to stand with me in agreement that it is so! God Bless!
Praying for you now, Quinnelle! Such a gift to link arms as sisters in Christ in prayer here. May God bring full healing to your body and fresh hope to your soul as you continue to do the good work He has called you to.
Who wouldn’t want to gather in a living room? This is such a comfortable and welcoming space. I’m looking forward to gathering here often.
We’re so glad you love it, Mary! Always grateful you’re here.
Absolutely LOVE the aesthetic of the website. It’s clean, beautiful and very welcoming!!! I look forward to continuing my daily devotions with all of you!!
That means so much, Becky!
Hi there,
Quick question – who are Shiphrah and Puah from the Bible? My curiosity is killing me!
Thank you,
Mary
Mary – Read Exodus Chapter 1… 🙂
I have been reading incourage devotionals for a few years now. I look forward to my morning devotionals with you all. You are some amazing and talented women. Together, we are stronger. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability with us daily. I am excited to join y’all in the new living room. <3
It’s a joy to have you here, Jen. We’re honored that you choose to spend your mornings with us.
Lovely. Mostly I appreciate your emphasis on Christ and your new three emphases, but the cleaner, more legible look really makes an impact. Just so much easier to read. I like too that you are reaching out across the wide spectrum of sisters to embrace what the Body of Christ really looks like. The quality of writing remains the same (excellent!), as does the humble spirit of your authors. Ok, I know I will risk sounding a bit ridiculous, but why do you call this (in) courage? I know there is a play on words, but are you saying you write in the courage of the Lord? I have never figured this out and didn’t find it anywhere on the site. 🙂 Thanks for all you do, and especially of late to encourage a dialogue about subjects from which some Christians still shy away, but with which we grapple in the real word. I love the openness without compromising Christ and His Word!
God’s richest blessings in your new, yet familiar, ministry.
Love
Lynn
Lynn, thank you for your thoughtful feedback. That’s so encouraging to hear! And your question isn’t ridiculous at all! Founders Holley Gerth and Stephanie Bryant chose the name (in)courage to represent that true courage comes from being in Christ, which empowers us to cultivate authentic community and live out our calling as God’s daughters. So when we are (in) Christ we live (in) courage!
Wow! That’s really amazing, Becky. I’m so glad I asked. What a difference that makes in helping me to understand (in)courage’s purpose. I’m sorry if I had overlooked that in your “about” or other places, but if it is not there, I would highly (en)courage 🙂 you to include it. It does make a difference to know it. Our union with Christ, being in Him, is the foundation of who we are and how we live as Christians. It is the foundation for everything!!! Given your explanation, and again, I may have missed this on your site, but it might be good prayerfully to consider a theme verse which expresses this truth, like 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 5:20, or Acts 17:28. Just a thought! Thank you again so much for this thoughtful response and the blog. I greatly appreciate it.
Love
Lynn
Lynn, thanks for the feedback! We did have that explanation on the old site, but with our recent updates, it may have gotten left off. I’ll look into a way to add that back in.
They were the Hebrew midwives in the time of the Pharoah who “knew not Joseph” ~ they refused to kill the Hebrews’ baby boys.
And I don’t know why my post didn’t post as a reply to Mary… (about Shiphrah and Puah)?
Yes! Two remarkable women of courage whose partnership in standing up for what was right made all the difference. I love Shiphrah and Puah!
What a lovely new space! And like Mary Geisen said, “Who wouldn’t want to gather in a living room?”
Thank you, Mary!
So thankful for Incourage and the daily fellowship and growth it gives me. I’ve been challenged, uplifted, and strengthened from the devotions that resonate with me. Thank you to all of you! I appreciate your vulnerability and wisdom as you consistently share God’s word, His grace, and presence. I treasure my time each day spent with Incourage. And I love the new changes!
Cammie! Your comment made my day. So glad you’re here in the living room with us.
Congratulations! I love the encouragement and the stories and comments from everyone.
Thank you so much, Donna!
In Courage,
I have been a part of In Courage from the beginning. Loved meeting the writers & getting to know some of you well. You’ve helped many women tackle hard problems. I’ve prayed for many here-even some writers going through health issues or starting a new book launch. Love the fact that you are reaching out to ALL sisters no matter the nationality, skin color, etc. Thank you all for tackling hard subjects. Christians often shy away from those. I’m blessed to be a part of this wonderful group of women writers. I’ve seen many a writer flourish here & move on to bigger & better things. Keep up the great work. Love the new look. Easier to find things. May God continue to bless this website & the workers!
Blessings 🙂
So grateful for your words this morning, Beth!
I found (in)courage several months ago, through an email in my InBox, and now cannot wait to read them all through, including all the comments. It gives a lovely perspective to my day, and when my internet was down for almost a week recently, I almost had withdrawal symptons! At 81, and an Australian, living in Australia, I have been writing “with purpose” for over 30 years. (Christian poems, that is, which I called “Poems of Purpose” (only to find this year that Ella Wheeler Wilcox used the same name a century ago! I usually printed them as bookmarks, and laminated them, with profits going to Presbyterian charities. I have now compiled 2 books, one printed in Australia (the one with children’s poems and celebration/tribute poems) but the main one was published recently by Westbow Press in USA. It is called “Living & Learning- Poems of Purpose” by Camilla Diann (the nom-de-plume I chose). All profits from this book will go to “Jericho Road” the social services arm of the Presbyterian Church in NSW. My poems speak to the hearts of people in many circumstances, and while nothing is better than the Bible, I do feel that God has given me this gift, to proclaim in my own way, His amazing creation, love and power. I do hope you do not mind me mentioning it here, but if anyone wished to download it in the USA, the cost is not very much, and I hope some of the poems may be helpful. My prayers for all of you in the USA battling with the virus, weather patterns, fires, protests, as well as the lockdowns and personal issues. May Our Lord continue to bless each one of you, Camilla
Camilla, you are a word warrior! I love hearing how you’ve used your gifts and talents to bless so many across the globe with your poetry and impact the kingdom. Well done, sister! So glad you found your way to (in)courage!
PS: I do sometimes wish I could buy one or two of the books mentioned from time to time, but as I do not do internet banking (I am not clever enough with computers to keep it safe), I only ever – and rarely- pay through PayPal online.
Camilla
Camilla, sorry online purchasing is a barrier for you. That’s hard. Here in the U.S. our (in)courage books are also available at many retail locations, but I don’t know that they’ve made it into stores in Australia. How cool would that be though?
So lovely, (in)Courage!! Your warm welcome to readers is always generous.
Xxo
Thank you, Kris! Seeing your sweet face and comment makes me smile.
Congratulations on your new look and new endeavor. My husband is having brain surgery right now. Of course I came here for inspiration while waiting. Your words are so inspiring and provide words of comfort always. Thanks
Oh, Lauretta, I’m stopping to pray for you and your husband now. May God bring full healing and a quick recovery. So grateful He could use this place to encourage you in this season. Much love to you.
This might seem silly, but I love that a different font was chosen for the (laptop) blog posts. On the old site, the broken “u” was a stumbling point in every word that had a “u” in it! It always made me think there was an error. (I am a proofreader.) This was not an issue when reading on my phone, because apparently a different font was used for that platform!
Congrats on the new site!
Kim, I’m a details girl too so I love that the font change was meaningful for you! Thanks so much for being here.
Thanks be to God for leading me to you. What a wonderful way to enrich my soul through your sisterhood. I feel as though I just met a whole new group of friends❤️
Mary! We’re so very glad you’re here! Welcome to (in)courage.
My sister and I can share reading from afar. States apart, miles and miles yet the words bring us together from these readings. We bond in a positive mature sisterhood.