Month: May 2025

#SaturdaySong – “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome”

May 31, 2025

Happy Saturday! Dipping back into my Dylan set this week, here’s a great Bob Dylan song from his 1975 Blood on the Tracks album. He was living on his farm on the Crow River in Hanover, Minnesota, when he was writing this masterpiece of an album. I drive by that farm whenever I am in the area, and imagine him writing songs like this one staring out the window at the river. … More #SaturdaySong – “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome”

A Woke Pope?

May 30, 2025

The election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, and getting to hear the pope speak into our politically idolatrous Christian landscape in plain English, is going to be revealing. I dare say “apocalyptic” in the literal sense of deeply revealing. He’s not going to line up on Team Blue or Team Red. He will speak for Team Jesus, and be labelled Woke for following the historic social teachings of the Catholic church. … More A Woke Pope?

Asleep in the Garden

May 27, 2025

This reflection compares the Gardens of Eden and Gethsemane, emphasizing the spiritual lessons found in both. It highlights the importance of sabbath rest, where believers can trust in God’s partnership, and the necessity for vigilance, as seen in the disciples’ failure to stay awake during Jesus’ testing. Faithful stewardship is vital for the church. … More Asleep in the Garden

Podcast #202 – Discipleship Road (Sarah & Doug)

May 21, 2025

In this episode, Sarah and Doug do a “Deep Dive” into a series of meditations I am writing on the Road to Emmaus story in Luke 24. They introduce many key themes I am tracing through this pregnant piece of Scripture. Let their discussion whet your appetite and then look for more from this series in the future. … More Podcast #202 – Discipleship Road (Sarah & Doug)

Discipleship on the Emmaus Road

May 20, 2025

The discipleship journey, explored here in Jeremy’s exposition of Luke 24:13-35, emphasizes companionship, compassionate listening, and the cruciform life. Jesus walks alongside disciples, fostering spiritual maturity through shared experiences and conversations. Ultimately, true discipleship leads to recognizing Christ’s presence, partaking in communion, and joyfully sharing the transformative gospel with others. … More Discipleship on the Emmaus Road

Babylon in America

May 19, 2025

This sober undressing of some of the hidden realities behind our nation may offend, and if it rattles our bones to see this earthly nation critiqued by the Bible, that might indicate we have made it an idol. Revelation is an ‘apocalypse,’ and that word means to pull back the curtain on the uglier realities that prefer to stay hidden behind the shiny surface. Revelation is an invitation to political resistance, not End Times speculation. … More Babylon in America

Sunday Morning Coming Down

May 15, 2025

One ways I bring a bit the gospel to my audiences is to perform two songs by Kris Kristofferson back to back, and let the lyrics do the preaching. The first song, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” portrays a lonely man’s existential search, while the second, “Why Me, Lord?” celebrates finding faith and grace. But do you know the fascinating story behind “Sunday Morning”? … More Sunday Morning Coming Down

Check For Ticks (and Sin)

May 13, 2025

If ticks go unnoticed, attach themselves and feed off your blood, they grow larger and can cause problems. Deer ticks can carry the borrelia bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Every loving parent checks their children for ticks after a day in the deep woods. Likewise, a loving God encourages His children to check themselves regularly for sin and provides a way to deal with its bite before it grows, festers and brings destructive consequences. … More Check For Ticks (and Sin)

Classic Country Show

May 9, 2025

This spring and summer I am putting together an old classic country set to perform at senior residences and other venues. The highlight has been getting Abby (10) involved and watching her embrace old Dolly Parton songs such as “Jolene” and “Here You Come Again.” Come see us May 14 at the Gillespie Center’s “Country Jam.” … More Classic Country Show

Unmasking Babylon

May 8, 2025

Revelation is not a key to unlock some future prophecy timeline; it’s a key to understanding our current times, unmasking true allegiances and calling Christians to follow the Way of the Lamb while resisting the ways of Babylon. Today, my teacher, Scot McKnight, posted chapter 5 of his timely book, “Revelation for the Rest of Us”, on his Substack. Read. If. You. Dare. … More Unmasking Babylon

The First 100 Days

May 6, 2025

This week’s featured conversation is from “The Good Faith Podcast.” Host Curtis Chang is joined by David French and Russell Moore to unpack what Trump’s agenda and executive actions demand from people of faith. From foreign policy chaos and attacks on democratic institutions to political fatigue and Christian witness, this conversation gets real about the cost of following Jesus in a divided America. … More The First 100 Days

Explosive Truth

May 5, 2025

I was 21 years old. I was in the honeymoon period of my newfound faith. I still remember how exciting it was reading my new Study Bible. Everything was new. I had highlighter in hand. Underlining relevant passages. Pondering remarkable truths. I get emotional pulling out that old Bible, and remembering the moment I first underlined this or that passage. God was speaking to me. I was reading His love letters and falling deeper in love with my Savior. … More Explosive Truth

Monday Morning Rooster

May 4, 2025

My rooster often crows loudest on a Monday. I don’t mean to imply I deny Jesus on a weekly basis. The rooster I speak of is the inner critic, the ever-present whisper of self-doubt I try so hard to keep silent all week as I go about my pastoral work. The rooster can leave me questioning my call, my giftedness and my effectiveness as a pastor. We are wise to know what to do when the rooster comes crowing.  … More Monday Morning Rooster

NEW Class: The Cruciform Kingdom

May 1, 2025

Paul warned the Corinthians that the cross-shaped wisdom and power of Jesus Kingdom seems foolish and weak to the worldly mind. If so, we need Jesus to rewire our minds, change our way of thinking and to have “the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16). Toward this end, we invite you to join us this spring for a video course, The Cruciform Kingdom of God taught by Dr. Greg Boyd. Here’s a taste to whet your appetite. … More NEW Class: The Cruciform Kingdom