The Rev. Dr. Jeremy Berg is the founding and lead pastor of MainStreet Covenant Church in Minnetonka Beach, MN, where he has served since 2010. He is an adjunct professor of Biblical and Theological Studies who has taught classes at Bethel University, University of Northwestern—St. Paul, North Central University, Crown College, and Solid Rock Discipleship School. Jeremy earned a doctorate in New Testament Context under Scot McKnight at Northern Seminary (Chicago). He and his wife, Kjerstin, have three kids, Peter, Isaak and Abigail.
I have over 2,000 songs in my iTunes library. I also have a much smaller “Playlist” of all my favorites: songs that make me smile and move me to dancing, songs that evoke significant memories, songs I’ve shared with special friends, songs that comfort me and songs that move me to tears. Skimming through another … More FATHER’S SONG (9): Israel’s iPod (Psalms)
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In this series, Jeremy is guiding us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in sync. The winner of the second season of the ancient Near Eastern version of American Idol was the electrifying, rags-to-riches shepherd boy … More FATHER’S SONG (8): David Sings the National Anthem
Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major … More The Carpenter (unknown)
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In this series, Jeremy is guiding us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in sync. The Patriarchal and theocratic years of the Old Testament (Genesis-Judges) have provided the first several musical tracks of the Father’s Song. … More FATHER’S SONG (7): Before American Idol: Saul (1 Samuel)
I’m enjoying these meditations by Ken Gardiner found here. “And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.” (Matt. 27:36) HIM THERE! Who put him there? To answer that literally, we must say, “The soldiers”; the army of occupation. Technically they were Romans, and the centurion in charge would most probably indeed have come from … More At the Foot of the Cross 3 (K. Gardiner)
We spent a beautiful evening at The Depot at the Mound Beach gathered by candlelight at the foot of the cross meditating on the passion story. About 25 people showed up for our journey to the cross. We read, reflected and prayed through the passion story, sang a couple hymns, and marveled at the spectacular … More Good Friday @ The Beach
Jelly Bean Prayer Red is for the blood He gave, Green is for the grass he made. Yellow is for the sun so bright, Orange is for the edge of night. Black is for the sins we made, White is for the grace he gave. Purple is for his hour of sorrow. Pink is for … More Jelly Bean Easter Prayer
I’m enjoying these meditations by Ken Gardiner found here. “And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.” (Matt. 27:36) HIM THERE! Him! As we think of him, let us try to picture for a moment, how he would seem to them – the ones with whom he’d shared himself. You see, for us, our … More At the Foot of the Cross 2 (K. Gardiner)
The following post is worth reading. I found it during my Easter sermon study and preparation as I prepare to trace the New Creation theme through the Gospel of John. I have read the book he’s referring to by N.T. Wright. I, too, am a huge fan and student of Wright. Get the book! Enjoy! … More N.T. Wright: The Gospel of John & Second Genesis
Eden was the Garden of Futility — of broken dreams, of shattered relationships, of the first Adam’s rebellion, and the image of God being marred by sin and disobedience. The Garden of Gethsemane was the Garden Decision — of sacrifice, of abandonment and suffering, of temptation resisted, where the Last Adam chose God’s will over … More The Garden of New Creation
I’m enjoying these meditations by Ken Gardiner found here. “And sitting down, they kept watch over him there.” (Matt. 27:36) HIM THERE! Words are strange things; for their size they carry so much meaning, especially when they are put together, as in the present case:- HIM THERE! Why, there isn’t even a verb, … More At the Foot of the Cross 1 (K. Gardiner)
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In this series, Jeremy is guiding us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in sync. I spent several years substitute teaching in the public schools to pay my way through seminary. Substitute teaching is not for … More FATHER’S SONG (6): The 40-Year Long Band Rehearsal (Exodus-Judges)
How slow the moments must have seemed, there in the garden, among the olive trees that moonlit night, as the trees uplifted their branches in the dappled light and shadow like arms uplifted in prayer. Only they managed to stay and watch with you. The garden grew quiet as your followers fell asleep one by … More Gethsemane 2: A Meditation
What do you think?
In one garden, the lie was chosen over the will of God, and nature groaned under the curse and the grief and the countless tears of mankind that followed. In one garden, quietly, one full moon night the will of God was chosen over the lie and nature knew the promise of healing that would … More Gethsemane 1: Two Gardens
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In this series, Jeremy is guiding us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in tune. The crowds came with great anticipation to the mountain amphitheater. Many great and awesome rumors preceded the night’s long awaited spectacle. … More FATHER’S SONG (5): A Masterpiece in Written Form (Moses & Torah)
This prank is so cruel….please don’t start an April Fools tradition at MainStreet! I beg you! Greg is a good sport — I fear I would have reacted less graciously… :) WATCH THIS!
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In this series, Jeremy is guiding us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in tune. A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January … More FATHER’S SONG (4): Whistling Alone in the Dark (Abraham)
Good Friday is one of my favorite, most moving evenings of the year. It is the holiest of nights, the most somber of times, the pinnacle of human reflection of the gravity of humanity’s sin problem and the depths of God’s love ing provide a way to freedom. For several years I have tried to … More Gethsemane: A Journey to the Cross
All sin is spiritual garbage, and necessarily meets its end in destruction. God can’t let garbage into heaven. Only if the “sinner” won’t let go of his garbage does he get burned with it. God offers to take the garbage off his back, to separate the “sinner” from the sin so that the sinner is … More QUOTABLES: Peter Kreeft
Since the creation of the world God’s perfect melody, the Father’s Song, has been clearly heard, it’s harmonious rhythms and soothing beats echoing forth from all that God has made, so that people are without excuse. For although we knew the Father’s Song — which is written on our hearts — we chose to deafen … More FATHER’S SONG (3): Cosmic Dissonance (Fall)
LORD God you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through JESUS CHRIST our … More QUOTABLES: Anonymous Prayer
“It’s amazing, in fact, what one highly charged, crazy man can do.” -Peters & Waterman, In Search for Excellence Here’s my problem. I actually believe our role as Christians today is just as significant as God’s servants in the Bible. Our call is no less real as that of Abraham or Moses, Deborah or Mary, Peter … More Out of my Mind for Christ
The Creator could have chosen an infinite number of methods to bring the universe into being. God chose to sing. Well, we don’t know if God actually sang, but the creation narratives make plain that the first stars, moons, trees, oceans, platypuses and people danced into existence through the spoken word of God. (“And the … More FATHER’S SONG (2): Creation Song (Creation)
Kingdom Harbor 