Politics often awakens a hunger to win: To argue. To feel superior. To prove them wrong. But Jesus invites us into something deeper: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” That kind of hunger doesn’t ignore injustice. Rather, it fights for what is good and true. But it fights with humility, not hostility. It seeks restoration, not revenge. It builds up, rather than tears down. … More Righteous Hunger
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
We just finished up a 3-part Advent Series exploring Jesus as the perfect embodiment of Micah 6:8 spirituality that invites us to “do justice, love mercy, and walk in humility.” In between Sundays, I’m on college campuses trying to light a fire in college students to embrace and cultivate this kind of Christianity in the world today. … More Doing Justice to Christmas
“I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we posted Christian memes and Bible verses on our Facebook page, we bashed the demons and online trolls, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking and tweeting about us on social media.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat.” -JESUS … More All Who Have Ears to Hear, Tweet This!
“You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister [on social media] is guilty of murder…Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister [via Twitter] and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.” -JESUS … More Jesus on Social Media
Most are familiar with Jesus’ parable of the Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13:44: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” The primary truth here is that Jesus himself … More A Treasure Worth Finding
‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels . . . I was a foreigner and you did not invite me in.” The Gospel lesson in this week’s lectionary reminds us that Jesus was no lap cat savior but the roaring Lion of Judah. He came … More Welcome the Foreigner: Fiery Words from the Prince of Peace
WWJT? “What would Jesus Tweet?” I’ve been asking this question this week as I watch people wax bombastic on their Facebook pages or Twitter feeds. There’s a lot of shouting past one another and very little listening (not to mention loving). Strong opinions abound while grace and civility are in short supply. So, how might … More Social Media & The Sermon on the Mount
We gathered at the beach for our annual baptism service and potluck. Always a highlight to preach in the open air with the lapping waves and morning breeze coming off of Lake Minnetonka. I resisted making mention (this time!) that just a few hundred yards down the shoreline Bill Bright housed the Campus Crusade headquarters … More Imagine a World: Treasure Seekers (Matt 13:44-46)
Jeremy L. Berg 