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)
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
I didn’t like the song at all. It seemed hokey. It seemed non-sensical. And it didn’t help that it was being sung off key and off tempo by a small congregation of primarily 75 year old church ladies. Not to mention being led by someone who sort of resembled Dana Carvey’s SNL character “Church Lady.” Today I repent of my snobbery and spiritual immaturity. I now believe in singing trees. … More Singing Trees & Crying Rocks
The passage in Luke 9:51 marks a turning point in Jesus’ ministry as he sets his face toward Jerusalem, ready to fulfill his destiny. This act symbolizes unwavering determination and resolve, likened to a face as hard as flint. Pastor Jeremy encourages readers to follow this example, seeking solid faith and devotion, especially during the Lenten season. … More Face Like Flint For Lent
God’s angels congregate in the “empty places” bringing comfort to people with empty emotional tanks and empty hopes. But they also redirect our attention away from what’s empty to focus instead on what’s now being filled! … More Angels in Empty Places (Easter ’22)
In the fullness of time God came again to His people. No longer cloaked in a terrifying tornado, this time His presence dwelled in a teething toddler. His radiant glory, instead of flashes of lightning across the eastern sky, now shone from the eyes of a humble baby in a manger. … More Christmas on Mt. Mystic 5: The Cloud
I don’t know about you, but it sends a shiver down my spine to think that there was a strange moment on a mysterious mountain long ago and far far away where three heroes of history huddled up to discuss my deliverance! … More A Holy Huddle and a Game Winning Play
In today’s Mount Mystic Meditation, I want you to reflect on what it feel like to be “chosen” for something special. Can you think of a time you were selected for some special role, or reward, or experience, or trip? Likewise, how does it feel to be overlooked and watch others get chosen ahead of you? … More He Chose Them, And Us Too!
Like Jesus, every preacher should have a story of being pressed into a corner and seeing fire in the eyes of an offended congregant after a sermon, unless they are in the ear-tickling business. … More How A Preacher Gets Thrown Off a Cliff Then & Now
We are only reading half the story if we focus only on the speechlessness of Zechariah. Before long the mute will become a minstrel, the silenced one will become a songbird, the castigated will become a crooner for Christ. And what will be the song on Zechariah’s lips? … More Blessed Are the Speechless
Beneath the surface, sometimes even hidden from our own awareness, may lurk a more manipulative intent behind our gratitude. The believer sometimes thinks — If I offer these prayers, if I give these sacrifices, and if I show my gratitude for past blessings, then God will bless me again. … More Pure Thanksgiving (Skye Jethani)
Marvel of marvels, the Living God wants—no insists—on taking up residence in our homes! “I must stay at your house,” he tells Zacchaeus. … More Salvation Lives Here (A Home Blessing)
“Every wise teacher trained in the kingdom is like the homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new and old things” (Matt 13:52). Jesus warned against trying to pour new wine into old wineskins—a constant warning to Christians and church leaders down through the ages not to get too attached to our ministry models … More The Feast is Ready! Come and Get it!
Wise people have observed that we spend the first half of life living out the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14–30), investing our time, talent and treasures in hopes of yielding a satisfying return that benefits ourselves and the greater good. This is largely an outward project of the Ego, as we try to prove … More The Journey Home
As a 6′-7″ tall dude, I’ve had a hard time relating to Zacchaeus, the “wee little man” who couldn’t see Jesus because of the crowd. In a crowd of people, I am the “tree” that many are trying to see around! … More A New Vantage Point
Here’s a retelling of a parable through the lenses of the Enneagram. Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in their False Self, thinking they were the better personality Type and regarded other Enneagram Types with contempt: “Two different personality types went up to the temple to pray, one a self-righteous Type One and … More A Parable Retold
LECTIONARY REFLECTION | 17th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST LUKE 17:5-10 One of the hardest things to keep in balance is the fact that Jesus Christ is both “lover of our soul” and “Lord of the universe.” He’s beloved friend and coming King. One moment he is wooing us with his tender compassion and the next he … More Genies & Masters
LECTIONARY REFLECTION| LUKE 11:1-13 NEWS FLASH! JESUS WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN! Most people, Christians and non-Christians alike, recognize that Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian faith. Even the name of our religion – CHRISTianity – reflects the importance of Jesus Christ to us. Christians, as a group, tend to forget that Jesus was a … More Jesus-Shaped Prayer (Mike Fox)
LECTIONARY REFLECTION | LUKE 8:26-39 In Western society the scientific method has been the standard for separating fact from fiction, truth from lie since the 1500s. For the last 500 years, anything that can’t be demonstrated in a controlled, repeatable experiment must not be true. Religion, faith, and belief in an unseen, spiritual world has been … More Fighting Demons (Mike Fox)
Sitting around that table the hidden face of God suddenly becomes visible. The stranger becomes a dear friend. The empty hole in our heart is suddenly filled. The darkness is vanquished by piercing light. Hope is resurrected to dance a jig on the corpse of Despair. At that table the lump in our throat is replaced by an irresistible burning in our heart. … More Faces Downcast to Eyes Opened
This Lent we’re exploring how the Cross was not just the way Jesus died, but also the new pattern for how Jesus’ followers are supposed to live. We’re called to not only embrace the CrossEvent, but also learn to walk the CrossRoad. The season of Lent begins with Jesus being tempted by Satan to bring His … More CrossRoad 4: Temptations
They found him…sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions…And Jesus grew in wisdom.” (Luke 2:46, 52) Jesus was a middle schooler once. Can you imagine that? Popping pimples. Voice cracking. Surging hormones. Changing body. Our stained glass images of a stoic Jesus the Son of God and second person of the … More Sermon: Growing in Wisdom
Ever feel overwhelmed by the number and size of the needs around you? Ever wonder how one person can make an impact in this broken world? One side-effect of the digital age of social media is that we’re constantly made aware of all the tragedies and suffering around the globe: abducted children, famine, sex trafficking, … More The Secret to Feeding 5,000
In this series we’re picking apart this episode in Luke 10 piece by piece, exploring what it looks like on the road to discipleship in the company of Jesus. “The Lord now chose seventy (-two) other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his … More Two by Two 4: The Places He Planned to Visit
In this series (originally posted in 2009) we’re picking apart this episode in Luke 10 piece by piece, exploring what it looks like on the road to discipleship in the company of Jesus. “The Lord now chose seventy (-two) other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned … More Two by Two 3: In Pairs
Jeremy L. Berg 