When the last shovel of dirt is tossed onto my grave and the benediction has been read, I want people to walk to their cars and drive back to the church for cold sandwiches thinking, “He took Jesus at his words, did his best to pursue His Kingdom and live by cross-wisdom — leaving the … More CrossRoad 3: The Foolishness of the Cross
One of the most insightful and timely books I have read is Michael Gorman’s Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness. This widely misunderstood document — The Apocalypse of John — was written to encourage Christians living in politically charged times when it was easy to get caught up in the idolatrous influences of a super-empire. Revelation … More Revelation: Theopolitical Worship & Witness
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also…“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’But I tell you, love your … More Scot McKnight on Christian Pacifism
Repost from 2018. Happy Valentine’s Day! While many will rely on Hallmark’s card writers to find the perfect words to say “I love you” today, some Christians might reach back to the famous “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13 read at many weddings. Yet, the man who wrote these words would probably find it quite … More Your One True Love
“We’re running out of kabobs already!” someone (probably the mother of the bride or groom) informed the wedding party in a bit of a panic. “Everyone hasn’t even been through the buffet yet!” The night was still young and they had spent good money on grilled salmon-kabobs to fed 400 guests. What was going on? … More Wedding Crashers (John 2:1-11)
Just read a great article by Ellen Davis called “Surprised by Wisdom.” Here’s a taste: Anyone attuned to both the [biblical] text and contemporary culture might pause as early as the second line of the book [of Proverbs], where the purpose of “the proverbs of Solomon” is stated thus: “For knowing wisdom and discipline {musar)…” … More Wisdom’s Allure
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
4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not … More Sermon: Christmas Hide & Seek
A throwback piece from years ago. -JB Remember the momentous day of January 20, 2009? All the eyes of the world were set on Washington D.C. for the inauguration of the first African American U.S. President Barrack Obama. Throngs of people flocked to the Capitol to witness this history-making event. Every news camera, every political … More Seriously, Why Shepherds?
The guy must be nuts! Look at him sitting there on a hard dirt floor, the smell of human waste thick in the air, hands raised to the sky with big smile beaming from ear to ear as he prays to his god! I can’t make any sense of it. … More Sermon: Paul’s Secret
We’re celebrating that annual family tradition where I lie on the couch and watch cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies while Keri addresses and stamps Christmas cards to get in the mail. I’m embarrassed to admit how many of the Christmas letters people send never make it into my hands. (Keri reads them all and throws a … More Sermon: Paul’s Xmas Letter
Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord” (Col 4:17). We just finished a flyover sermon series through Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. We painted in big brush strokes, pulling out a few dominant themes. Occasionally we landed and surveyed the foothills in more detail. Three major … More Tell Archippus!
“Are you confused about life, don’t know what’s going on? Walk up the street to a life with meaning.” Jesus was a wise sage, steeped in the ancient wisdom of the Jewish Scriptures, who formed a community of learners who welcomed his message. His message offered a new Way to be human, an alternative Way to … More Walk Up the Street to a New Life
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
“You’re name is NOT Jeremy!” the large, black man shouted into my ear with his thick Caribbean accent. His hands were heavy on my shoulders as he stood over me as I sat helplessly in a chair in a dim-lit room. “Your true name is Jeremiah! You are the weeping prophet!” he continued in his … More The Weeping Pastor
I need to drown again in the regenerating waters of my baptism. I’m drowning on the world’s air and gasping for water this week. I preached about abiding in the Christ on Sunday, and have spent the entire week making sand castles in a God-forsaken desert. … More A Desert Prayer
John describes his experience of Christ — his faith — as far more than a collection of beliefs. He sounds like he’s completely immersed in God-reality, floating on a lazy-river of Christ-awareness, and being swept up in the easy, life-renewing currents of Trinitarian Presence. … More God’s Lazy River
Our prayers reveal our priorities. The requests we bring before God give a window into our heart’s greatest concerns at any particular moment. Sometimes they are petty and selfish: “Lord, help me find a good parking spot” or “Help me pass this test I didn’t study for.” Often they focus on more urgent immediate needs … More Praying with Paul (Eph 1:16-19)
Let us draw near to the cross on this Good Friday, keep vigil, contemplate the Lord’s passion, consider his agony of spirit and physical torture. Let us not fall asleep as the three did in Gethsemane, nor abandon him as the rest did by the end. When we ponder his last moments, just before the … More My God, My God (Psalm 22)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God … More Christ Hymn 3 (Phil 2:5-11)
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God … More Christ Hymn 2 (Phil 2:5-11)
Recent Barna Study: 51% Of Churchgoers Are Unaware of The Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20 is the most well-known biblical record of what is commonly referred to extra-biblically as “the Great Commission.” But despite the significance of these and other verses that call Christians to “go and make disciples of all nations,” a surprising proportion of … More The Great Omission
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…” or “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2:5) Have you ever tried putting together a puzzle without having the box cover to show you what the finished product is supposed to look like? Without the cover picture we … More Christ Hymn 1 (Phil 2:5)
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand … More Judas in the Mirror (Matt 26:20-28)
We’re on a steady incline up the great mountain that is Psalm 119, scaling the heights of God’s Law and the glimpsing the glory of his promises along the way. Each peak is 8 verses, so let’s tackle another this morning — Psalm 119:49-56. Reading the Bible is kind of like watching a tennis match. … More The Theme of My Song (Psalm 119:49-56)
Kingdom Harbor 