Here are a few of my favorite memorized Bible verses. Commit these to memory, write them on index cards, tape them to your car dash, and store them away for a rainy day when the “arrows of the enemy” come flying. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES? Trust in the LORD with all your heart and … More Memory Verses: Words to Live By
The Lord is my pacesetter, I shall not rush. he makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals, He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity. He leads me in ways of efficiency, through calmness of mind, and his guidance is peace. Even though I have a great many things to accomplish … More Psalm 23 Remixed for a Rushed Society
Do you pick up hitchhikers? Why or why not? I passed one by again today as I drove through town. I have to confess my conscience is disturbed every time this happens. Why do we pass on by? Is it inconvenience? Are we afraid they may be dangerous? Are we just shy and want to avoid … More The Good Samaritan and the Hitchhiker
My new favorite daddy-Peter time activity these days is stroller walks around town while listening to the Daily Audio Bible podcast. Now, 95% of the time Peter is fast asleep from the motion, soothing wind and outdoor noises. Strollers are the baby-equivalent to a sleeping pill. Well, the other day Peter was wide awake as … More “Don’t Look at Me! I’m Just Your Dad!”
As I was reading scripture the other day I made 2 observations – 1) strong, emotional words are often used in scripture and 2) that I have almost completely removed strong emotions from my practice of Christianity and made it an intellectual pursuit. For as long as I can remember, certainly back to HS, I’ve … More Emotional Faith (by Mike Fox)
In my home state of Minnesota there are only two seasons: winter and road construction. Road construction season coincides however with another seasonal Minnesota pastime—cabin fever! Every Friday afternoon during the warm months you’ll find a mass exodus of cars heading north for the weekend. The irony of it all is that in order to … More STUDENT DRIVER 9: The Road Less Travelled
1 Sam 3:1-10 1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God … More Pursued by Grace (by Mike Fox)
You have heard it said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” But I’m more convinced it is paved with bad directions. If Eve’s grave sin in the garden was a failure to follow God’s directions, her punishment has been putting up with Adam the rest of the way who refuses to … More STUDENT DRIVER 7: Asking for Directions
There will be a highway called the Holy Road… It’s for God’s people exclusively — impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it” (Isaiah 35:8). When we finally leave the classroom and hit the highway, we find no shortage of traffic — both in real life and the spiritual … More STUDENT DRIVER 6: Driving Aimlessly
Recently I caught myself using those words for about the 100th time in a week. “If only I would’ve…”, “If only I wouldn’t have…”, “If only I had saved more money”, “If only I hadn’t eaten so much last night”. If only things were different. I think about the future in much the same manner. … More “If Only…” (by Mike Fox)
Every car has them. They are the little warning lights on your dash that come on when something needs attention. They are quite small and hard to see. They are often ignored and easy to put off until a later time. Yet they are extremely important and can save you much bigger problems in the … More STUDENT DRIVER 5: Warning Lights & Gas Gauges
Luke 18:1-5 1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him … More Sirens & Prayer (by Mike Fox)
One of the most simple but important driving lessons we learned in kindergarten: stay between the lines! In driving you must keep yourself from veering to the left and the right. We must keep ourselves between the yellow center line and the white shoulder line. What do these two colored lines represent on the road … More STUDENT DRIVER 4: Life Between the Lines
“They’re not just for decoration.” That’s what I tell my beginning drivers as they nervously drive down the road with complete tunnel vision, neglecting to read the signs lining the roadside out of fear of taking their eyes off the car ahead. All of the signs lining the roads of America are classified according to … More STUDENT DRIVER 3: Can You Read the Signs?
2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You … More Focused (by Mike Fox)
The number one cause of all automobile accidents is driver distraction and inattentiveness. A study released in April 2006 by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that distractions, including drowsy driving, are a contributing factor in 8 out of every 10 police-reported traffic crashes, or an estimated 4 million crashes per year. … More STUDENT DRIVER 2: Fatal Distractions
I’m reposting this DI classic series of posts from a few years ago. Enjoy! As a youth pastor I face a room full of teenagers every Wednesday and try my best to teach them how to travel faithfully the road of Christian discipleship. For the past month, each Tuesday and Thursday evenings have afforded me the … More STUDENT DRIVER 1: This is Not a Game
There is a lady at work who has a way with words. She has the unique talent of making everything she says seem like an accusation or a put-down. She is aggressive and often is involved in other people’s business. Most of my interactions with her are unpleasant. The big question for me is, “what … More Difficult People (by Mike Fox)
James 2:14-18, 24 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well … More On the Sideline (by Mike Fox)
I’m pleased to introduce a new Daily Luminary, my friend Mike Fox, whose Bible reflections we’ll be featuring occasionally in the weeks ahead. Enjoy! And if you or somebody you know would like to share a written piece at Daily Illumination please send it my way. -JB Matt 25:37-40 37 “Then the righteous will answer … More Expectations (by Mike Fox)
I came across this college assignment from when I was probably 19 years old. I had only recently recommitted my life to Christ and was only beginning the lifelong journey of true discipleship. My path took me through an early stage of zeal and coarse judgmentalism — a season I’m not proud of. I was … More A Personal Epistle
Being a Christian today means many things to many people. Going to church. Praying. Reading your Bible. Serving others. Giving generously. But it’s all boiled down to one thing: Walking by faith. I was reading Heb 11:8-12,19 today about Abraham and taking some notes. The DNA for being a radical Jesus follower today can be summed … More It’s Not Rocket Science, Just Faith
I like to make fun of people who watch reality TV, but have found myself watching my own fair share. So, I appreciated being challenged by this is a post from my good friend Pastor David Brown. I admit it. I am a fan of three “reality” tv shows. As I watch them, I learn … More Redeeming Qualities of Reality TV Shows (David Brown)
Here’s another repost from the past. Life is a little busier these days and I haven’t had time or energy to invest in many new posts. As you can probably see, my time has been going into videos rather than blogs. ‘Tis the season we’re in right now. Peace, JB I always heard that San … More God, Seasons & Spirituality
This is the first of hopefully several MainStreet Mission Moment videos to help inspire our growing community in Mound. Enjoy!
Jeremy Berg 