When the Waters Stir
August 13, 2020
Jesus offers more than a small puddle of spiritual refreshment that appears momentarily but vanishes quickly in the afternoon sun. … More When the Waters Stir
Category: Discipleship
Wisdom Culture & the Juvenalization of American Christianity
January 21, 2020
“Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7 Churches are busy with many good endeavors, but seeking and passing on wisdom seems to have fallen down the list of priorities. According to my teacher, Scot McKnight: “People today care less about growing up or gaining wisdom and far more about staying young, maintaining relevancy, and dressing according … More Wisdom Culture & the Juvenalization of American Christianity
May the Force be with You!
January 7, 2020
Those angels outside Bethlehem could have been Jewish Jedis when they came with their greeting that was essentially, “May the Force be with you” — that is, may the Peace or Shalom of God be with all upon whom God’s favor rests (cf. Luke 2:14)! … More May the Force be with You!
WOW – On Worldliness
January 2, 2020
“Worldliness is everything in the world around us that makes sin look normal and that makes righteousness look strange.” -DAVID WELLS … More WOW – On Worldliness
Keeping Watch in the New Year
December 31, 2019
I’m so glad the shepherd’s near Bethlehem didn’t have smartphones or Netflix that first Christmas. Can you imagine the scene? … More Keeping Watch in the New Year
Steeped: Tea Bag Faith
December 17, 2019
These small dry packets contain the raw materials that come alive and reveal their true taste and color when steeped in a hot cup of water. This is an apt metaphor for spiritual formation. … More Steeped: Tea Bag Faith
Americans Consume 11 Hours of Media Daily
December 12, 2019
The average church-goer hears 12 hours of sermons ALL YEAR. Now, who’s discipling who? … More Americans Consume 11 Hours of Media Daily
Wise Counsel from Old Letters
December 5, 2019
We’re highlighting the ‘Wonderful Counselor’ attribute of God this week, and acknowledging our need for other wise counselors in our lives. Can’t afford a therapist? Don’t have time to schedule a session? Then seek wisdom in old letters and books, for instance, the spiritual letters of Fenelon (1651-1715) found online for free here. Who’s your favorite … More Wise Counsel from Old Letters
Selfie Spirituality
December 3, 2019
We are focusing on Christ as Wonderful Counselor this week. God’s plan for passing on his wisdom and guidance to others was to give His Spirit of Wisdom and insight to people who in turn share this wisdom with others. Who are the wise guides you turn to daily for insight and truth to live … More Selfie Spirituality
A Catalytic Mobilizer on a Plastic Chair
November 29, 2019
When I’m an old worn out pastor sitting on a porch drinking coffee, and my memory is all but gone, I’ll still remember those two words spoken over me in that church basement on plastic folding chairs with a flickering fluorescent light above… … More A Catalytic Mobilizer on a Plastic Chair
Learning to Swim in Your Faith
November 27, 2019
Images abound for our tendency to settle for less than the best. “Failure to launch.” “Cold feet.” “The boat is still in the harbor.” “She needs to spread her wings to fly”—and sometimes you need to kick them out of the nest before they’ll ever try. … More Learning to Swim in Your Faith
Your True Name (Skye Jethani)
November 24, 2019
Today most names are chosen based on a parent’s preference or popularity. But in the ancient world, a person’s name was believed to be the essence of their identity. … More Your True Name (Skye Jethani)
Boulders & Rivers
November 22, 2019
Instead of pushing a heavy boulder up a hill, what if spiritual growth was more like stepping into a river and being gradually swept along by God’s life-giving current? … More Boulders & Rivers
Mind, Body, Spirit & Doritos
October 24, 2019
In this cultural moment when so many are seeking holistic healing, holistic medicine, Whole Foods, and whole-bodied spiritual practices (e.g., meditation, yoga, etc.), Christian teachers have such an opportunity to share the holistic message Jesus taught. Yet, I fear too many pastors and churches are still drunk on the leftover wine of ancient Gnostic and … More Mind, Body, Spirit & Doritos
Renovation of the Heart
October 12, 2019
Dallas Willard has been a guiding light and master sage for many pastors who believe at the center of their craft is the call to deeper inner transformation of the human soul. His writings are a goldmine of thoughtful wisdom and, more importantly, his personal life and legacy reveal a man who had the smell … More Renovation of the Heart
Among Us in the Shadows
September 25, 2019
“But among you stands one you do not know” (John 1:26). We’ve all experienced it. A long lost friend you haven’t heard from in years suddenly calls you up. He’s cheerful and so thrilled to be reconnecting. You get caught up on each other’s lives, and the conversation is warm and you wonder why you … More Among Us in the Shadows
Stamped & Sealed with a New Name
August 21, 2019
Last night I sat by my boys’ bedside and after tucking them in I said, “Let’s start something new and special called, “God Talk.” I told them I spend much of my life thinking, studying and learning about God, and I would love to ponder questions they have about God, life and the mysteries of … More Stamped & Sealed with a New Name
The Space for Growth (Skye Jethani)
June 25, 2019
by Skye Jethani Jean Vanier, the founder of the L’Arche communities who died just a few weeks ago, often used a simple metaphor to explain his ministry with the mentally handicapped. With his hands cupped he would say, “Suppose I have a wounded bird in my hands. What would happen if I closed my hands … More The Space for Growth (Skye Jethani)
Happiness or Character?
June 11, 2019
I’m concerned about the strong river current of ideas we are swimming against and the polluted atmosphere created by the larger cultural narratives we are breathing in uncritically. … More Happiness or Character?
The Role of Imagination in Faith
May 2, 2019
“It may be that God has the eternal appetite of infancy.” -G.K. Chesterton I had a great conversation this week about the role of imagination in spiritual growth. We spoke a bit about how children tend to be more open to new things than adults. (I recently wrote about Abby’s 4-year old “StarryEyed” infatuation with unicorns.) … More The Role of Imagination in Faith
Q&A: Why do prayers go unanswered?
April 30, 2019
Repost from 2018. -JB “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, TEACHING in the synagogues…and he HEALED every kind of disease and illness” (Matt 9:35). My sermon text for this Sunday is Mark 1:29-39 which displays Jesus’ powerful healing ministry, first with Simon’s mother-in-law, and then “the whole city was gathered … More Q&A: Why do prayers go unanswered?
The Journey Through Easter Mountain
April 22, 2019
Driving through the Colorado mountains in our minivan last month, our family got a great kick out of holding our breath as we drove through the tunnels that drill their way through the mountain. After a suspenseful moment of darkness, the light would appear up ahead, and a few seconds later we would be laughing … More The Journey Through Easter Mountain
The Persecuted Church Today
April 19, 2019
We recently watched the movie Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018) at MainStreet which is a stirring account of the last days of Paul’s life before he is martyred in Rome. In our discussion time afterwards, someone rightly pointed out that persecution isn’t just ancient history or an early church reality; more people today are dying for their faith … More The Persecuted Church Today
Jesus’ Humiliation & Ours (Skye Jethani)
April 18, 2019
Why did Peter refuse to let Jesus wash his feet? One possibility is that Peter was embarrassed for Jesus. He didn’t want to see his rabbi, his master, take such a humiliating role. Maybe he was trying to protect Jesus from his own undignified behavior. That is one possibility, but I don’t think it’s the … More Jesus’ Humiliation & Ours (Skye Jethani)
Martyrdom of Paul Carlson, Covenant Missionary
April 18, 2019
You cannot be part of the Evangelical Covenant Church family very long before you come to know the story of Dr. Paul Carlson, a medical missionary to Congo (1962-1964), who gave up his life in service to Jesus. Here’s his story: Doctor Paul E. Carlson, or Monganga Paul as he was known by the Congolese … More Martyrdom of Paul Carlson, Covenant Missionary
Jeremy L. Berg 