“I always tell my kids that while most people in the world just want to kill and get rid of the bad guys, Jesus wants to change bad guys into good guys. While guns have the power to kill bad guys, only love moves us toward an enemy with the compassion and hope for transformation. A gun or nuclear warhead can destroy our enemy, but only love has the potential to transform an enemy into a friend.” … More The Most Powerful Force of All
Just skimmed a little book by the great NT scholar, James Dunn, on Jesus’ Call to Discipleship (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1992). If you’ve ever wanted a short, concise summary of the heart of Jesus’ radical teaching and summons to discipleship, here’s a great summary from pp. 121-122: 1) It begins from God and … More Jesus’ Call to Discipleship
A member of our church paid me a great compliment this week. She said, “I’m discovering a trend among MainStreeters I am getting to know. I keep hearing people say, ‘Well, Jeremy challenged us to do such and such and here’s what resulted.” She quickly qualified her statement with, “Don’t worry, its the good kind of challenge … More A Faith that Relieves & Releases
Have you ever met a traveling salesperson who refuses to leave the office? Have you ever met a daycare provider who can’t stand kids? How about an illiterate librarian? These are oxymorons and contradictions. I worked on the grounds crew at a golf course in high school. I spent most of my summer cutting grass. I loved … More Going Green 6: Nomadic Gardening?
You may be thinking, “Sorry, I’m not into gardening, so maybe I’ll skip this series.” Not so fast. We’re talking about something far more central to our humanity than growing vegetables and flowers. God the Creator made human begins in his divine image and likeness, and part of this likeness is our ability to join … More Going Green 4: God’s Junior Gardeners
A National Gardening Survey revealed that 71 percent of all U.S. households (an estimated 82 million) participated in one or more types of lawn and garden activities in 2007. The most popular lawn and garden activities in 2007 included lawn care (48% of households), growing indoor houseplants (31% of households), flower gardening (30% of households), … More Going Green 3: Do-It-Yourself or Hired Hands?
My boys and I planted some trees a couple summers ago. Each week we went out to water them together. Peter was almost 4 and Isaak was almost 2 years old. I noticed something each time we watered them together. I poured the bucket of water all around the little tree to sink down and … More Going Green 2: Water the Roots
God has green thumbs. There’s no doubt about that. You are never closer to the heart and purposes of God than when you’re on you’re on your knees in the garden pulling weeds with sweat running down your brow. Or tilling that rocky soil, pulling up thorns and thistles, or wringing your hands with frustration … More Going Green 1: God Has Green Thumbs
“We come to the Bible, raising questions about its relevance to our present daily lives, only to find that the Bible questions us about our relevance to the way of Christ.” -Will Willimon We’re modern people. We value efficiency and practicality. We like quick how-to tutorials that immediately get to the point. We’re self-driven, ambitious … More The Perils of Preaching Today
The Christian life is filled with counterintuitive paradoxical truths. One of my favorites is Jesus’ strange warning that “Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it” (Luke 17:33). On the surface this is ludicrous. I mean the last time I lost $10 I was poorer and … More Re-Born Identity: “Kingdom Exchange Principle”
Theology matters. And we all “do theology” — whether we’re aware of it or not. Theology is “thinking about God.” The question is not whether we do theology but whether we do good or bad theology. This is why my one of my biggest passions as a pastor is trying to help people begin to think critically … More Faith Over Feelings
I pulled the little chain and nothing. My little green lamp didn’t turn on. I checked the bulb to see if it was dead or not screwed in tight. The bulb was fine. Pull the chain—nothing. Hmmm? My favorite green lamp simply wouldn’t work. Just as I was beginning to grow frustrated and ready to … More “Behold, Electricity is at Hand!”
The moon is made of green cheese. At least this was the silly myth began some 500 years ago. Nobody really expected to find Swiss or Cheddar when we began sending rockets to the moon in the 1960s, but I bet many were at least hoping to discover something, well, quite extraordinary—something “out of this … More Down-to-Earth Spirituality
PSALM 23 REWRITTEN (WORRY) Worry is my shepherd, I can’t turn it off. Worry never lets me lie down and rest, It leads me beside waterfalls of “what ifs.” Worry torments my soul. Worry guides me down safe paths only, I’m afraid to step out, embrace change, really live! Worry makes even minor trials seem … More Who’s Your Shepherd? (5)
PSALM 23 REWRITTEN (DEPRESSION) Depression is my shepherd. I deserve nothing. I have no right to lie down; even the weather conspires to make my life miserable. My soul is beaten down. I have no one to follow and lack the energy to make my own way. My mind is filled with dark thoughts. I … More Who’s Your Shepherd? (4)
I want you to imagine two scenes. First, picture a peaceful tropical beach resort, yourself lying in a hammock with a cold drink and good book. Can you hear the seagulls squawking as the sounds of the surf provide a relaxing soundtrack? Feel the sun warming your neck, and the gentle breeze keeping you cool? Peace … More SERMON: Navigating Life’s Storms
During Advent in 2013 we examined Psalm 23 in a sermon series entitled Who’s Your Shepherd? It remains one of my favorite series we’ve done to date. I contended that when we let God be the guide, or shepherd, directing our lives and influencing our decisions, He leads us to green pastures of the “abundant […]
PSALM 23 REWRITTEN (FINANCIAL DEBT) Financial stress is my shepherd, there’s never enough to pay the bills. It keeps me awake at night. It leaves me paralyzed with fear. I’m worn out just thinking about it. It drives me to do things that don’t honor God. We’re so far in the hole, we’ll never dig … More Who’s Your Shepherd? (2)
During Advent in 2013 we examined Psalm 23 in a sermon series entitled Who’s Your Shepherd? It remains one of my favorite series we’ve done to date. I contended that when we let God be the guide, or shepherd, directing our lives and influencing our decisions, He leads us to green pastures of the “abundant … More Who’s Your Shepherd? (1)
This Advent at MainStreet Covenant Church we’re unpacking the “7 wisdom gifts” from above found in James 3:17. Following Daniel Henderson’s argument in his book The Prayer God Loves to Answer, we’re exploring a higher wisdom that enables us to find success and health in our relationships. This is contrasted with a worldly wisdom that may get … More Mt. Rushmore of Gospel Virtues
I received an email from our local pastors association wondering if anyone is canceling Sunday worship due to forecasted snow and below zero temperatures. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter, which I assure you were not shared by all. :) I believe these are teachable moments. When people are considering staying home because … More Too Cold & Snowy for Worship?
Are you seeking that good and perfect gift this Christmas? While the crowds chase after bargain deals at the malls on fitness watches, iPads, and other treasures, we’re inviting our congregation to ask for the gifts that don’t come in boxes under a tree this Christmas. James says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” … More 7 Good & Perfect Gifts
I can only answer the question, “What am I to do?” if I can answer the prior question “Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?” – Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue My granddaughter loves to act out the stories she hears. She is the heroine of a seemingly endless stream of mysteries, … More What Story are you part of? (Mike Fox)
I found this invitation to pursue WISDOM in our relationships as very timely in light of our current national situation. I hope to do a sermon series on Biblical Wisdom very soon! Henderson’s new book on this is called The Prayer the God Loves to Answer: Accessing Christ’s Wisdom to Address Your Greatest Needs. Enjoy! -JB We’ve … More Wisdom That Revolutionizes Relationships (Daniel Henderson)
Kingdom Harbor 