As my 35th birthday approaches, I’m looking back through some old journal entries. In my mid-twenties I had one big aspiration for my life: to put my knowledge to good use by becoming a teacher/college professor. The problem was I had no clue how to teach, and learning and teaching are too very different things. I … More Like a Unicorn at a Balloon Popping Party (or The Joy of Teaching)
This post was written on the fishing opener on May 15, 2010. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-17) I came home … More Fishing Opener Is Here!
Repost from Spring 2010 but I’m in the exact same place personally. -JB “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times…How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119). It’s perhaps my favorite time of year. I’m sitting in the backyard, listening to the lively noises … More Springtime Feasting on the Word
Hello friends and blogosphere! I’m back and with a completely revamped website! Have a look around. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was actively engaged in writing and interacting with the greater blogosphere. Indeed, it was a different life. So much has changed. I have not actively blogged for about 3 years. Since … More Hi Readers! I’m Back.
A couple weeks ago my sermon got pretty personal. I shared honestly about my feeling distant from God, a bit “cold” in my faith, and in need of rekindling. I shared how I retreated from my routine to a sacred place in my life — an old oak tree back in the woods at Bethel … More Under the Oak
I’ve caught a little Beatles fever on the 50th anniversary of the British invasion. I enjoyed the CBS Grammy tribute last night. So, I’m trying to do the ridiculous, the impossible, the utterly absurd: choosing my top Beatles songs. Here are some of my favorites — typically happy, acoustic driven numbers. Ask me tomorrow and I’ll … More My Top 11 Beatles Songs
In the winter of 2000 my entire life was turned around, flipped upside down and spun inside out. I was a confused, well-intentioned, yet directionless 20 year-old sophomore at Bethel College decided to open up the Book of Acts in hopes of some general inspiration. Something remarkably simple yet profoundly powerful took place that evening … More A Powerful Collision: God, Bible, Authority & Narrative 1
One last peek into my soul as a young adult, as I wrestled with depression and poured out my heart to God. The beauty of the Bible is that we see the raw, honest prayers of others in the Psalms and so on. We all struggle in this life, but the beauty of these painful … More Echoes from the Pit 3 – Unwanted Visitors
Another journal entry from my college days. I’m no poet – and boy do I know it! But these give a glimpse into my heart when I was trying to find my way in this world as a newer disciple of Christ. I felt very lonely and misunderstood at this time, and was struggling to … More Echoes from the Pit 2 – This Old Boat
Pulled out an old journal from my college days….found some very personal, desperate prayers and poems during a trying time in my life. I think I might share a few this Christmas. Here’s a childlike cry for God’s comforting presence to draw near — a prayer to Immanuel, “God with us.” IMMANUEL PRAYER – October … More Echoes from the Pit 1 – Immanuel Prayer
I’m in the process of being sifted these days. Have you been through this painful process? -JB Satan Desires to Sift us Like Wheat by Dick Karman God has warned us about Satan in the Bible. One probably most threatening and graphic passage is 1 Peter 5:8 where God tells us that the devil walks … More Being Sifted (Dick Karman)
Last night was groundbreaking (again) for Mound Westonka youth. Oh, they don’t know it yet. But there is another mustard seed movement afoot. Small, invisible at the moment. MainStreet Church is determined to join God in the power of the Holy Spirit to launch another ‘youth movement’ for Jesus. It’s called The Alley based on … More Revolutionary Teens in Mound
I recently wrote an article highlighting the spiritual legacy of the City of Mound and each local church’s story of origins. This past week our local newspaper The Laker published a small, edited fragment of my article but left out all the fascinating history and the story of each church’s beginnings — the main purpose of my … More The Full Story
I turn 33 today. Something shifted in me this past year. I feel older. I feel the weight of leadership on my shoulders. I feel stronger, thicker skinned. I feel the proud, protective instincts of fatherhood surging through my veins. There’s a little blue-eyed blonde tike tugging on my leg with the non-stop “dada dada … More Birthday Reflection – 33 Years
I’m extremely blessed!
Here’s the chaos I married into….and I’m so glad I did. :)
We celebrated Peter’s dedication to the Lord at MainStreet Church on March 18, 2012, among family and friends. The meaning and significance of this event is amplified by the fact that when Peter was conceived we barely had a church in existence in which to have such a celebration. A baby dedication service is largely … More Dedicated to the Lord
“I tell you that you are Peter….I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16).
We had a little photo shoot on our cabin getaway this past week with PB. Too bad we already ordered our Christmas cards, because these would have been great! Needless to say, this is a very special Christmas for Keri and I. A healthy baby boy, full of life and joy, and already blessing so … More Treasuring All These Things
Here’s a blast from the past. This article published in the local Mound Paper — The Laker — describes the philosophy behind the Revolution teen ministry I launched and led (2005-07). We hope MainStreet launches strong so we can re-launch a dynamic youth ministry like Revolution able to reach local teens for Christ. -JB Words … More A Look Back: Revolution 2006
Recently, I experienced the beauty of Christian friendship and fellowship. Some friends and I sat together in a basement and shared our joys and struggles as we strive to “grow up into Christ.” I was deeply refreshed by our time together. So, like the Apostle Paul, I couldn’t resist pulling out my modern-day papyrus and … More A Contemporary Epistle
Dear MainStreet friends, On the eve of Thanksgiving 2011, Keri and I have much to be thankful for. The past year has been perhaps the most difficult and most satisfying year of our lives. One year ago, I was unemployed and scrambling to raise seed money to start planting MainStreet. We had just found out … More A Thanksgiving Letter
Kingdom Harbor 