The Lord still calls loyal servants to accomplish tasks far too great if He didn’t give us the power. This morning I went down to the lakeside, perched myself on the rocks and opened my Bible for my morning devotions. As I stared out at the islands and shoreline of Lake Minnetonka, I was given … More “Is It too Small A Thing?”
Walkin’ After Midnight It was episodes like Paul’s Macedonian Call that so enraptured me that night some five years ago in the dining center as I read the Acts of the Apostles for the first time. The question that haunted me from that day forward was simply this: Do I have the same God as … More Divine Summons 14
The Macedonian Call Paul was both an “Apostle” and “apostle.” The big “A” Apostles are in a class all by themselves. They played a unique, God-chosen role in the expansion of the church in those early days following Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. They had to have seen the risen Christ. Luke restricts this this to … More Divine Summons 13
I’ve been pulling DI classics out of the old archives this summer. The following is one of the more random posts I’ve written — hence, the title! Honestly, I wonder what exactly I was trying to say. But I feel today that same anticipatory spirit I was feeling back then in ’06. God is preparing … More Out of the Silent Fog to the Tuna Juggling Spectacular
Drivers Ed Car Confessions “Turn left up here. Now, let’s pull over and try an uphill park. Don’t forget to S.M.O.G. Do you remember what S.M.O.G. means? Yes, Signal, check your Mirrors, look Over your shoulder, and if it’s clear you can Go ahead.” Now, imagine carrying on like that for 4 hours straight, 5 … More Divine Summons 12
3 A Vision in the Night Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow … More Divine Summons 11
In the “Divine Summons” series, I am sharing an exciting season of obedience and Revolution ministry in Mound from 2005-2007. All Things to All People The Apostle Paul was willing to wear a lot of hats and learn to navigate many worlds in order to be a more effective servant of the gospel. As he … More Divine Summons 10
I woke up this week…well…bearing the label many would call UNEMPLOYED. Yet, I’m in denial. I reject the label. I met for a my weekly prayer walk with Peter today, and he was adamant to drive home the point: “Jeremy, you’re not unemployed. Unemployed people don’t have a job. You know the job the Lord … More Unemployed or Unpaid?
Stay tuned. There’s a story of great significance behind this rock located in downtown Mound….
My crazy in-laws up north this past weekend. Nice hair, Brento!
Nothing to Write Home About I have always imagined the apostle Paul spending every waking hour of his life teaching in a synagogue or preaching on a street corner somewhere. I doubt I’m the only one who has drawn this inaccurate assumption. I mean, this is the impression the writings give us — especially the … More Divine Summons 9
We’re enjoying a nice, relaxing time at Towering Pines Resort near Crosslake, Minnesota. The entire Oslin clan is up here — our 1, 3 and 4 year-old niece and nephews providing most of the entertainment. 85 degrees and sunny. Lawn chairs, beach towels, a couple books and soda. Does it get any better? Oh, and … More Memorial Day Weekend at Towering Pines
One of the moments that marks one’s journey are the “cleaning out the office” experiences on the last day at a job. I’m 30 and this is the first real office I’ve cleaned out. Some are less fortunate and have cleaned out the office (or cubicle) dozens of times, each time leaving a person more … More The “Clean Out Your Office” Experience
The Danger of the Day to Day Paul had direct orders to bring the gospel to the Gentile world. Aside from a short period of preparation in Arabia, Paul didn’t waste time in getting at it. I, on the other hand, had absolutely no direction for my future. Sure, I was investing years of study … More Divine Summons 8
2 The Trials & Triumphs of Tentmaking But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those … More Divine Summons 7
This is my version of the story after years of reflecting back upon that night in the dining center with my new Bible. I have not tried to embellish it or exaggerate the claims. Though, truth be told, you might get a very different story if you asked someone who was close to me during … More Divine Summons 6
Hearts Burning & Worldview Turning I was no different than the two disciples on the road to Emmaus as I walked across the Bethel campus through the cool spring rain to the dining center toting my new Bible. My future was filled with uncertainty. The story I had been living in — one of my … More Divine Summons 5
A Cliffhanger And It’s Sequel Take a survey sometime of Bible reading Christians and ask them if they’ve spent more time reading the Gospels or the Book of Acts. The answer is will always be the Gospels. And it’s not even a close contest. But why is this? I think the answer is quite obviously … More Divine Summons 4
1 In My Former Book In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave … More Divine Summons 3
The night has come and gone. Our last night of Fusion youth group. For nearly 3 years this has been home. This has been the field God has given us to cultivate. These have been the hearts and minds God has given us to nurture and grow, challenge and lead. What a wonderful season of … More Fusion Finale Snapshots
A Story of Stories My story begins somewhere in the middle of this human struggle to trust my life to God while maintaining control of my own destiny. I was steadily plodding along in my second year of college at Bethel University (then Bethel College). I was doing my best to write my own story, … More Divine Summons 2
This Wednesday is a sad day. We celebrate our last official night of Fusion youth group together before Keri and I prepare to move on. For nearly 3 years these teenagers have been our gift from God and the focus of our Kingdom ministry. In honor of Fusion, here’s a couple snapshots of the kind … More Last Night of Fusion
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago” (Psalm 77:11).
We gain the confidence to face an uncertain future by remembering the faithfulness of God in the past. We are entering a season of uncertainty. Keri and I are preparing to close another chapter in our life of ministry together, and begin a new chapter soon.
Yet, our current chapter at Faith Covenant Church came unexpectedly and all too suddenly for me. When we arrived at Faith in the fall of 2007 I wasn’t ready to close the book on the previous chapter of ministry in Mound. We were seeing a genuine movement of God explode in my hometown, as The Revolution ministry I planted was steadily gaining steam. … More Divine Summons: Introduction
Coffeehouse Live at Ground Zero The next outreach event would be similarly geared towards drawing the local musicians in the school. Many decided they wanted to take the stage after seeing the first Battle of the Bands. But I wondered if we could cast the invitation even wider than just musicians. We decided to inaugurate … More Divine Summons 30
So, I rarely have dreams — or ones that I remember anyway. But this morning I woke up in a cold sweat from a nightmare where I was being chased by a vicious wolf who eventually caught me and began eating my arms off. Is there some deeper significance here? Why would I dream of … More Wolf Attack
Jeremy Berg 