This is an older post that fits this time of year when people are contemplating their plans for the new year. Grace and peace. -JB “Where do you plan to be three to five years from now?” I have been asked this question two or three times in the past couple weeks. For some reason … More My Crystal Ball: Facing the Future in Faith
Few teachers have been more influential in my spiritual journey through college and seminary (and beyond) than Greg Boyd and Paul Eddy. One of the lessons I’m trying to learn from them is not to take myself too seriously. Here’s yet another teaching moment. I’m taking notes. =) Remember Jesus’ words: “A student is not … More My Spiritual Mentors
What a ride it’s been — for me at least. One year ago I started the new Daily Illumination blog. Why? I have been reading obsessively for the past decade, intaking large quantities of biblical facts and knowledge, listening to lectures and podcasts, completing two degrees in Biblical and Theological Studies. Last January I felt … More Daily Illumination 2009: Year In Review
Once and awhile I like to post a video giving my readers a glimpse into the wonderful high school ministry I get to lead. Here’s a peak at our annual Christmas dance we call “Shimmer & Shine.” This year we went back to the 1940s to the Hollywood Canteen for some swing dancing. Enjoy!
So many theological, social and political debates rage on all around us and it’s so easy to get sucked into unnecessary arguments. The Church, tragically, is notorious for drawing unnecessary lines in the sand, splitting hairs and dividing over nonessential doctrines, political viewpoints, cultural debates and so on. Once in a while it’s refreshing to … More For the Record: “I Believe…”
What are your favorite Christmas movies? This is hard because I have two different categories for different moods. First, there are my favorite “meaningful” movies that are usually nostalgic and classic. Second, there are those fun, family favorites that you have to see each year. Here are my top 3 with some honorable mention runner-ups. … More My Top 3: Christmas Movies
Someday I might go skydiving. But today it’s enough to say I’ve gone sky-blogging. Yes, in this crazy world of technological conveniences one can surf the web, send emails, watch NetFlix, video chat with people across the world on Skype and blog from 30,000 feet in an airplane. Welcome to the 21st Century. Keri … More Blogging From 30,000 Feet
Now, for something completely different. Are the Muppets making a comeback? I hope so and it appears so. (Did they ever completely leave the scene?) Last week my friend and I stopped reading our current blogs and news websites to check out the Muppets perform Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” (see below). Tonight I watched a new … More My Top 3: Muppets
Testimonial Sermon originally given at Bethel Methodist Church in my hometown of Mound, Minnesota, on April 30, 2006. This is my story and I’m stickin’ to it. Thanks be to God! Introduction As I was preparing to preach this first sermon in my hometown, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ preaching debut in his … More My Faith Story: A Collision of Stories
December is here again. The season of Advent is upon us. We often complain about the busyness of this season full of holiday parties, shopping sprees, and endless traveling to be with our crazy families for the holidays. Yet, we all have those special memories and traditions that we try to recreate each year and … More Winter Dreams: Books & Hot Cocoa by a Cozy Fireplace
The “My Top 3” series is your chance to get to know some of my personal favorites. Today, on a lighter note, I share my favorite 3 bands. These are not necessarily my vote for the BEST bands of all time. I would have to place The Beatles, Led Zepellin, Elvis Presley and many others … More My Top 3: Rock & Roll Bands
We Christians in the Christian blogosphere can easily isolate ourselves and our writing into a little club of associates who all speak our language and understand our biblical framework. This goes for Christians in general who only surround themselves with other Christians and pastors whose social interaction is almost exclusively with fellow believers. When … More An Interview: Some Personal Thoughts
Just one more reason my wife is so amazing. She really knows how to throw a party and puts extra time into the little details that make it more special. Check out her creepy crawler cookies and cupcake creations! They sure didn’t taste as scary as they looked. PS: She even let me put some … More Keri’s Creepy Crawler Cookies & Cupcakes
I spent the weekend with 400+ senior high teens at Trout Lake Camp’s fall “Break-away” retreat. The weekend featured energetic worship led by the talented and fun Bensonwells and animated speaker Ketric Newell. Most excitingly, I saw students ministered to and challenged to be a generation that rises up and takes the baton and lives all … More Fusion Fall Retreat
I was blogging this morning in my study when a little furry visitor scurried in to say hi. Yes, we have a chipmunk in our house! He tried sneaking up on me in my study. This was a huge violation of my sacred space. I jumped up and said, “Hey, stop right there Mister!” and … More The Undercover Chipmunk Spy & Book Thief
I’m a podcast addict. I haven’t listened to my car stereo forever. My CDs are collecting dust and the songs on my iPod are far outnumbered by all of the podcast sermons, lectures, radio programs I subscribe to. While I listen to my staple sermons each week by my favorite pastors (Greg Boyd, David Johnson, … More My Top 3: Cultural Commentators
These are not the BEST books I’ve read. There are definitely books more profound, better written, more well-known and vastly more influential. But there are books that we read at certain times in our own spiritual and intellectual journeys that just come at the perfect time to open new windows of thought, challenge previous convictions … More My Top 3: Impacting Books
Where were you when the news broke on that tragic morning in America September 11, 2001? That’s the question we all ask years later. And we all remember. For what it’s worth, I was in my car on the way to Bethel University to lift weights with some buddies on campus. We didn’t lift any … More Remembering 9/11
“Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be … More PHILIPPIANS 25: Basketball and Dog Dung (3:8-9)
Nobody likes being told what to do and what not to do. To some degree or another, everybody is suspicious and wary of “authority” and those we call “authority figures.” We think of relentless bosses, overbearing parents, slave-driving teachers, stern-eyed judges and intimidating police officers. Yet, the Authority that stands above the rest is God. … More A Powerful Collision: God, Bible, Authority & Narrative 2
Keri made me watch it. I didn’t want to. I watched it when it first came out in the mid 80s when I was about 8 years old. It was creepy. Do you remember The Neverending Story? Bastian is a boy bossed around by his dad and bullied by schoolmates, all the while grieving the death … More MOVIE REVIEW: The Neverending Story (1984)
There is a lot of discussion over Pastor John Piper’s statement that God sent a tornado to Minneapolis yesterday to warn the ELCA leaders not to condone homosexuality. Read more about it HERE. This story has my head spinning and my theology challenged. I feel I need to come clean with my confusion because I … More God & Tornados: A Personal Confession
We had been dating exactly one year. I had to come up with the perfect gift for our special date that night. I was determined to write her a love song, but had only a lyric-less tune bouncing around in my head as I drove off to work that day. I was sub teaching at … More Happy Anniversary, Love!
Every scholar-teacher has their favorite topic — those aspects of their field of study they are most passionate about. When a student raises a question related to one of your favorite topics, you get instantly energized, your voice gains added force and you launch into lecture mode. In my Bible Studies and discussions with people … More My Top 3: Theological “Hobbyhorses”
Jeremy Berg 