This episode of the Anchor Podcast comes to you from the Pepin Forest Tree House where I am spending a night away for my birthday. In this episode, I share a bit about ministering to my uncle in hospice, recommend a great Tom Petty song, and then pick up part 3 of the story of my call to ministry in my hometown 20 years ago. Enjoy! … More Podcast #208 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 3
My uncle Gary is nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage. Hospital rooms and end of life ministry are what the Irish call “thin places” where our earthly realm often bumps up against the heavenly realm. Today, Gary shared something very special. “Last night Mom came to me in my sleep to say hello.” Mom (aka my grandma) is in Heaven, so tears welt up in all of our eyes. … More Uncle Gary’s Southern Accent
Happy Saturday! Here’s a classic Alan Jackson song, one of the “newer” songs in my classic country show that takes us on a trip through the 20th century, going back as far as the 1870s and spending most time in the 1960s and 70s. Wink, wink. ;) … More #SaturdaySong – “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”
This episode continues the origin story of my call to ministry in my hometown as I mark 20 years. I share about my jobs as a sub teacher and driving instructor, and how God used these odd jobs to set the stage for a “revolutionary” teen ministry I helped spearhead in 2005. … More Podcast #207 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 2
This is one of my favorite and very early Johnny Cash songs, first recorded in 1958. Look for the version of Johnny singing this with Bob Dylan around 1969. … More #SaturdaySong – “I Still Miss Someone”
To celebrate 20 years of hometown ministry, I’m thinking about sharing excerpts from an unfinished “memoir” written back in 2010 detailing my call to ministry in my hometown. Enjoy a glimpse into the mind of a young leader desiring not only to read the Bible as a casual observer, but hoping to be swept up in the Story its telling. … More Podcast #206 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 1
I want to share some reflections on 20 years of ministry in my hometown. I have told the story of launching the Revolution teen ministry in Mound many times, but I have never mentioned the book that I led teenagers through that laid a foundation for that ministry and lit a spark for the brand of Jesus-shaped Christianity I have pursued and taught over the past 20 years. … More 20 Years: The Irresistible Revolution
Here are some highlights from Abby and my show last Friday. I shared a piece explaining the nature of this personal show earlier this week. Read “Precious Memories.” Enjoy a glimpse of Abby being a brave 10 year old! … More #SaturdaySong – Country Show Highlights
I have been thinking about anointing lately. This ancient biblical practice is foreign to us today. When was the last time someone poured oil over your head and down your beard? Probably never. This past weekend our family had the chance to anoint my uncle in the hospital who is dying. … More Like Oil Poured on the Head
This summer marks my 20th year in full time ministry, graduating from Bethel Seminary on this day in 2005. I will probably be marking 20 years with some fresh reflections this summer on 20 years in ministry, and most of those 20 years of ministry in my hometown. For today, I wanted to share what … More 20 Years Out of Seminary
“This show is very personal,” I said stepping onto stage wearing a black cowboy shirt with white cowboy hat. “We’re going on a 75 minute journey through the country hits of the 20th century, but more personally, a trip into my childhood memories.” This summer I’m playing the soundtrack of my childhood – literally – with the help of my little cowgirl, Abby. … More Precious Memories
Willie Nelson may be my favorite country singer of all time. His nasally pitch is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love his unconventional timing and phrasing, and his songwriting is as legendary as his unique fingering on his Martin classical guitar, “Trigger.” This song is a bit of a tearjerker full of regret, just as Willie will confess many of his broken relationships are as well. … More #SaturdaySong – “Always On My Mind”
Happy Saturday! Dipping back into my Dylan set this week, here’s a great Bob Dylan song from his 1975 Blood on the Tracks album. He was living on his farm on the Crow River in Hanover, Minnesota, when he was writing this masterpiece of an album. I drive by that farm whenever I am in the area, and imagine him writing songs like this one staring out the window at the river. … More #SaturdaySong – “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome”
Abby has been obsessed with this Dolly song for weeks, and she performed it recently at the Country Jam at the Gillespie Center. The mornings I drive her to the bus stop, she practices it in the car while we wait. Here’s us rough cut from the Cavern with Peter experimenting on the drums. I dig Abby’s dance moves. … More #SaturdaySong – “Here You Come Again”
Here’s Abby and I goofing around in our Music Cavern, doing a rough first take on “Jackson” as part of our classic country set we’re putting together. My first full show is this coming Monday in Eden Prairie. Making good memories! We recorded a few others, so look forward to more #SaturdaySongs in coming weeks. … More #SaturdaySong – “Jackson”
In this episode I share a word on our upcoming Country Jam event this Wednesday, and a short reflection from a brief encounter with my high school cross country and basketball coach on a wooded trail one morning. Coach’s cliche coaching advice strangely lined up perfectly with the Holy Spirit’s whisper in my ears these days. … More Podcast #201 – Keep Shooting!
This spring and summer I am putting together an old classic country set to perform at senior residences and other venues. The highlight has been getting Abby (10) involved and watching her embrace old Dolly Parton songs such as “Jolene” and “Here You Come Again.” Come see us May 14 at the Gillespie Center’s “Country Jam.” … More Classic Country Show
I was 21 years old. I was in the honeymoon period of my newfound faith. I still remember how exciting it was reading my new Study Bible. Everything was new. I had highlighter in hand. Underlining relevant passages. Pondering remarkable truths. I get emotional pulling out that old Bible, and remembering the moment I first underlined this or that passage. God was speaking to me. I was reading His love letters and falling deeper in love with my Savior. … More Explosive Truth
I made a silent vow to myself a few years ago to spend the money and miss seeing “bucket list” musical legends when they come to town. So, I have a little slush fund of “gig” cash hidden away in one of my books, and I’ve been dipping into it recently. In the past few weeks, I saw two 83-year old legends — Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. … More Pure Art, No Frills
Here’s a rough cut, first attempt at a newer song. A powerful message and charge to keep laboring for the LORD, and to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up and quit” (Gal. 6:9). I like the rough unpolished vocal for the message of this song, just as Jesus graciously works in and through our rough and unpolished lives. … More #SaturdaySong – “My Labour Is Not In Vain”
We celebrated Easter this year under the shadow of disease and death. We sang victory songs nearer to the tomb than usual. Jesus’ grave is empty, but we will someday be lowered into ours — at least temporarily. I used to visit a cemetery early on Easter morning before showing up at church to proclaim God’s victory over the grave. It’s good to stare death in the face before you go on stage to publicly announce its humiliation and defeat! … More Swedish Pancakes By the Empty Tomb
Here’s an artsy video snippet of one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs we covered at our recent show. I find great joy listening to Peter’s happy piano in the background, and don’t miss Jared’s wink on the drums at the beginning. We’re having fun. … More I Want You
This past weekend is up there on my Mount Rushmore of most meaningful and monumental events of my life. It’s up there with my wedding, ordination, launch of MainStreet, the births of my children. You think I’m overstating it, but I’m not. A shy artist and musician has been living inside me for decades, longing to be seen and trying to muster the courage to come out of hiding. That part of me went public Saturday night! … More What a Weekend! Concert Recap
The local newspaper ran a piece on my 20 years of hometown ministry and upcoming music debut at the Spring Fling concert fundraiser at the Gillespie Center on April 5. Check it out! … More Making Local News
Loaded up the minivan and headed south to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for spring break. On our trip down we visited both The Ark Encounter in Kentucky and The Billy Graham Library near Charlotte, NC. Now it’s days of long walks on the beach counting beached jelly fish with Isaak, bumping a volleyball on the beach with Peter, floating in the lazy river with Abby or a good book, lots of sunscreen and random day adventures. … More Spring Break in Myrtle Beach
Jeremy L. Berg 