Words fail me for once to express how blessed I am to have Curt Berg as my dad. He’s so steady. So consistent. So trustworthy and loving. In a world where foundations often seem shaky and where people are so often two-faced and fickle, my dad is pure gold all the way through. So friendly. So helpful. So handy and resourceful. So strong and yet tender. So faithful. … More Happy 70th Birthday, Dad!
Over the past nine months I have taught 9 college courses at 4 different schools traveling over 12,000 miles to plant seeds of the Kingdom in the hearts and minds of some 250 students. This is made possible by the financial support of MainStreet and Kingdom Partners like you. Let me share some highlights! … More Teaching Outreach: Year End Report
Another one of my passion projects. Not a “real” book release, but I’ve just finished up compiling my Advent Reflections and sermon series from last year into a fun little keepsake volume as well as to share with anyone interested. Email me if you want me to order you a copy. Then today I somehow … More Book Release: “Christmas On Mount Mystic”
My ministry cup runneth over! (And some days it’s spilling all over the floor.) I haven’t posted any written material here for ages because my time and energy is absorbed with a very full daily teaching and ministry schedule. Maybe it’s time for a brief update. Photo above: A recent Sunday communion service in our … More Where I’ve Been: A Ministry Update
Let me share what I gleaned from bringing my daughter to dance camp this week. … More My Daughter’s Dance Camp and the Kingdom
During my time away from the normal routines and responsibilities of ministry, I have been giving my left-brain a little rest and fired up the creative engine of my right-brain in a fun little project. … More Sabbatical Update: “Hello, Right Brain!”
And she began to explain in 2nd grade terms what no 8-year old should ever have to explain…something this 42-year old can’t find words to explain or make sense of. I walked behind the two, watching my son’s innocent world being punctured, and helplessly watching the ground literally and figuratively becoming less stable under his little feet. … More Sabbatical Thoughts & Crumbling Sidewalks
In a former life I breathed the oxygen of basketball. I gave my heart, soul, mind and strength to excelling on the hardwood. Now 25 years later, I’m a dad on the sidelines and dipping my toe into the world of hoops again. The fiery passion has not returned, but I have been thinking about the game more than usual these days. … More Basketball Fever & Nostalgia
Am I the stereotypical professor scurrying through the door at the last minute, hair disheveled and throwing off my coat as I ramble off an obscure quote by some 4th century theologian? … More Personal Update: Itinerant Professor
This is my second grade son Isaak’s painting. I think it’s majestic and speaks to me on various levels. I wonder what message it sends to you? Even better, what Scripture might it evoke? … More Christmas Snow (Isaak’s Painting)
What if we could bring back impetuous Peter from the dead to be the keynote speaker at a New Year’s Church Leadership conference at MainStreet? Would our attendance spike if the famous water-walking apostle was filling the pulpit the next 8 weeks? Would we show up with eager ears and ready to take notes? … More New Year’s Letter: St. Peter’s Last Words
I carried the casket of my uncle LuVerne yesterday and watched it be lowered into the ground. The somber day transported me back into childhood as I remembered happy memories of Thanksgiving on the farm with all the aunts and uncles and cousins. … More Uncle LuVerne’s Accordion (Thanksgiving 2021)
My friend John Phelps shared a powerful sermonette in Israel that brought many to tears. Standing in the Garden of Gethsemane he said, “This is my first time standing in this place, and yet I’ve been here many times.” He shared wisdom on how to face our own suffering, and now he’s battling brain cancer and practicing what he preached. … More Facing Your Own Gethsemane
We think the kingdom comes by taking responsibility, putting in the blood, sweat and tears, grabbing life (and faith) by the horns. This is life, faith, and ministry under the heavy yoke. This is the pathway to burnout, bitterness, and disillusionment with God and religion. This is doing God’s work without God’s presence and power. … More I Am Nicodemus
A couple weekends ago, I grabbed my iPhone 8 (yep, a few models behind) and mini-tripod and drove north to Lake Superior with a singular goal of capturing some video for a little “Welcome Video” for the front page of my newly branded (still tweaking) Kingdom Harbor website. … More “Filming” On the North Shore
What message does a father preach at his firstborn’s baptism? Well, if his name is Peter, he loves adventurous sea stories, and desires to be a bold disciple, how about Matthew 14:22-33? … More Waters of Faith: A Baptism Sermon
What thoughts or feelings do you have when you pass a person on a street corner holding a cardboard sign, asking for help? Do you give them some cash and a smile as you roll by? Do you think, “Why don’t you just get a job?” Do you look the other way, avoid eye contact, and drive away feeling uneasy and conflicted? … More Entertaining Homeless Angels
Today, I walked onto the campus of North Central University with my fancy leather bag with books and lecture notes for my first day of teaching the required introduction to Christian Theology course. … More Professor Berg is on Campus!
“In those days there were giants in the land” (Gen. 6:4) and in the early 90s there were giant clay footed leaders spilling the wine of the kingdom all over Robbinsdale high school gymnasium. Last night I felt like Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration, hanging with Elijah, Moses and Jesus in a cloud of sacred storytelling. … More Hangin’ with Elijah, Moses, & Jesus
For the past 12 years I have called my blog Daily Illumination. I am expanding and broadening my online ministry platform, and today would like to introduce a new theme I am trying out. Introducing “Kingdom Harbor.” … More Welcome to Kingdom Harbor!
I kicked off the series with the first Bible verse that actively snuck into my daily life, and senior yearbook photo caption! While my good buddy pledged his undying love to his high school sweetheart that wouldn’t last, I gave a shout out to God and stumbled onto a verse that would have lasting impact! … More New Podcast Series: “LifeVerses”
From a piece for the local newspaper While the pandemic was bringing many churches to a screeching halt, MainStreet Covenant Church was on the move in 2020—to the lake! MainStreet has moved their ministry to the shores of Lake Minnetonka at St. Martins By the Lake Church in Minnetonka Beach after 7 years in their … More MainStreet: “Gone to the Lake”
Here’s what I’ve been reading, watching, listening to lately for anyone interested. What’s on your summer reading list? … More What I’ve Been Reading, Watching, Listening to Lately
My Father’s Day highlight was performing “Not All Heroes Wear Capes” by Owl City with my son and for my dad in the fourth row. :) … More Father’s Day Duet
What sets good dads apart from the rest is that, while flawed and always falling short, they keep showing up and giving their best. Even on the bad days, when they’re empty and feel like they have nothing left in the tank to give, they show up anyways. … More Not All Heroes Wear Capes (Father’s Day)
Jeremy Berg 