I’m digging into the writings of the early church fathers, and was reading Athanasius last night. I came across a little gem in my “digging” that perfectly aligns with one of my favorite writing projects. In The Father’s Song, I try to tell the Big Story of the Bible using the metaphor of a divine melody … More Making Music with Athanasius
Keri and I were out in the yard doing some spring raking a while back. Keri had made some piles of leaves and weeds, and I was coming around behind her to bag them up. I was in for a painful surprise when I grabbed a pile of leaves with my bare hands only to … More Going Green 5: Thorns and Thistles
You may be thinking, “Sorry, I’m not into gardening, so maybe I’ll skip this series.” Not so fast. We’re talking about something far more central to our humanity than growing vegetables and flowers. God the Creator made human begins in his divine image and likeness, and part of this likeness is our ability to join … More Going Green 4: God’s Junior Gardeners
A National Gardening Survey revealed that 71 percent of all U.S. households (an estimated 82 million) participated in one or more types of lawn and garden activities in 2007. The most popular lawn and garden activities in 2007 included lawn care (48% of households), growing indoor houseplants (31% of households), flower gardening (30% of households), … More Going Green 3: Do-It-Yourself or Hired Hands?
My boys and I planted some trees a couple summers ago. Each week we went out to water them together. Peter was almost 4 and Isaak was almost 2 years old. I noticed something each time we watered them together. I poured the bucket of water all around the little tree to sink down and … More Going Green 2: Water the Roots
God has green thumbs. There’s no doubt about that. You are never closer to the heart and purposes of God than when you’re on you’re on your knees in the garden pulling weeds with sweat running down your brow. Or tilling that rocky soil, pulling up thorns and thistles, or wringing your hands with frustration … More Going Green 1: God Has Green Thumbs
SIGNS, SIGNS, EVERYWHERE THERE’S SIGNS “They’re not just for decoration.” That’s what I tell my beginning drivers as they nervously drive down the road with tunnel vision, never reading the myriad of signs lining the roadside. Signs warn us of potential hazards ahead. They inform us of services up the road. They regulate traffic flow … More RUSH HOUR 7: Road Signs & Warning Lights
Once we have found ourselves traveling down God’s Holy Highway, with the wind of the spirit at our backs and the bright morning Son lighting the road ahead, there are still some basic driving tips we can follow to make the trip safer, more enjoyable and problem-free. One of the many jobs I have had … More RUSH HOUR 6: Eyes on the Road!
The decision to make a U-turn in life is much more difficult when everyone else seems to be headed in the same direction. I mean, come on! Can all this traffic possibly be going the wrong way? I mean, isn’t it safest to just go with the flow if you’re not sure what direction you should be headed? … More RUSH HOUR 5: Going Against the Flow
Turn around. Change direction. Make a U-turn. These are all accurate renderings of the Greek word metanoia, which is translated “repent” in most Bibles. The word ‘repent’ is loaded with religious baggage, notions of gloom and doom, judgment and wrath, hellfire and brimstone. But the word literally means “change” (meta) of “mind” (noia). Why even … More RUSH HOUR 4: Time to Make a U-Turn
You have heard it said, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” But I’m more convinced it is paved with bad directions. If Eve’s grave sin in the garden was a failure to follow God’s directions, her punishment has been putting up with Adam the rest of the way who refuses to … More RUSH HOUR 3: Asking for Directions
The Christian life should be a life on the road. It should be viewed as a long, exciting road trip. We are like “Christian” in John Bunyan’s classic allegory The Pilgrim’s Progress, who is “a man on an adventurous journey across rough terrain, over sunlit hills, and through dark valleys… From the City of Destruction … More RUSH HOUR 2: On the Road Again
“The gate is wide and the road easy that leads off a cliff, and there are many who drive it. But the gate is narrow and the road is bumpy that leads to life, and there are few who take it.” Matthew 7:13-14 “There will be a highway called the Holy Road… It’s for … More RUSH HOUR 1: Buckle Up
The average American has a 21 minute commute and spends 175 hours per year in the car—and that’s just for work! Over a 40-year career, one will spend approximately 291 full days behind the wheel! That’s a lot of time to think about all the spiritual lessons one can glean from their time behind the wheel. Join Jeremy … More NEW SERIES: Rush Hour
The following Lenten reflections come from a chapter entitled “Garbage Day” from an unpublished devotional book of mine exploring the deeper realities of faith through the daily routines of life (read more about my “Sacred Analogies”). This chapter explores the reality of the spiritual garbage (i.e., sin) in our souls and why we need to … More GARBAGE DAY 1 – Got Junk?
LENTEN REFLECTION SERIES The ancient Christian season of Lent is a 40-day journey leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Christians have observed this 40-day season through intentional self-examination and repentance, demonstrated by self-denial and fasting. I would like to spend this Lent by a series of reflections on the theme of sin … More When to Use the “S” Word
In the “Alarm Clock” series Jeremy offers some spiritual lessons and biblical insights from the all-too-familiar process of waking up. This excerpt is called “Christmas Gifts & Final Exams.” Enjoy! Six-o-clock. The alarm has sounded. The sun is peeking through the half-raised shade, piercing your squinting eyes as you roll over to hit the snooze bar for … More Alarm Clock: Reflections on Spiritual Awakening
No one likes being underdressed. A beautiful sunset off the coastline is hard to enjoy when you are shivering in a T-shirt and shorts. It’s hard to enjoy three feet of fresh powder on the slopes of Aspen when your fingers and toes are numb from the bitter cold. And a rainy camping trip is … More Dirty Laundry 7: Dress Accordingly
Fashion trends come and go like the ocean tide, but one fad that is here to stay is the style of being in style. And the drive toward conformity begins at a surprisingly early age. I still remember my first brush with the “fashion police” from way back in grade school. The popular brand name … More Dirty Laundry 6: Jesus en Vogue
Whether we like it or not, our clothes make a statement. Uniforms identify us with a particular team, business, or school. Our attire often pigeonholes us by profession. The white-collar, blue-collar distinction is still readily acknowledged. More superficially, in school brand name shoppers are given more respect, while secondhand thrift shoppers are seen as “not … More Dirty Laundry 5: Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve
For some, the entire idea of clothing one’s self with an alter ego, taking on a new persona empowered to accomplish awesome things, sounds like mere fantasy. It sounds just like our favorite comic book superheroes. Clark Kent goes into a phone booth and, seconds later, comes out Superman. Diana spins around in circles to … More Dirty Laundry 4: Superheroes & Phone Booths
Everyday we get up and put on new clothes. Yesterday’s apparel is dirty, wrinkled and smelly from yesterday’s work. Today is a new day, and should begin with clean, fresh smelling clothes. Yesterday’s attire may be spotted with embarrassing coffee or ketchup stains. Old pants get holes in awkward places. Dress shirts get “ring around … More Dirty Laundry 3: New Clothes for a New Day
You and some friends have escaped to a secluded lake in the country for some night swimming. To add to the excitement, you dare each other to take off your suits for a skinny-dipping rush. Just after you set your suits on the swimming dock and have swam out some fifty yards from shore a … More Dirty Laundry 2: Naked & Ashamed
“We do not want to be found naked, but clothed; so that what is mortal will be transformed by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4 “Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.” Colossians 3:10 … More Dirty Laundry 1: Introduction
Remember Drivers Ed class? Remember Behind-the-Wheel? In the “Student Driver” series, Jeremy shares some of the profound similarities between learning to drive and the road to discipleship. Jeremy writes from the unique vantage point of both a certified Driving Instructor and a pastor. This excerpt is called “Fatal Distractions.” Buckle up!
Jeremy L. Berg 