From Barna: Today’s teens are navigating a mental health crisis: 39 percent frequently feel uncertain or anxious, 29 percent are regularly lonely and 26 percent often feel isolated. But parents are feeling the strain too. Four in 10 say they’re too stressed to function most days, and many lack the emotional support they need to care for … More Gen Z is Hurting, and Parents Too
This fall we are spending several weeks meditating on the Beatitudes in a series of posts by the good folks at The After Party. This week we turn to Blessed are the Meek. I would like to start with a personal question: If the meek will inherit the land, then why do we allow the … More Meekness Isn’t Weakness
The kids are back in school! Now a strange silence fills the house after our three kids all get on the same bus this year at 7:30. In this stillness, my contemplative soul can breathe again and find space conducive to creative pursuits. But in the stillness and quiet, many of us can also feel and hear the deep sigh of weariness that broods just beneath the surface. … More Feeling Weary? You’re Not Alone.
I’ve been on vacation this past week, so no action here at Kingdom Harbor. My worlds collide in this stack of books I’ve been plodding through this summer — theology, spirituality, music and art. What are you reading these days? … More Worlds Collide: Summer Books
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
As we remember Pope Francis and his legacy, I want to recommend a very enjoyable film I have seen twice. Do yourself a favor and skip the recent film, “Conclave” (which I saw in the theater but don’t recommend) and watch the uplifting and entertaining “The Two Popes” (2019). You’ll thank me. … More Pope Francis and a Movie
The Life of David series concludes soon, coinciding with the premiere of the new Amazon Prime series HOUSE OF DAVID on March 2. This series depicts David’s rise to kingship amidst King Saul’s decline, with assurances of biblical fidelity and quality from creators familiar with faith-based projects, including Dallas Jenkins. … More NEW! House of David TV Series
If I have socially withdrawing tendencies, it’s because I’m trying to survive life married to an incurable socialite who’s constantly dragging me into public. When we’re not out on the town, she’s welcoming the town into our home. Just this morning I asked what are evening plans are, and she said, “Not much…except Peter is inviting his entire basketball team to sleep over.” We have very different definitions of “not much.” Scot McKnight riffs today on Derek Thompson’s essay, “The Anti-Social Century.” … More Eating Alone
“The obviously well kept secret of the “ordinary” is that it is made to be a receptacle of the divine, a place where the life of God flows.” These words from Dallas Willard get to the heart of my meditation this coming Sunday as I get into the character of Mary in our “Contemplative Christmas” series. I am delighted … More Receptacles of the Divine
It’s the anniversary we never wanted, nor will ever forget. One year ago we rushed Isaak (11) to the ER with abdominal pain, and ended up in the ICU at Children’s for 31 agonizing days. To mark the anniversary, I’m instead sharing a podcast episode celebrating his baptism this summer and the sermon I gave on that occasion. Listen as Sarah and Doug do a Deep Dive into my message. … More Podcast #176 – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble (Deep Dive)
Today I’m sharing an editorial piece on the so-called cat-eaters of Springfield and a song by Jon Guerra that will pierce your heart and leave you in tears. The closing line is “Power has several prizes,
Handcuffs can come in all sizes,
Love has a million disguises,
But winning is simply not one.” … More Exotic Cat-Eaters and Christian Citizenship
It’s the 4th quarter of the Super Bowl, you’re down by 5 with 20 seconds on the clock. Quarterback gathers the team into a huddle to draw up one last play to try to score the game winning touchdown. That’s one fateful huddle to be part of! But I can think of an ever better huddle to eaves drop on. … More A Super Bowl Huddle for the Ages
Let me tell you about a dream come true, twenty long years in the making. … More Full Circle: Back to Bethel This Fall!
Back in the mini-van of dreams for another spring break road trip. A few highlights so far include: Visited the Hoosier Gym in Indiana where the classic 1985 film “Hoosiers” was filmed. A neat tour by charming old volunteers — like 92 years old! Then they let you shoot around and burn some energy. In … More Spring Break ’22: Myrtle Beach, S.C.
This weekend I graduate from Northern Seminary as a Doctor of the Church specializing the historical context of the New Testament. This moment has been a long time in the making. Like 18 years! Here’s the story. … More Writing Your Dreams in Ink
“Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.” LUKE 15 Just a reminder that I am breathing new life into many old devotionals with my Daily Illumination Audio podcast. It’s a lot of fun to “perform” these old stories in audio format. This past week, for example, I shared this piece on Chasing Lambs. … More Chasing Lambs
Originally posted on Jeremy L. Berg:
Here’s a throwback “Roadside Reflection” from a few years back. What can a small-town misfit or local laughingstock teach us about Christmas? LISTEN. Jeremy L. Berg View original post
Happy Black Friday … um, I guess? But what if we could purchase some positivity and throw some joy and peace and love at those we meet? This has been a very difficult year for artists and musicians, unable to gig and play to crowded rooms. It’s also been a hard year for fans of … More Poetic Resonance – Buy the Gift of Positivity
It is important to love one’s neighbor — but in America, individual freedom is often more prized than biblical admonitions. … More Wearing Masks, Loving Neighbors & the Mark of the Beast
“The monastery is a school of love because it teaches us to forget ambition, convenience and self-gratification in order to open our hearts to love.” … More Parenting — Domestic Monastery
It is not the sins we are tempted to commit that ought to frighten us, but the acts of justice we are never inspired to attempt. … More More Than Sin-Avoidance (Skye Jethani)
There is no shame in being privileged or being white; it’s whether or not we’re aware of this privilege, understand that privilege often comes at another’s expense, and, most importantly, what we decide to do with our privilege. … More Jesus, Power, and Privilege
The lesson that God would judge a city for its economic practices is a sobering thought. The fact that much of the condemnation appears to stem from its self-indulgence should hit with particular force at modern consumer culture … More Revelation Reveals a Tale of Two Cities
Phil Vischer (Veggie Tales) and his law professor brother Rob taught a class that touched on the Black Lives Matter movement, asking and attempting to answer the question, “Why so angry? Isn’t racism over?” … More Conversation #1: History of Post-Civil War Racism
This is a “kairos moment” for the white church and America that I pray doesn’t pass us by leaving us unchanged. … More Pastoral Letter: A ‘Kairos’ Moment for the American Church
Jeremy L. Berg 