Jesus called out predatory religion, disrupted economies of exploitation, named rulers’ threats without flinching, and still refused the sword. Loving our enemies never meant moral equivalence, but refusing to mirror their violence while committing to standing between them and the people they crush. … More The Way of Jesus is Still Narrow
This is a powerful sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber for this moment, originally shared in the wake of a mass shooting years ago. As a woman preacher, I can’t help but love St Mary Magdalen. When I first discerned my call to be a preacher I got a tattoo of her on my forearm. I felt that when I needed to, I could borrow her strength. … More Mary Magdalen & Showing Up After Violence
“Our society is experiencing change at unprecedented rates. Young people are navigating these changes alongside the challenges that adolescence and young adulthood present. Young people want and need safe spaces and relationships to talk about what they’re experiencing and find guidance on how to move forward” (Springtide). … More Helping Young People In Uncertain Times
It’s easy to look at the brokenness in our nation and just feel angry. Angry at “those people,” angry at leaders, angry at the way things are. We live in a culture addicted to outrage. Outrage mobilizes. It raises money. It fills cable news time slots.
But Jesus doesn’t say “Blessed are those who rage.” He says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” … More Do we Mourn … or Just Rage?
Saturdays I try to pick up my guitar, push record, and share a little impromptu, one take song to start your lazy (or busy!) Saturday. Here’s a classic song by Kris Kristofferson I just learned and will be performing Monday at my classic country concert at Founders Ridge. … More #SaturdaySong – “Help Me Make it Through the Night”
Yesterday, nine former directors of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who served under both Democratic and Republican presidents reaching back to President Jimmy Carter, published an op-ed in the New York Times warning that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “is endangering every American’s health.” … More Nine Former Directors of the CDC
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.
Sneaking this one in before this beautiful Saturday is over. Keri put this song by Bob Schneider on a mixtape that she gave to me when we first started dating. It has always struck a deep chord in me. Enjoy! … More #SaturdaySong – “Metal and Steel”
As a gift to my Mom and Dad on their 50th anniversary, I took my first stab at being a “recording artist” and recorded this special song for them by Paul Overstreet. After a week of recording and trying to mix the audio well (watching HOURS of sound mixing tutorials), I spent this past week creating a music video featuring old family video clips and photos. … More 50th Anniversary Song: “What God Has Joined Together”
In this episode, I announce the upcoming release of my latest book, “The Tale of the Grandfather Clock”, dedicated to Mom and Dad who celebrate their 50th Anniversary this week! To introduce the book, we turn to our friends Sarah and Doug who unpack it in their latest “Deep Dive” episode. … More Podcast #212 – Wedding Bells & Clanging Clocks
This week my Mom and Dad celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary! So, it’s the perfect time to announce the release of my latest short story picture book, “The Tale of the Grandfather Clock: A Wedding Parable.” The book is dedicated to them. Here’s a sneak peek. … More NEW BOOK: Tale of the Grandfather Clock
Our church recently completed a 12-week exploration of “The Cruciform Kingdom,” focusing on the essence of Christ-like love, non-violence, and peacemaking. Jesse P. Nickel’s “A Revolutionary Jesus” highlights Jesus’ role as a peacemaker, emphasizing the significance of the cross in understanding his victory over evil through non-violent means. … More The Victory of the Cross
Part of the magic of my marriage with Keri these past 20 years is that we have similar music tastes. The one tragic exception is she does not like Elton John. Even more inexplicable, she does not even like THIS song, which may rank in my top 10 of best love songs of all time. … More #SaturdaySong – “Your Song”
I bought a “new” vintage guitar – a restored 1949 Gibson LG-2 acoustic, and it sounds great! In today’s podcast episode, I talk about “incarnational spirituality” and how God delights in working in and through ordinary objects like dirty handkerchiefs and old wooden guitars. Then Doug and Sara discuss an old piece I wrote reflecting on life and faith through the metaphor of music and Willie Nelson’s old guitar “Trigger.” … More Podcast #211 – Vintage Guitars & Incarnational Spirituality
We celebrated the life of my Uncle Gary a couple weeks back. I was privileged to participate in the service, along with my kids and other grand nieces and nephews. Peter and I led us in some hymns, and we performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (without breaking down, somehow). I shared the sermon and am including the script here for anyone interested. … More Looking for the Living Among the Dead
Happy Saturday. Grab your morning coffee and newspaper, or book, or crossword, or lap dog, and enjoy this song by Storyhill that I played for Keri at our wedding reception 20 years ago! … More #SaturdaySong – “If I Could”
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
Happy Saturday! Each Saturday I try to share a song – usually a rough, first take recording from the basement music room. Still, hopefully they sound good enough to brighten your weekend and put a smile on your face. This is a special song Katy Perry sings with her daughter that Abby shared with Uncle … More #SaturdaySong – “Cover Me In Sunshine”
In this episode I pay tribute to my Uncle Gary who passed away this week. About a month ago I recorded these thoughts on my phone during an evening walk as I pondered Gary’s humble service to his church as cemetery caretaker. Here’s a rare glimpse of me “thinking out loud” on one of my Jesus Walks. … More Podcast #210 – Uncle Gary: Cemetery Caretaker
This song is for my love, Kjerstin Jo, on our 20th wedding anniversary this week! The song is by Pete Murray, one Keri sent me last week. It’s been in my head ever since. I hope she will accept it as an alternative to flowers; it will last longer. :) … More #SaturdaySong – “Home to Me”
Me and the kids are performing tonight at Surfside Beach in Mound between 6:30-8:30 as part of the Westonka Showcase to kick off our city’s Spirit of the Lakes Festival. Grab a lawn chair and come hear us! Perfect night. … More Live Music Tonight!
20 Years is a BIGGY. I’m usually not short for words, but today I’m gonna just share a few photos and let them do the talking. And I recorded a remix of my song “Angels in the Sky”, giving it a different vibe.The song tells the story of our first few dates. I love you, Keri Jo. Here’s to 20 more! … More Happy 20th Anniversary, Keri Jo!
This is a tender moment caught on video. I was joined by music therapist Chris playing amazing Grace for my uncle Gary in hospice. These music therapists are angels in disguise, having a powerful impact. … More #SaturdaySong – “Amazing Grace” in a Hospital
In this hodge hodge episode, I share some of my summer adventures, roadtrips, readings, and some thoughts on recently being selected for my high school athletic hall of fame! … More Podcast #209 – Midsummer Meanderings
The author shares insights on three impactful books: “Van Gogh: The Life,” which deeply explores the artist’s troubled psyche; “Blood in the Tracks,” highlighting the overlooked Minnesota musicians behind Dylan’s masterpiece; and Dallas Willard’s new “The Scandal of the Kingdom,” revealing the transformative significance of Jesus’s parables in contemporary life. … More Vacation Reading
Jeremy L. Berg 