Keeping Watch in the New Year
December 31, 2019
I’m so glad the shepherd’s near Bethlehem didn’t have smartphones or Netflix that first Christmas. Can you imagine the scene? … More Keeping Watch in the New Year
WOW – Aquinas on the Incarnation
December 30, 2019
This week’s Words of Wisdom (WOW) come from Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274): “The time of the Incarnation was most suitable. Had God come to man to redeem us immediately after the first sin was committed, human pride would not have been humbled in consequence of that sin; man would not have realized, through an impressive stretch of time, the greatness of the treasure he had lost. … More WOW – Aquinas on the Incarnation
Urgent Message for a Smartphone Generation
December 27, 2019
Here’s a great and urgent message by Skye Jethani filled with Scriptural wisdom touching on the key themes of the smartphones and the rise of mental illness and suicide rates, the role of fathers in our search for identity, and our proneness toward placing our security and significance in things other than God. … More Urgent Message for a Smartphone Generation
Millennials Not Coming Back?
December 26, 2019
538 viaJesus Creed Millennials have earned a reputation for reshaping industries and institutions — shaking up the workplace, transforming dating culture, and rethinking parenthood. They’ve also had a dramatic impact on American religious life. Four in ten millennials now say they are religiously unaffiliated, according to the Pew Research Center. In fact, millennials (those between the ages of 23 … More Millennials Not Coming Back?
WOW – Augustine on the Incarnation
December 25, 2019
“Man’s maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused of false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.” … More WOW – Augustine on the Incarnation
Sermon: The Greatest Gift
December 25, 2019
Someone has said that the door of the stable where Jesus was born was very low to the ground, so people had to bow down humbly on their hands and knees in order to approach the manger to worship the savior. And did you ever notice that we find the same kind of folks surrounding the manger as we find at the foot of the cross? … More Sermon: The Greatest Gift
The Three Kings (Longfellow)
December 24, 2019
Three Kings came riding from far away, Melchior and Gaspar and Baltasar; Three Wise Men out of the East were they, And they travelled by night and they slept by day, For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful star. The star was so beautiful, large and clear, That all the other stars of the sky … More The Three Kings (Longfellow)
Prince of Peace, Reign Through Us
December 23, 2019
Oh, Prince of Peace, help your people to establish your reign of shalom in our war torn world. Use your Body, the global church, to obliterate the dividing walls of hostility we have erected. … More Prince of Peace, Reign Through Us
A ‘Set Apart’ People in a Partisan Culture
December 21, 2019
To all God’s beloved living in the United States today, Paul would write urging us, like the church in ancient Rome, to be a set-apart people, setting up little beachheads of Christ’s eternal kingdom right here and now in the swamp of partisan politics and idolatrous nationalistic sentiment. … More A ‘Set Apart’ People in a Partisan Culture
Everlasting Father Wounds
December 18, 2019
Those who carry a “father wound” often subconsciously project their pain, anger, or fear onto their Heavenly Father. They may picture God as distant, or disinterested, or capricious or temperamental. Jesus came to show us the true heart of the Father. … More Everlasting Father Wounds
A Christmas Prayer (Isaiah 9:6)
December 18, 2019
Do you struggle to pray? Does your mind drift and wander off? Let’s turn one of the most familiar Scriptures of the Christmas season into a prayer. … More A Christmas Prayer (Isaiah 9:6)
Steeped: Tea Bag Faith
December 17, 2019
These small dry packets contain the raw materials that come alive and reveal their true taste and color when steeped in a hot cup of water. This is an apt metaphor for spiritual formation. … More Steeped: Tea Bag Faith
WOW – Meister Eckhart (1260 – 1328)
December 14, 2019
“How long will grown men and women in this world keep drawing in their coloring books an image of God that makes them sad?” -Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) … More WOW – Meister Eckhart (1260 – 1328)
The Nativity: “It’s All Upside Down!”
December 13, 2019
“It’s all upside down!” was the perfect remark by a 14-year old after our youth group gathered in my cozy study to discuss the story of Christmas. … More The Nativity: “It’s All Upside Down!”
Americans Consume 11 Hours of Media Daily
December 12, 2019
The average church-goer hears 12 hours of sermons ALL YEAR. Now, who’s discipling who? … More Americans Consume 11 Hours of Media Daily
WOW – Peter Kreeft
December 11, 2019
“Don’t be more serious than God. God invented dog farts. God designed your body’s plumbing system. God designed an ostrich. If He didn’t do it, He permitted a drunken angel to do it. Empirical facts can add significantly to the meaning of “being godlike”.” … More WOW – Peter Kreeft
Christ Our Champion (Mike Fox)
December 11, 2019
Sometimes we need the advice of a wise and trusted counselor, sometimes the comforting arms of a loving father, sometimes the stability from a benevolent leader and sometimes we need the protection of a strong champion. This week we will look at the title “Mighty God”. … More Christ Our Champion (Mike Fox)
New Ebook Celebrates MainStreet Impact
December 10, 2019
Is MainStreet a worthy investment?
Almost a decade into the MainStreet journey, we have story after story of lives impacted through this ministry. The best way we can thank everyone for their support and celebrate God’s grace among us is to share these stories. … More New Ebook Celebrates MainStreet Impact
Amanda’s Story
December 9, 2019
MainStreet is a church is worth investing in because they are meeting people where they are and helping them move forward with Christ. MainStreet is small, but they are mighty, and I am just one story. Without MainStreet my story would have been very different. … More Amanda’s Story
Wise Counsel from Old Letters
December 5, 2019
We’re highlighting the ‘Wonderful Counselor’ attribute of God this week, and acknowledging our need for other wise counselors in our lives. Can’t afford a therapist? Don’t have time to schedule a session? Then seek wisdom in old letters and books, for instance, the spiritual letters of Fenelon (1651-1715) found online for free here. Who’s your favorite … More Wise Counsel from Old Letters
Selfie Spirituality
December 3, 2019
We are focusing on Christ as Wonderful Counselor this week. God’s plan for passing on his wisdom and guidance to others was to give His Spirit of Wisdom and insight to people who in turn share this wisdom with others. Who are the wise guides you turn to daily for insight and truth to live … More Selfie Spirituality
Junk Drawer Spirituality (Huddle Qs)
December 2, 2019
We shove all these disappointments and confusions into a spiritual junk drawer – we don’t know where else to put them. We tell ourselves, “I’ll deal with it later.” … More Junk Drawer Spirituality (Huddle Qs)
Why ‘God-with-Us’ Seems Far Away
December 1, 2019
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” Andy Williams sings in the background while we scrap and scramble about, trying to hold ourselves together and not lose our minds in all the wonderful-ness. While many are weighed down by the external busyness of the season, I want to speak to those of us who … More Why ‘God-with-Us’ Seems Far Away
Journeys Through Bookland
November 30, 2019
As a father, I have wanted to surround my kids not just with books, but the allure of a library that beckons them to a grand adventure. When my kids walk into my study, I want them to feel like the Pevensy children walking into the Professor’s study in The Chronicles of Narnia. … More Journeys Through Bookland
Thankful for my teacher, Scot McKnight!
November 29, 2019
Giving thanks today for my teacher, Scot McKnight, whom I have the privilege of doing my doctoral studies with at Northern Seminary. Scot embodies Christ-centered wisdom, humility, ferocious curiosity and rugged commitment to letting the ancient Scriptures speak for themselves. … More Thankful for my teacher, Scot McKnight!
