Some all-American music for this Fourth of July weekend. One thing Americans can still be proud of in these not-so-great times is all the great music that this country has given to the world. PS: Peter enjoys going shirtless in the summers…especially on lazy Saturdays. :) … More #SaturdaySong – “All Shook Up”
An American song on this holiday weekend. … More “America” (Simon & Garfunkel)
Greg Speck is hilarious. He’s also anointed to bring the message of God’s amazing grace and undying love to squirrelly middle schoolers and too-cool high schoolers. At the end of every event, he invited everyone to send him a friend request on Facebook. Once you become “friends,” you are on Greg’s list. And once you are on it, you cannot get off of it, but why would you want to? I am on Greg’s list. … More Are You On Greg’s List?
This episode of the Anchor Podcast comes to you from the Pepin Forest Tree House where I am spending a night away for my birthday. In this episode, I share a bit about ministering to my uncle in hospice, recommend a great Tom Petty song, and then pick up part 3 of the story of my call to ministry in my hometown 20 years ago. Enjoy! … More Podcast #208 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 3
My uncle Gary is nearing the end of his earthly pilgrimage. Hospital rooms and end of life ministry are what the Irish call “thin places” where our earthly realm often bumps up against the heavenly realm. Today, Gary shared something very special. “Last night Mom came to me in my sleep to say hello.” Mom (aka my grandma) is in Heaven, so tears welt up in all of our eyes. … More Uncle Gary’s Southern Accent
Happy Saturday! Here’s a classic Alan Jackson song, one of the “newer” songs in my classic country show that takes us on a trip through the 20th century, going back as far as the 1870s and spending most time in the 1960s and 70s. Wink, wink. ;) … More #SaturdaySong – “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”
I was mowing on my lawn tractor the other day, weaving in and out around trees at dusk. The darker the sky grew, the more blurry the trees became—appearing as dark figures standing guard over our yard by night. My mind was drawn to a strange episode in the Gospels. … More Like Trees Walking
I’m still struggling to explain my pastoral life to others these days, and still feel insecure or guilty some days that I’m not slaving away 50 or 60 hours inside a church building all week, running programs and leading teams, etc. I’m more of a freewheelin’ pastor bringing the music of the Freewheelin’ Dylan to seniors these days. But I sneak in a sermon or two in the process. … More The Freewheelin’ Pastor
This episode continues the origin story of my call to ministry in my hometown as I mark 20 years. I share about my jobs as a sub teacher and driving instructor, and how God used these odd jobs to set the stage for a “revolutionary” teen ministry I helped spearhead in 2005. … More Podcast #207 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 2
This is one of my favorite and very early Johnny Cash songs, first recorded in 1958. Look for the version of Johnny singing this with Bob Dylan around 1969. … More #SaturdaySong – “I Still Miss Someone”
To celebrate 20 years of hometown ministry, I’m thinking about sharing excerpts from an unfinished “memoir” written back in 2010 detailing my call to ministry in my hometown. Enjoy a glimpse into the mind of a young leader desiring not only to read the Bible as a casual observer, but hoping to be swept up in the Story its telling. … More Podcast #206 – Hometown Apostle Pt. 1
I want to share some reflections on 20 years of ministry in my hometown. I have told the story of launching the Revolution teen ministry in Mound many times, but I have never mentioned the book that I led teenagers through that laid a foundation for that ministry and lit a spark for the brand of Jesus-shaped Christianity I have pursued and taught over the past 20 years. … More 20 Years: The Irresistible Revolution
Jemar Tisby helps us understand the origins and meaning of the federal holiday of Juneteenth, established in 2021. On June 19th, 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, Major General Gordon Granger, proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas in a statement in Galveston. … More Freedom Day
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
I have been thinking about anointing lately. This ancient biblical practice is foreign to us today. When was the last time someone poured oil over your head and down your beard? Probably never. This past weekend our family had the chance to anoint my uncle in the hospital who is dying. … More Like Oil Poured on the Head
This episode I share a busy week of music ministry and the stories behind the class country show Abby and I are performing this summer. Listen below and check out the highlight reel of Abby’s songs in the set. She’s fearless and “going for it” – so proud of her! … More Podcast #205 – “Precious Memories & Country Music”
This summer marks my 20th year in full time ministry, graduating from Bethel Seminary on this day in 2005. I will probably be marking 20 years with some fresh reflections this summer on 20 years in ministry, and most of those 20 years of ministry in my hometown. For today, I wanted to share what … More 20 Years Out of Seminary
“This show is very personal,” I said stepping onto stage wearing a black cowboy shirt with white cowboy hat. “We’re going on a 75 minute journey through the country hits of the 20th century, but more personally, a trip into my childhood memories.” This summer I’m playing the soundtrack of my childhood – literally – with the help of my little cowgirl, Abby. … More Precious Memories
Willie Nelson may be my favorite country singer of all time. His nasally pitch is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love his unconventional timing and phrasing, and his songwriting is as legendary as his unique fingering on his Martin classical guitar, “Trigger.” This song is a bit of a tearjerker full of regret, just as Willie will confess many of his broken relationships are as well. … More #SaturdaySong – “Always On My Mind”
On The Joe Rogan Experience last week, songwriter Bono laid out for Rogan the very human results of the Trump administration’s drastic spending cuts that will put an end to one government program that has actually worked: that of saving people in Africa from dying with AIDS. Rogan seemed convinced—even concerned. … More 1.6 Million Deaths
Summer vacation is here. Surrounded by chickens, cats, and a neighbor mulching brush, Jeremy shares a nature reflection from his forthcoming book, “Jesus Walks.” Are we drifting aimlessly on the tides of culture and blown by the winds of our whims? Jeremy finds spiritual truth in a piece of driftwood on the beach. … More Podcast #204 – Driftwood
This nature reflection discusses the dangers of living a life of spiritual drift, likening it to driftwood tossed by waves. It emphasizes the importance of having purpose and direction in life through faith in Christ and the Church. The analogy highlights community strength versus individual aimlessness in navigating life’s challenges. … More Driftwood
Happy Saturday! Dipping back into my Dylan set this week, here’s a great Bob Dylan song from his 1975 Blood on the Tracks album. He was living on his farm on the Crow River in Hanover, Minnesota, when he was writing this masterpiece of an album. I drive by that farm whenever I am in the area, and imagine him writing songs like this one staring out the window at the river. … More #SaturdaySong – “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome”
The election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, and getting to hear the pope speak into our politically idolatrous Christian landscape in plain English, is going to be revealing. I dare say “apocalyptic” in the literal sense of deeply revealing. He’s not going to line up on Team Blue or Team Red. He will speak for Team Jesus, and be labelled Woke for following the historic social teachings of the Catholic church. … More A Woke Pope?
In this episode, I share a springtime reflection on two gardens in Scripture, each with people falling asleep in them. We need to learn a lesson from both if we are to be faithful gardeners of God’s New Creation today. I also share about our family weekend at the lake and Sunday night 1-on-1 basketball with my 13-year old. … More Podcast #203 – Sleepy Gardeners
Jeremy L. Berg 