Reposted from 2012. To kick off the new year, we’re exploring one of my favorite “Christ Encounters” in the Gospels — Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Here’s how the clandestine story begins: There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” … More Nic @ Night 2: Religion Isn’t Enough
A repost from 2012. Let’s begin this New Year by getting back to one of the most basic and foundational spiritual truths: New Birth! Let’s spend sometime in the shoes of Nicodemus, a devout, religious man who was still lacking something. Let’s imagine, just for fun, that Nicodemus went to Jesus late on New Year’s … More Nic @ Night 1: Restless New Years Eve
Originally posted on Kingdom Harbor:
This is a repost from a couple years ago. -JB The Christmas story is all too familiar for most Christians today. We’ve seen two dozen pageants, have basically memorized Matthew and Luke’s accounts of wise men, shepherds, overbooked inns and barnyard manger scenes. The problem with familiarity, as Dallas Willard…
Christmas Eve is a great opportunity for churches to share the good news of the gospel with many unbelievers — sometimes hearing it for the first time. Pastors should give a clear invitation to respond in faith to the message of the gospel. I plan to do this. I can’t wait to do this! But there … More Relax Pastor, God Saves!
This Advent at MainStreet Covenant Church we’re unpacking the “7 wisdom gifts” from above found in James 3:17. Following Daniel Henderson’s argument in his book The Prayer God Loves to Answer, we’re exploring a higher wisdom that enables us to find success and health in our relationships. This is contrasted with a worldly wisdom that may get … More Mt. Rushmore of Gospel Virtues
Curt Brown has a nice tribute to one of my spiritual heroes in his Star Tribune column this Sunday. He kindly reached out to me during his research and mentioned my website on the life and legacy of Erik August Skogsbergh. Curt Brown’s tales about Minnesota’s history appear each Sunday. Enjoy! Swedish pastor Erik August Skogsbergh blended … More Star Tribune Column on E.A. Skogsbergh
I received an email from our local pastors association wondering if anyone is canceling Sunday worship due to forecasted snow and below zero temperatures. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter, which I assure you were not shared by all. :) I believe these are teachable moments. When people are considering staying home because … More Too Cold & Snowy for Worship?
“Every good and perfect gift is from above,” James the brother of Jesus writes. This Advent we’re exploring the divine gift of wisdom that God desires to place under our trees, or into our hearts. In James 3:14-16, we see what the counterfeit wisdom of the world looks like and produces. It is characterized by selfish-ambition, jealousy … More Wisdom is Pure (Jas. 3:17)
In the OT we find “Wisdom” personified as a Lady calling out on the street corners, trying to get a hearing in order to lead people onto paths of righteousness. We can heed her warnings and find “the good life”; or we can ignore her and find ourselves on the path to ruin and folly. … … More Jesus: Wisdom From God
Are you seeking that good and perfect gift this Christmas? While the crowds chase after bargain deals at the malls on fitness watches, iPads, and other treasures, we’re inviting our congregation to ask for the gifts that don’t come in boxes under a tree this Christmas. James says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above” … More 7 Good & Perfect Gifts
I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health, that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that … More Prayer of Civil War Soldier
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” -JESUS While MainStreet may not be growing large right now, we are certainly growing young! We average about 60 in worship but have 25 regular kids (ages 0-12) who are growing bigger each day crammed into a small nursery and one classroom! Three … More MainStreet Kids Ministry Campaign
No Longer A Slave (Author Unknown) You unravel me with a melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance from my enemies ‘Til all my fears are gone I’m no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God From my mother’s womb You have chosen me Love has called my name … More Prayer: No Longer a Slave
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