This is a DI Classic post from 2007 when we were spearheading the Revolution youth movement in Mound. This relative short-lived effort ultimately gave me the vision and burden that would several years come to fruition in the planting of MainStreet. But these were lonely, uncertain times of discerning the will of God. -JB “Now … More Who’s Your Titus?
We have settled into our new home. We are hugely blessed by God and excited to share our new home with others. Enjoy some photos and come visit us soon! (Notice the rainbow — God smiled upon us the day we moved in.) :)
FROM ‘WORD STUDIES’ TO ‘THE STUDY OF THE WORD’: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? It is often said that it is impossible to find a needle in a haystack. Yet it also could be said that if, once found, one focuses too narrowly upon the small needle so as not to lose it again, they may … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 4 (Mark 10:45)
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH: MARK’S STRUCTURE AND JESUS’ IDENTITY Joel Marcus has shed considerable light on the OT background to Mark’s gospel, noting especially the Isaianic influences in the words and actions of Jesus. Mark uses strategic Isaianic passages to show the reader that God is finally initiating the new exodus and ushering in … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 3 (Mark 10:45)
We closed on our new house today (8/25/14) and will begin the move later this week. So, we’re wrapping up this series of posts sharing some favorite memories from our house on Cedar Lane. When we bought our cute old house in 2006 we anticipated living here for 4-5 years until we decided to start a family and … More This Old House 5: Our First Nest
Few studies have been more timely and pin-point accurate in it’s findings than the research of Christian Smith in “Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers” concerning the religious beliefs of American teenagers. I would argue that many of these teens have learned their faith from parents with similar Christian convictions and … More American Faith: “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism”
“EITHER-OR” vs. “BOTH-AND”: HARMONIZING OLD TESTAMENT EXPECTATIONS Mark’s narrative paints a Jesus who is intentionally identifying himself with two OT figures—the Danielic Son of Man and the Isaianic Servant of YHWH; and describes his mission as the fulfillment of their drastically different destinies—the glorious triumph of the Son of Man over Israel’s enemy (“the fourth … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 2 (Mark 10:45)
Warning: This is a dry, dusty old seminary term paper…but grappling with some foundational, mind-blowing stuff worth revisiting and sharing. –JB In the introduction to his massive commentary on the second gospel, R.H. Gundry contends that “the Gospel of Mark contains…no riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma…Mark’s meaning lies on the surface. He … More A Puzzling Path to Glory 1 (Mark 10:45)
A repost from a few years back. -JB What if our faith was as real and powerful as the faith of the Apostle Paul, Peter, James and John, Mary and Lydia, Priscilla and Aquilla? What if our experience of church today was as exciting as those in the upper room at Pentecost, as action-packed as … More Cultivating an Apostolic Imagination
Next summer I will be officially ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church (10 years after I graduated from seminary — its about time!). I’m reminded of a poignant lengthy quotation from Eugene Peterson’s The Contemplative Pastor. It’s a good reminder that we are weak and can, like Odysseus, be lured away by the sirens of people pleasing. We need God’s … More QUOTABLES: Lashed to the Mast (Eugene Peterson)
As we prepare to move houses soon we are sharing some memories from our little house on Cedar Lane. -JB Let’s be honest. When it’s December in Minnesota, below zero, the snow is falling and Christmas time is approaching, there’s no where more cozy than a little old farmhouse with a real wood burning fireplace … More This Old House 4: Winter Wonderland
“If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God.” (2 Cor 5:13) Do you make several “foolish” decisions a day? Do people often look at you strangely, shake their head with scorn and just walk away? Do you regularly get accused of being silly, foolish or extremely impractical by those … More The Absurdity-Driven Life
Our house on Cedar Lane will forever be remembered for some of the most significant ministry gatherings and conversations that have impacted the course of our lives. Here’s a few: Sometime in 2006 at a youth concert, I announced the launch of the “Way of the Revolutionary” Bible Study to be held in our living … More This Old House 3: God Bless this Home
How long, O LORD, must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? (Habakkuk 1:2-4) He came closer to the city, and when he saw it, he wept over it, saying, “If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it! (Luke 19:41-42) There … More Cruciform Justice 1: Introduction
We lived here for 5 years before we had kids. Keri had a little bit more time before Peter and Isaak (and our baby church) to play around in her gardens. When I think of our house Cedar, I will always remember Keri in her prime (oh, she’s still in it!) with her blue watering can … More This Old House 2: Gardens, Squirrels & More
Pastor John Piper on the supremacy of God in preaching: Christian preachers, more than all others, should know that people are starving for God. If anyone in all the world should be able to say, “I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory,” it is the herald of God. Who … More John Piper on Preaching
When I meet Christians who are infatuated with their own depravity because it supposedly puts God on display, I often wonder what they do with certain Bible passages. You’ve met them often enough. They have a “Get out of the Way” theology. They appropriately fear self-righteousness and pride in their faith. They rightly want to … More “Get Out of the Way” Theology
We’re preparing to say goodbye to our little old house on Cedar Lane this month. I wanted to share a few favorite memories and highlights from our past 8 years in our little yellow house on the hill. Today, a brief overview of this old house. Keri and I bought this — our first home — in our … More This Old House 1: Intro
When I was a kid, many churches didn’t engage my generation. Most of my friends “went to church” but we didn’t follow Christ. The American church (for the most part) lost touch with how to engage the younger generations. The church needed to change. And it did. We needed to become more relevant in the … More More Bible, Less Fluff (by Craig Groeschel)
I spent a long season of “waiting on God” for a vocation that would both utilize my gifts and impact the Kingdom. Nothing was more thrilling than those moments where God seemed to give me a glimpse of a vision of the kind of life I want to live. I wrote the following on August … More Hangin’ on a Vision
American musician John Mellencamp once said, “I know there’s a balance in life. I see it every time I swing by it.” There is perhaps no more profound realization in the entire Christian experience than grasping the necessary balance and tension between GRACE and TRUTH. Most individuals, churches, denominations, pastors, teachers, and movements tend to choose … More Grace & Truth
Co-dependency is my tendency. I worry what others think. I analyze every move considering if it was a wink or just a blink. Always apologizing even if I didn’t make a mistake is agonizing to take. I rely on the praise of people, but now I worship the One in the steeple. The Holy One … More Redefine Me (by Danny Evans)
“Mountain God” is a series of reflections I shared on a youth adventure trip climbing in the Rocky Mountains in 2009. “It’s not I who has caused trouble in Israel,” said Elijah, “but you and your government—you’ve dumped God’s ways and commands and run off after the local gods, the Baals. Here’s what I want … More Mountain God 6: Facing Idols (1 Kings 18)
Kingdom Harbor 