QUOTABLES: Martin Luther on Mocking the Devil
June 22, 2014
“The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn.” -Martin Luther
Kingdom Metaphors 2: The Dream of God
June 21, 2014
In his book The Secret Message of Jesus Brian McLaren offers several metaphors to help get our minds around the meaning of “The Kingdom of God.” Today’s kingdom metaphor is “The Dream of God.” “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This prayer of Jesus seems to be an … More Kingdom Metaphors 2: The Dream of God
One Chirp at a Time: Flight from Self-Absorption
June 20, 2014
A Daily Illumination classic from 2006. -JB I heard a bird chirping today. I actually stopped for a brief moment and listened. It was a good sound, and a good sign. Sign of what? A sign, I believe, of freedom. Yes, freedom from self-absorption. Our cell-phone society confines our internet identities to the rat mazes … More One Chirp at a Time: Flight from Self-Absorption
Creating a Culture of Generosity (Sheppard & Johnson)
June 16, 2014
5 Steps to Creating a Culture of Generosity Plant and water the seeds—and trust God for the increase. By Jim Sheppard & Patrick Johnson Churches may be taking a hit from the economy, but there is still much that can be done to generate a culture of generosity. Here are five specific field-tested ideas (in … More Creating a Culture of Generosity (Sheppard & Johnson)
Godly Fathers (by Danny Evans)
June 15, 2014
A guest post from my friend Danny Evans on this Father’s Day weekend. We hope to share more of Danny’s poetry in the future at Daily Illumination. Read more about his unique spoken word ministry here. Every young man asks will I be good at that thing known as fatherhood? They have to want to … More Godly Fathers (by Danny Evans)
Fishing Opener Is Here!
June 15, 2014
This post was written on the fishing opener on May 15, 2010. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-17) I came home … More Fishing Opener Is Here!
Kingdom Metaphors 1: The Dance of God
June 13, 2014
Encouragement for Self-Doubting Leaders
June 11, 2014
This piece I wrote several years ago was published in the Youthworker Journal. Hope you find it encouraging. -JB “You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s master stroke, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and … More Encouragement for Self-Doubting Leaders
Yellow Brick Road Syndrome (by Mike Fox)
June 10, 2014
Matt 11:2-3, 15 “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?…He who has ears, let him hear.” I suffer from what I call “The Yellow Brick Road Syndrome”. I want to be Dorothy … More Yellow Brick Road Syndrome (by Mike Fox)
Just Give Me the Flowers
June 10, 2014
Here’s a Daily Illumination spring classic from 2006! Do I look younger? Drip, drip, drip. Tweet, tweet. Can you hear the sounds of spring? What a messy time of year! Mud and slush. Scraping the bottom of your shoe off on the sidewalk or with a stick before coming into the house. Hopping and skipping … More Just Give Me the Flowers
Rethinking Heaven 2: What? When? Where?
June 9, 2014
It is so easy to place God in a box. But again and again we find that God cannot be confined to our little categories. One large way we have managed to push God’s penetrating presence out of our world is by the way we think of and imagine Heaven. I think Heaven can be … More Rethinking Heaven 2: What? When? Where?
Warning: Explosion Hazard
June 8, 2014
I was standing on the dock putting gasoline into the boat the other day. I happened to read the bright yellow warning sticker as I slowly poured the 5-gallons into the tank. The sticker read: WARNING: Leaking fuel is a fire and explosion hazard. Inspect fuel system often. My mind began searching for some Christian … More Warning: Explosion Hazard
Springtime Feasting on the Word
June 6, 2014
Repost from Spring 2010 but I’m in the exact same place personally. -JB “My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times…How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119). It’s perhaps my favorite time of year. I’m sitting in the backyard, listening to the lively noises … More Springtime Feasting on the Word
QUOTABLES: Teens, Dads & Gaming
June 5, 2014
“Boys get an alarmingly low average of one half-hour of direct face time with their dads per week, but over 40 hours of screen time (Internet, TV, and gaming total).” – From Fuller Youth Institute article entitled “Guys and Gaming“ by Brad Griffin
Rethinking Heaven 1: Out of the Platonic Fog
June 4, 2014
WHY ‘GOING TO HEAVEN’ IS NOT THE ULTIMATE CHRISTIAN HOPE. What happens when a loved one dies? Their body is laid to rest while their eternal soul goes to be with the Lord. This is true, but not the end of the story. It seems that for many this is the natural process: Our physical … More Rethinking Heaven 1: Out of the Platonic Fog
The Spiritual Legacy of the City of Mound
June 3, 2014
Reposted from July 2012. -JB This July the City of Mound celebrates her centennial. It’s a time to look back and remember the people and places that have shaped our shared history. As a pastor called to start a church in Mound where I grew up, I’ve been fascinated by the beginnings of other local … More The Spiritual Legacy of the City of Mound
Hi Readers! I’m Back.
June 1, 2014
Hello friends and blogosphere! I’m back and with a completely revamped website! Have a look around. It seems like a lifetime ago that I was actively engaged in writing and interacting with the greater blogosphere. Indeed, it was a different life. So much has changed. I have not actively blogged for about 3 years. Since … More Hi Readers! I’m Back.
Under the Oak
June 1, 2014
A couple weeks ago my sermon got pretty personal. I shared honestly about my feeling distant from God, a bit “cold” in my faith, and in need of rekindling. I shared how I retreated from my routine to a sacred place in my life — an old oak tree back in the woods at Bethel … More Under the Oak
Student Driver: On the Road to Discipleship
May 31, 2014
Remember Drivers Ed class? Remember Behind-the-Wheel? In the “Student Driver” series, Jeremy shares some of the profound similarities between learning to drive and the road to discipleship. Jeremy writes from the unique vantage point of both a certified Driving Instructor and a pastor. This excerpt is called “Fatal Distractions.” Buckle up!
Golf & God: Spiritual Links to Life with God
May 31, 2014
Tee off on the course of life and let the game of Golf guide you closer in your walk with God. In the “Golf & God” series Jeremy teaches you how to keep your faith on the fairways, avoid living out of bounds, make the most of life’s sand traps, stay out of the water, … More Golf & God: Spiritual Links to Life with God
Moses & the 40-Year Band Rehearsal
May 31, 2014
One divine melody permeates the grand narrative of redemptive history. In The Father’s Song series, Jeremy guides us through the biblical narrative–from Genesis to Revelation–with “ears to hear” the penetrating God-beat keeping everything in sync. This excerpt is called describes the 40-year stubbornness of Moses and Israel in the desert. I spent several years substitute … More Moses & the 40-Year Band Rehearsal
SUMMER SERIES: Cabin with Jesus
May 30, 2014
Cabin fever anyone? Wanna get away from it all this summer? Imagine the phone rings and it’s Jesus himself saying, “Are you tired? Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Matt 11 MSG). Who would refuse such an offer? Well, the offer is there! … More SUMMER SERIES: Cabin with Jesus
Charter Sunday Highlights
April 8, 2014
MainStreet Covenant Church – Charter Sunday
March 31, 2014
We celebrated a milestone March 30 – Charter Sunday. We will be officially received into the Evangelical Covenant Church later this spring/summer. What a ride! Thanks to all our supporters who have invested in this dream that is now a reality and impacting lives.
QUOTABLES: Carwash or Autoshop?
March 18, 2014
“Many go to church looking for a spiritual carwash to give our exterior life a little shine for the next 7 days. And, sadly, many churches are all too happy to provide just that. But what we really need is a spiritual repair shop where we can open the hood, take an honest look at … More QUOTABLES: Carwash or Autoshop?
Kingdom Harbor 