My oldest son turns 3 today! When he was born I shared a series of reflections on the significance of his name, Peter. I’m reposting this one in honor of his birthday and as my continued prayer for Peter who at age 3 already has the strong personality of Simon Peter shining through. Happy Birthday Peter! … More Happy 3rd Birthday Peter Bjorn
Whether we like it or not, our clothes make a statement. Uniforms identify us with a particular team, business, or school. Our attire often pigeonholes us by profession. The white-collar, blue-collar distinction is still readily acknowledged. More superficially, in school brand name shoppers are given more respect, while secondhand thrift shoppers are seen as “not … More Dirty Laundry 5: Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Never Gone I’m in bad shape, So I want to escape. There’s so much stress. I feel depressed. I’ve tried sleeping, But I feel the stress creeping. I’ve tried drinking. What was I thinking? God, I wish I wouldn’t avoid. Only You can make me feel overjoyed. Help me to face what’s going on And … More Never Gone (by Danny Evans)
For some, the entire idea of clothing one’s self with an alter ego, taking on a new persona empowered to accomplish awesome things, sounds like mere fantasy. It sounds just like our favorite comic book superheroes. Clark Kent goes into a phone booth and, seconds later, comes out Superman. Diana spins around in circles to … More Dirty Laundry 4: Superheroes & Phone Booths
Reposted from April 2011 and worth repeating…daily. -JB I often get asked, “How is the church plant doing? Are you succeeding?” That moment you must decide which measuring rod you’re going to use for gauging progress or failure. I decided years ago that success in the Christian walk is measured by our FAITHFULNESS and not any sort … More How God Measures Success: Effectiveness or Faithfulness?
Wow. Talk about coincidence! I just shared a post reflecting on my journey as a young pastor and the significance of the year 33 for me. I picked up the latest Christianity Today issue and the cover story(!) is titled 33 Under 33. The subtitle reads, “Thought that Millennials are leaving the faith? They’re actually leading it.” The article … More 33 Under 33 at Christianity Today
Everyday we get up and put on new clothes. Yesterday’s apparel is dirty, wrinkled and smelly from yesterday’s work. Today is a new day, and should begin with clean, fresh smelling clothes. Yesterday’s attire may be spotted with embarrassing coffee or ketchup stains. Old pants get holes in awkward places. Dress shirts get “ring around … More Dirty Laundry 3: New Clothes for a New Day
Have you seen this recent piece of art making the rounds? It’s called “One Nation Under God.” As you can see, Jesus is front and center holding the U.S. Constitution which, according to this artist, was “inspired by God.” Greg Boyd took this artist’s message to task on his blog, saying among other things: “Artistically … More Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers
You and some friends have escaped to a secluded lake in the country for some night swimming. To add to the excitement, you dare each other to take off your suits for a skinny-dipping rush. Just after you set your suits on the swimming dock and have swam out some fifty yards from shore a … More Dirty Laundry 2: Naked & Ashamed
Socrates famously said,”The unexamined life is not worth living.” Another year has passed. I am halfway through my 30s and halfway to 70. Ugh. I hope to follow Socrates’ advice each year by pausing to offer a birthday reflection — to capture the moment, to look back on later, for my kids to read someday, for my … More Birthday Reflection – 35 Years
Reposted from summer 2013. -JB [The church]…is [Christ’s] body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:23). “God’s plan for the world is in the hands of the church….God’s intention is that all alien forces, all estranged persons, all warring elements are to be brought to unity. Christ is the center around … More The Greatest Cause on Earth
“We do not want to be found naked, but clothed; so that what is mortal will be transformed by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4 “Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.” Colossians 3:10 … More Dirty Laundry 1: Introduction
We should never be ashamed of our past, for those memories will be surpassed. We all make mistakes, but put on the brakes before you call yourself a snake. Whatever has happened, we will learn from. Every lesson plays a part adding up to a sum. So, take that next step to prep for the … More Contrast (by Danny Evans)
As my 35th birthday approaches, I’m looking back through some old journal entries. In my mid-twenties I had one big aspiration for my life: to put my knowledge to good use by becoming a teacher/college professor. The problem was I had no clue how to teach, and learning and teaching are too very different things. I … More Like a Unicorn at a Balloon Popping Party (or The Joy of Teaching)
I recently was invited to attend another church’s leadership council meeting to present the needs of MainStreet as we move into the next phase of launching this new church. These dear “mission friends” have embraced our little MainStreet team with a big bear hug, reaching into their pockets to support us, letting us use their … More God’s Economy: Give Him What You Have (Mk 6:35-44)
I posted this blog years ago while sub teaching in a class at MWHS called “Advanced Game Programming.” Geeks, nerds, and PC gaming addicts all register for this semester class where they can learn how to make a creative contribution to the wide world of network gaming. With this new global community, or network, of … More Kingdom Metaphors 3: The Network of God
“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
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
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
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)
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)
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!
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
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)
Kingdom Harbor 