There are moments in our Christian walk when we hear the rooster crow, and realize we have blown it in our attempts to follow Jesus’ Way in our interactions with others. Today I heard the rooster crow. I looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw. The scary thing is how “right” I … More Grace in a Hottub
Brennan Manning has died and gone home to his Abba at last. Thank you Brennan for your life of painting pictures of God’s relentless love and scandalous grace toward all of us ragamuffins. I had the opportunity to hear Brennan speak several times in person. It was always refreshing to see someone older than me … More Thank You Brennan
Here’s a glimpse of our wonderful celebration of our first Easter in our new building!
“To candid, reasonable men I am not afraid to lay open what have been the inmost thoughts of my heart. I have thought: I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God and returning to God; just hovering over the great … More QUOTABLES: Wesley on God’s Book!
This excerpt from Tozer made my heart burn as I read it today. Lord, may MainStreet become a church that makes disciples such as these! -JB “Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for … More QUOTABLES: Tozer on Bold Leadership
Praise God! I ordered more chairs today… Thanks to all our faithful supporters!
Like many people, I have been tuning into the History Channel on Sunday nights for The Bible Miniseries. The first two parts have brought us up to the time of Solomon. While I have enjoyed this rather faithful telling, I have also been reminded of just how violent and barbarous the OT can be, and … More The Violence of God in the OT
“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So I won’t try to describe the product of the past seven years of ministry, prayer, obedience to God, relentlessly chasing after a God-given vision and holding fast to a dream for … More Grand Opening Update: “The LORD has done this…”
This is a powerful indictment on the contemporary church and our superficial level of commitment to the cause of being part of community-on-mission to reach our world. I’m praying that true communitas — a deeper togetherness formed around a shared mission or struggle — will characterized MainStreet in the days to come. Here’s Paul De Neui’s conclusion … More Communitas in the Church
“There is a story by Kukrit Pramoj, former prime minister and leading Buddhist scholar from Thailand, based on the New Testament account of a man born blind whom he called Simon. The story describes the difficult life of blind young Simon and how, upon the death of his father, life became desperate. Simon began to … More Living into the Missio Dei (by Paul DeNeui)
Read many more MS Stories here.
“What must our Lord think of us if His work and His witness depend upon the convenience of His people? The truth is that every advance that we make for God and for His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it! … More QUOTABLES: A.W. Tozer on Leadership
Repost from 2009. -JB I just watched “Stranger Than Fiction” again starring Will Ferrell. I thought the movie and story was alright – nothing too special. But I absolutely LOVE the idea that drives this movie. If you haven’t seen the movie, here is the summary from the back of the case: Will Ferrell stars … More MOVIE REVIEW: “Stranger Than Fiction” (2006)
I’m preparing a message on the stoning of Stephen this Sunday. Here’s something to ponder from William Willimon in his commentary on Acts: Stanley Hauerwas has written about the mass suicide at “Jonestown” when hundreds of followers of Jim Jones and his “People’s Temple” took their lives and the lives of their children (p. 106). … More A Faith Worth Living & Dying For?
Let the Lord judge the peoples.Vindicate me, Lord, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts. My shield is God MostHigh, who saves the upright in heart. God is a righteous judge…. (Psalm 7) This is one prayer of David … More PSALM 7 – When Not to Pray Like David
The annual call for exercise has been issued. The new year sales flyers feature equipment of all kinds that will reduce our middle and tone our muscles. The “Y”, Snap Fitness and other workout businesses are offering their “first month free” deals. News shows are featuring the latest home workout gadgets and dietitians galore are … More Obese in Body, Mind and Spirit (by David Brown)
What adjectives do many associate with the word ‘church’ or ‘faith’? Solemn, holy, boring, stained glass, choir, pew, robe, potluck, etc. Reading (and trying to preach) through the Book of Acts paints a far more exciting scene. Just skimming through the first 4 chapters we read the following adjectives and phrases that paint anything but … More Wonder and Amazement in Acts
Blessed is the one….whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law morning and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1) Happy New Year. I’m a wreck! Never have I began a new … More Planted by the Stream (Psalm 1)
A repost from a few years back in remembrance of Michael Clark Duncan’s passing this year. -JB It’s already been 10 years since the release of The Green Mile (1999). The Stephen King film stars Tom Hanks as a Death row guard and the massively large and mysteriously gifted prisoner named John Coffey played by Michael … More MOVIE REVIEW: Jesus Went “The Green Mile”
The gentleman who drew this is Joe Castillo. He went to Asbury Theological Seminary.He did this during a chapel service. It was fascinating – he told the Gospel story – each part of Jesus’ life – and he was drawing the story as he told it.The longer you look at this picture, the more you … More ‘Facing’ the Christmas Story
From Michael Patton at Parchment and Pen: “The traditional date for the birth of Christ from as early as Hippolytus (ca. A.D. 165-235) has been December 25th. In the Eastern Church January 6th was the date for not only Christ’s birth, but also the arrival of the Magi on Christ’s second birthday, His baptism in … More When is Jesus’ Birthday?
Kingdom Harbor 