Tag: Bible

Planet of the Apes & Politicians

January 22, 2026

I’m not prophesying the imminent downfall of the political establishment or the nation as a whole. I am offering a timeless warning that reckless, animal-like behavior and a lack of “humanity” in places of power and influence can set in motion a slow downward spiral into self-destructive chaos—personal and societal. Exchanging “the mind of a man for the mind of an animal” is, after all, Paul’s diagnosis of sin-infected humanity in his great letter to the Christians in the capital city of Rome. Where does this lead? Read on. … More Planet of the Apes & Politicians

Drinking the Kool-Aid

January 21, 2026

I reject dismissively labeling a fellow Christian as “woke” or “brainwashed by mainstream media” or a “lefty” just because they may critique the Right or fall left of center on certain issues. Why? Because many like me have come to hold their views by virtue of being a faithful Bible-believing, Evangelical Protestant upholding the conservative value of standing on the ancient text and testing (and often changing!) one’s views in light of the teachings of Jesus. … More Drinking the Kool-Aid

A Timely Word

January 20, 2026

My wife and I moved to the Twin Cities 20 years ago. It’s the place where we’ve lived the longest, where we’ve raised our kids, where I have taught theology and pastored churches and grown rich in friendships. People sometimes ask me: Do you ever want to move back to Texas? Get out of that Minnesota weather? I always answer the same way (with no offense to my Texas roots). … More A Timely Word

This Is Why We Pray

January 14, 2026

A trusted ministry partner of the Northwest Conference and MainStreet Covenant, Transform MN, has put words to this moment in which we find ourselves in the following essay, “This is Why We Pray.” Mission Friends, let’s seek the Lord together in our time of need … urgently, fervently, continuously, desperately. … More This Is Why We Pray

Paul’s Handkerchief

January 13, 2026

My faith was tested a couple years ago sitting in the ICU as our son battled for his life. I leaned friends and family who showed up with visits, cards, meals, and words of love. But I’ll be honest: words alone felt impotent. Even Scripture rarely penetrated my soul. What did minister to me powerfully was Apostle Paul’s handkerchief. Let me explain! … More Paul’s Handkerchief

No More Mr. ICE Guy

January 7, 2026

Nothing can provoke anger quicker than mercy, when it’s directed to the wrong kind of people.

Marking the church’s Year of Jubilee, Pope Leo XIV invoked biblical language calling for kindness to migrants as human beings made in the image of God. There’s nothing the least bit controversial about this. It’s what the Bible says, what Christians have always believed, what official Catholic teaching makes explicit. Some people didn’t like this. … More No More Mr. ICE Guy

Beware of ICEy Conditions

December 18, 2025

I’m a pastor in a multiethnic denomination of immigrants, where my brothers and sisters are being terrorized by ICE raids and growing hostility and fear caused by this administration’s rhetoric and tactics. Our immigrant churches are half empty on Sundays, as families are afraid to leave their homes. No presents are under the tree, and cupboards are growing bare as they are afraid to go shopping. … More Beware of ICEy Conditions

Blessed Are The Speechless

December 15, 2025

We are only reading half the story if we focus only on the speechlessness of Zechariah. Before long the mute becomes a minstrel, the silenced one a songbird, the castigated becomes a crooner for Christ. From that day forward, Mercy and Joy are the theme of Mr. and Mrs. Zechariah’s song. Blessed are those who have been mesmerized by God’s mercy, silenced by salvation, flabbergasted by forgiveness, and enraptured by God’s rescue. … More Blessed Are The Speechless

Blessed Are the Fed Up

December 9, 2025

The fourth Beatitude of Bethlehem announces that God’s favor rests upon those who wake up each morning with the smell of a more just society wafting through the air, and whose heart’s growl from an inconsolable hunger for God’s Kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” They carry with them secret recipes and samples on a toothpick of the delicious promises God will serve up when His Kingdom comes in full.  … More Blessed Are the Fed Up

Blessed Are The Emotional Wrecks

December 2, 2025

I don’t remember what I preached that Sunday, but I do remember standing in front, holding back tears and weighed down by grief. My message invited us to de-sanitize the Christmas story, strip away all the sentimentality and remember that Advent is the good news that Jesus stepped down into our darkness in order to take the suffering and grief of countless heartbroken parents onto Himself, and to bring comfort to those who mourn … More Blessed Are The Emotional Wrecks

If I Stand

November 20, 2025

This has been my “life song” since college, since I gave my life to Jesus. It’s the song I have told Keri to have played at my funeral someday. It’s by Rich Mullins, a fellow ragamuffin for Jesus. Still, I’ve never really stopped to ponder the lyrics and why this song speaks to my heart. … More If I Stand

Prepare the Way (Advent 2025)

November 14, 2025

This year we’re going to honor the real mood and message of Advent, which is a starker season of preparation for the different comings of God — first, in the events of Jesus’ birth and, second, at the Final Judgment. Advent is for waiting and longing and repenting in anticipation for invasion of Light into our darkness. We will be sitting in a classic Advent text from Isaiah 40:3-5. … More Prepare the Way (Advent 2025)

Courageous Righteousness

October 22, 2025

This week, ask yourself: Where is God calling me to pursue righteousness, even if it costs me approval? How can I stand up for the vulnerable, the unseen, the hurting – regardless of what others think? Who in my life needs to be encouraged to pursue this same courage? Following Jesus will never make us universally popular. But He promises the kingdom to those who endure for His sake. … More Courageous Righteousness

What’s in a Name?

October 3, 2025

Mike Glenn discusses the ongoing debate within the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the role of women as pastors, criticizing the fixation on church titles. He argues that such disputes detract from the church’s real mission: engaging with the community as missionaries. In contemporary society, he emphasizes the importance of being proactive in spreading faith rather than worrying about titles. … More What’s in a Name?

Making Betty Smile

September 26, 2025

A rabbi learns from Elijah that two jesters who make others smile are assured of the world to come. Jeremy shares how bringing music to senior homes uplifts spirits, especially for those like Betty, who is in hospice. Support is needed to continue this meaningful outreach ministry. … More Making Betty Smile

Righteous Hunger

September 24, 2025

Politics often awakens a hunger to win: To argue. To feel superior. To prove them wrong. But Jesus invites us into something deeper: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” That kind of hunger doesn’t ignore injustice. Rather, it fights for what is good and true. But it fights with humility, not hostility. It seeks restoration, not revenge. It builds up, rather than tears down. … More Righteous Hunger

Mary Magdalen & Showing Up After Violence

September 12, 2025

This is a powerful sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber for this moment, originally shared in the wake of a mass shooting years ago. As a woman preacher, I can’t help but love St Mary Magdalen. When I first discerned my call to be a preacher I got a tattoo of her on my forearm. I felt that when I needed to, I could borrow her strength. … More Mary Magdalen & Showing Up After Violence

Do we Mourn … or Just Rage?

September 10, 2025

It’s easy to look at the brokenness in our nation and just feel angry. Angry at “those people,” angry at leaders, angry at the way things are. We live in a culture addicted to outrage. Outrage mobilizes. It raises money. It fills cable news time slots.

But Jesus doesn’t say “Blessed are those who rage.” He says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” … More Do we Mourn … or Just Rage?

Feeling Weary? You’re Not Alone.

September 3, 2025

The kids are back in school! Now a strange silence fills the house after our three kids all get on the same bus this year at 7:30. In this stillness, my contemplative soul can breathe again and find space conducive to creative pursuits. But in the stillness and quiet, many of us can also feel and hear the deep sigh of weariness that broods just beneath the surface. … More Feeling Weary? You’re Not Alone.