Let’s talk about hobbits and dwarves, wine barrels and baptism today, asking Paul’s question: “Into what were you baptized?” Like the Bilbo and the dwarves held captive by the Wood-elves, we need to be dunked into the barrel of baptism to rescue us from the bonds of the World, the Flesh and the Devil. … More Barrels Out of Bonds
You are more than “a teetering, fallible contraption, always needing watching and patching, always on the verge of flapping to pieces.” … More A Teetering Contraption? (George Will)
Spiders and snakes are not very cute or cuddly and, for most of us, they have a high “ick” factor. But they likely are NOT what keep you awake at night. So, what are you REALLY afraid of? … More “Do Not Be Afraid” (Mike Fox)
If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. … More C. S. Lewis, Coronavirus and the Atomic Bomb
Start talking about a pandemic and you’ll see the true color and substance of people’s faith. … More Jiffy Lube, Coronavirus & the Spread of Christianity
“Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.” -RICK WARREN
“Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest … More Do Millennials Think Evangelism is Wrong?
This Thursday we will gather in our home for our first HouseChurch gathering of the spring. We will share a meal, fellowship, hear the apostles’ teachings, celebrate the eucharist and pray for Thy Kingdom to come on earth as it is in Heaven. The shades will be up and our doors will be unlocked and … More Locked Doors, Deflated Hearts
“The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.” -Ghandi “Have a safe trip!” we say as they drive out of the driveway. “Safe travels!” we say as we drop them off at the airport. “HAVE A SAFE SUMMER,” the school sign reads as kids leave for summer break. Such commonplace … More Don’t Let Fear Win
Christianity Today (September ’16) featured the findings of a LifeWay Research survey that asked 2,000 people who do NOT attend church what would draw them to one. The results were revealing: Skye Jethani, on the Phil Vischer Podcast, insightfully asked the following question while discussing this survey: What does it say about our deepest concerns and highest … More A Non-Anxious Presence in an Anxious World
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
This is a repost from a few years back. -JB Chap Clark has written a must-read book for all youth workers and those who want to understand the current world of today’s teenagers. Listen to these honest words of a (typical) high school student in Hurt: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers: “I’ve always been … More Masks & Belonging: Deeper than Nude Beaches & Palm Branches
“Worldwide cases of swine flu climbed to 236 on Thursday, a day after global health authorities warned that swine flu was threatening to bloom into a pandemic and notched up their alert system to the second highest level” (MSNBC.com). The outbreak is the top story on every news channel, in every newspaper, the topic around … More Swine Flu & Unreached Peoples in Perspective
Kingdom Harbor 