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
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)
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
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” But in today’s political landscape, it’s so easy for our hearts to become clouded. Anger, partisanship, bitterness, self-righteousness – these things creep in and blur our vision. We can’t resist this on our own. We need His help to keep our hearts pure. … More Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
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
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
From Barna: Today’s teens are navigating a mental health crisis: 39 percent frequently feel uncertain or anxious, 29 percent are regularly lonely and 26 percent often feel isolated. But parents are feeling the strain too. Four in 10 say they’re too stressed to function most days, and many lack the emotional support they need to care for … More Gen Z is Hurting, and Parents Too
Jesus called out predatory religion, disrupted economies of exploitation, named rulers’ threats without flinching, and still refused the sword. Loving our enemies never meant moral equivalence, but refusing to mirror their violence while committing to standing between them and the people they crush. … More The Way of Jesus is Still Narrow
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?
Our church recently completed a 12-week exploration of “The Cruciform Kingdom,” focusing on the essence of Christ-like love, non-violence, and peacemaking. Jesse P. Nickel’s “A Revolutionary Jesus” highlights Jesus’ role as a peacemaker, emphasizing the significance of the cross in understanding his victory over evil through non-violent means. … More The Victory of the Cross
We celebrated the life of my Uncle Gary a couple weeks back. I was privileged to participate in the service, along with my kids and other grand nieces and nephews. Peter and I led us in some hymns, and we performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” (without breaking down, somehow). I shared the sermon and am including the script here for anyone interested. … More Looking for the Living Among the Dead
I want to share some reflections on 20 years of ministry in my hometown. I have told the story of launching the Revolution teen ministry in Mound many times, but I have never mentioned the book that I led teenagers through that laid a foundation for that ministry and lit a spark for the brand of Jesus-shaped Christianity I have pursued and taught over the past 20 years. … More 20 Years: The Irresistible Revolution
This nature reflection discusses the dangers of living a life of spiritual drift, likening it to driftwood tossed by waves. It emphasizes the importance of having purpose and direction in life through faith in Christ and the Church. The analogy highlights community strength versus individual aimlessness in navigating life’s challenges. … More Driftwood
The election of the first American pope, Leo XIV, and getting to hear the pope speak into our politically idolatrous Christian landscape in plain English, is going to be revealing. I dare say “apocalyptic” in the literal sense of deeply revealing. He’s not going to line up on Team Blue or Team Red. He will speak for Team Jesus, and be labelled Woke for following the historic social teachings of the Catholic church. … More A Woke Pope?
This sober undressing of some of the hidden realities behind our nation may offend, and if it rattles our bones to see this earthly nation critiqued by the Bible, that might indicate we have made it an idol. Revelation is an ‘apocalypse,’ and that word means to pull back the curtain on the uglier realities that prefer to stay hidden behind the shiny surface. Revelation is an invitation to political resistance, not End Times speculation. … More Babylon in America
Revelation is not a key to unlock some future prophecy timeline; it’s a key to understanding our current times, unmasking true allegiances and calling Christians to follow the Way of the Lamb while resisting the ways of Babylon. Today, my teacher, Scot McKnight, posted chapter 5 of his timely book, “Revelation for the Rest of Us”, on his Substack. Read. If. You. Dare. … More Unmasking Babylon
I didn’t like the song at all. It seemed hokey. It seemed non-sensical. And it didn’t help that it was being sung off key and off tempo by a small congregation of primarily 75 year old church ladies. Not to mention being led by someone who sort of resembled Dana Carvey’s SNL character “Church Lady.” Today I repent of my snobbery and spiritual immaturity. I now believe in singing trees. … More Singing Trees & Crying Rocks
A friend seeks advice on how to navigate a relationship with someone whose politics deeply alarm them. His answer warns against falling into two different (opposite) “ditches” – the ditch of fusion with erroneous political ideas and the ditch of “cutting off” relationship with people you have deep disagreements with. … More Response to a Friend’s Political Question
King David is called “a man after God’s own heart” because in his best moments he prefigures the ultimate King of Israel and most famous Son of David to come — Jesus the Christ. One of those great moments is the story of David and Mephibosheth. Briefly appearing in 2 Samuel 9, Mephibosheth is the … More David, Mephibosheth, and Elon Musk’s DOGE
The story of Uzzah in 2 Samuel 6 illustrates the grave responsibility of carrying God’s presence. Although Uzzah acted with good intent, he disregarded divine instructions, resulting in his death. This serves as a warning for Christians today to treat God’s name with reverence, avoiding unholy alliances that damage His reputation. … More Holy Priests or Unstable Jackass?
Beth Felker Jones discusses the challenge Christians face in the U.S. amidst current political turmoil. It paraphrases the Barmen Declaration to emphasize the need for the church to uphold its identity in Christ against nationalism and false doctrines. It calls for unity, faithful leadership, and a rejection of ideologies that compromise the gospel. … More Jesus, Not Nationalism
This week’s “David” series examines David’s refuge in the cave of Adullam while fleeing King Saul. Despite hardships, this experience fosters community and leadership, shaping David for future kingship. The cave symbolizes refuge, divine deliverance, and the importance of gathering in adversity, echoing the biblical theme of hope in difficult times. … More In the Cave with Dave
David’s life is a compelling study of contrasts—victor and sinner, poet and warrior. The upcoming series at MainStreet Covenant will explore some key episodes from David’s life which reflect humanity’s struggles and divine connection. Participants are encouraged to read and choose a Psalm that represents the season they are living in as we begin a new year together. … More David and the Psalms
You might have expected public celebrations of the birth by crowds of enthusiastic well-wishers; messages of goodwill from kings, queens and emperors, movers and shakers; religious leaders, political power-brokers, and wealthy benefactors. What you got was a child-killing death squad sent at the command of a vicious despot, and refugee status in a foreign land. Why this way? … More Why this Way?
As much as I despised these inner voices and nagging feelings, I also found strange comfort in their familiarity. I could hardly imagine life without them running amuck and filling my soul’s courtyard with 24/7 parties of gloom. I figured it was better to feel something “living” inside my soul, than to feel nothing at all. So I embraced an inner life full of brooding thoughts, bubbling resentment, and emotional turmoil. … More Elizabeth’s Inner Tenants
Kingdom Harbor 