Daily Spark: “Last Words: Forgive”
April 6, 2020
Jesus died how he lived: extending grace to others. What if we followed in his steps? … More Daily Spark: “Last Words: Forgive”
Tag: grace
Quarantine Letters: Illusion of Control
March 23, 2020
So much of our growth happens through pain, and that pain comes in two forms. Pain we choose is called a discipline, while pain we do not choose is called a trial. Neither kind should be wasted. … More Quarantine Letters: Illusion of Control
Amanda’s Story
December 9, 2019
MainStreet is a church is worth investing in because they are meeting people where they are and helping them move forward with Christ. MainStreet is small, but they are mighty, and I am just one story. Without MainStreet my story would have been very different. … More Amanda’s Story
Stumbling in Grandpa Billy’s Footsteps
February 22, 2019
Many of you know Billy Graham was a personal hero of mine. Many of you may not know the story of his grandson, Tullian Tchividjian. He became a very gifted and high-profile pastor with a huge following. Bestselling books, leader of a large church, and a family legacy to bolster (and afflict?) him. He feel … More Stumbling in Grandpa Billy’s Footsteps
Scandalous Incarnation!
December 12, 2018
Perhaps we’ve let the graceless moralism of too many Santa songs taint our view of the One who truly comes to town on Christmas. For the miracle of the incarnation is for the naughty and nice. He’s already made His list and He’s checked it twice, and all are on it until we choose to reject His gift and thereby remove our own name from it. … More Scandalous Incarnation!
God’s Lazy River
April 20, 2018
John describes his experience of Christ — his faith — as far more than a collection of beliefs. He sounds like he’s completely immersed in God-reality, floating on a lazy-river of Christ-awareness, and being swept up in the easy, life-renewing currents of Trinitarian Presence. … More God’s Lazy River
It’s a Long Slow Process
April 16, 2018
“Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made” (Phil 3:16). Paul is first and foremost a pastor. Every pastor must grasp one simple but crucial truth of … More It’s a Long Slow Process
God’s Gift of Limits
April 6, 2018
by Pete Scazzero Limits are often the last place we look for God. We want to conquer them, plan around them, deny them, and fight them. We attend leadership conferences so we can step out in faith and break through the limits before us. The problem is that when we fail to look for God … More God’s Gift of Limits
Judas in the Mirror (Matt 26:20-28)
March 23, 2018
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?” Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand … More Judas in the Mirror (Matt 26:20-28)
The Palms of His Hands
March 22, 2018
I tend to be a bit forgetful at times. I’ll walk upstairs to get something but forget what it was when I arrive. I’m still in my 30s but I swear my short-term memory is fading! The obvious solution for this affliction is to write things down, make lists, or plug it into my iPhone calendar. … More The Palms of His Hands
Beloved
March 16, 2018
Dear Beloved, I use that salutation purposefully, knowing how strange it must sound to contemporary ears: “Dear Beloved?” We live in an age of quickly shot-off emails and spontaneous texts that begin with an informal “Yo” or “Hey”(if there’s any salutation at all). But let me tell you why I use “beloved” in my weekly … More Beloved
Climbing Mt. Everest (Psalm 119)
February 9, 2018
We don’t think attaining “the blessed life” has any correlation with faithful obedience and diligent devotion! If Jesus was obedient for us, then we can lazily float away our days on a inflatable lounger in the pool of cheap grace. … More Climbing Mt. Everest (Psalm 119)
A Thanksgiving Reflection
November 22, 2017
A letter to my church: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God” (Phil. 1:3). Tomorrow most of us will be gathered around a big family table sharing not only food but also the full array of emotions that come with being together with extended family and relatives. If you had the … More A Thanksgiving Reflection
Fowl Prayers: Silliness Before the Throne
September 20, 2017
During bedtime prayers this week, something incredibly silly and irreverent happened. Complete hilarity ensued before the throne of the Almighty as toddler humor took over our prayers. I didn’t know whether to scold and lecture my kids about making light of prayer, or burst out laughing along with my 4 and 6 year old. What … More Fowl Prayers: Silliness Before the Throne
PHILIPPIANS 34: Evening Grace (4:23)
June 1, 2017
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit” (Phil 4:23). Paul begins with “grace” (1:2), and ends with “grace.” The gracious love of the Lord Jesus was the joy of his heart. For Paul, grace was the name of his game. Grace was the blood running through his veins. Grace was the … More PHILIPPIANS 34: Evening Grace (4:23)
Prayer: No Longer a Slave
November 29, 2016
No Longer A Slave (Author Unknown) You unravel me with a melody You surround me with a song Of deliverance from my enemies ‘Til all my fears are gone I’m no longer a slave to fear I am a child of God From my mother’s womb You have chosen me Love has called my name … More Prayer: No Longer a Slave
Cabin 13: The Potting Shed
November 9, 2016
Later that morning Jesus told me to get my work boots on and meet him at the potting shed. The rustic shed sat cropped up on a hill with a wood chipped path leading down to the cabin. As I approached the shed, I saw Jesus come out the little red door in his grubs … More Cabin 13: The Potting Shed
Podcast: “Grace & Peace”
October 28, 2016
Cabin 08: Cabin Bash
October 23, 2016
I took in the beautiful landscape as we approached the cabin door. “Everybody’s waiting to meet you,” Jesus said. Gulp. Now what? I was anticipating a private weekend alone with Jesus. I was hardly in the mood for a party. As the door opened on the small cabin a rush of joyous noise greeted me. … More Cabin 08: Cabin Bash
Why Fear a God of Love? (1 Peter 1:17-19)
October 10, 2016
Join us as we continue our journey through 1 Peter verse by verse! Last post we explored 1:13-16 where Peter helps us set our hopes not on any earthly hope but on the salvation realities found in Christ. In a world driven about by knee-jerk emotionalism and untamed desires, we are called to be driven instead by minds … More Why Fear a God of Love? (1 Peter 1:17-19)
Brennan Manning & Scandalous Grace
November 14, 2015
I’ve recently rediscovered the powerful grace-centered ministry of the late Brennan Manning who passed away a couple years ago. What a life, what a story, what a message he brought to so many people in need of an accurate image of the true God revealed in Jesus, and to the many in need of an … More Brennan Manning & Scandalous Grace
GOLF & GOD (9): Mulligans & Scorecards
June 26, 2015
“What did you get on that hole?” the scorecard keeper asks. Your answer may not be as simple as just counting up your strokes. For many, this question immediately forces an ethical dilemma or sparks an internal wrestling match with one’s conscience. Do I tell him the truth– that I got “a snowman” on the … More GOLF & GOD (9): Mulligans & Scorecards
EPHESIANS 13: No Such Thing as a Free Lunch?
April 25, 2015
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Eph. 2:8-9). Church planting has taught me many faith lessons. One unexpected (yet delicious) … More EPHESIANS 13: No Such Thing as a Free Lunch?
It’s blowing everywhere, covering everything!
July 29, 2014
It’s blowing everywhere, covering everything. Cottonwood trees are spreading their seed indiscriminately by way of the warm spring breeze. Those of us too absorbed in our ordinary affairs will simply ignore nature’s process of procreation as pollen storms blow in and cotton-like snow accumulates on our lawns, car windshields, patio furniture and everything else. Until, … More It’s blowing everywhere, covering everything!
Grace in a Hottub
April 19, 2013
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
Jeremy L. Berg 