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
I have been thinking about anointing lately. This ancient biblical practice is foreign to us today. When was the last time someone poured oil over your head and down your beard? Probably never. This past weekend our family had the chance to anoint my uncle in the hospital who is dying. … More Like Oil Poured on the Head
Physical touch has profound effects on well-being, as shown in studies, yet many feel deprived. This week’s Gospel lesson of the woman healed by touching Jesus’s cloak emphasizes the significance of physical contact. In today’s digital world, there is a growing need to prioritize face-to-face interactions and embrace the healing power of physical touch. … More Healing Touch & Touch-less Faith
The “truth” has always been a slippery thing, easily manipulated, easily spun, misplaced or lost in the couch cushions of public discourse. The atomic, bone rattling, earth-shaking radioactive Truth Bomb of the ages is that since the incarnation of the Word, all human ideas, arguments, concepts, abstractions, formulas, presentations, editorials, principles, etc. of “truth” must now stand before and buckle its knees in the presence of the Truth Incarnate. … More Truth Bomb
Remember the moment on “Little House on the Prairie” when Mary goes blind? Drawing a parallel with the story in Numbers 21 and emphasizing the importance of looking at God with the eyes of faith, Jeremy urges a deeper, all-senses kind of seeing to live faithfully. … More Blind, Now I See
Imagine returning home from a night out when traffic suddenly halts. Your eyes are drawn upward to a magic door descending from the heavens, suspended over the city. The mayor and fire department scratch their heads as crowds slowly gather. Soon the entire city is gathered around that mysterious door. It’s cracked a bit, and strange light is piercing the cool evening air. … More Magic Doors & Open Houses
Why was the creation of the universe described in 9 verses in Genesis, whereas the building of the tabernacle is detailed in hundreds of verses over many chapters Exodus? Moses was working with a fractious bunch divided into twelve tribes, and one of the best ways to unite a people is by joining them together in a common project. … More Shut Up & Build Up: Healing Our Divisions
“I no longer go by that name.” These are the words out of Mary of Magdala’s mouth as she is stopped by Nicodemus in the street, recently healed from her demonic affliction in episode one. Her healing was set into motion when Jesus called her by her true name, and she threw off her false identity – “Lilith.” The same healing awaits us. … More Chosen 2 – “I No Longer Go By That Name”
We’ve all been bitten by the Serpent of Old, and the venom of sin in all its various forms courses through our veins. Where can we LOOK for healing? Jeremy’s message from John 3:14 and Num. 21 with scripture readings by Peter & Isaak Berg. … More WATCH: Snake Bite
This year Ash Wednesday felt even darker than other years. A service that ends with ashes smeared on your forehead with the words, “From the dust you came, and to dust you shall return,” is always a bit of a downer. But our mortality feels a bit more real, perhaps, after a year that claimed … More Ashes & Oil
Jesus offers more than a small puddle of spiritual refreshment that appears momentarily but vanishes quickly in the afternoon sun. … More When the Waters Stir
How can we creatively and compassionately carry one another in times of need? … More Daily Spark: “Carry Each Other” (Jeremy)
As the COVID-19 virus is spreads across our land and people practice social distancing, I’m reading about how the news of Jesus’ healing power spread so rapidly across Galilee, forcing Jesus to seek some social distance from the crushing crowds! … More Quarantine Letters: Get A Grip!
Standing there by the shore, the ancient breeze tickling the back of my neck, I pointed to the other side. Seven words got them into the boat and seven miles got them across the sea to the heart of Jesus’ mission to save a life hanging in the balance. … More When Pigs Fly: 7 Words & 7 Miles
When I’m an old worn out pastor sitting on a porch drinking coffee, and my memory is all but gone, I’ll still remember those two words spoken over me in that church basement on plastic folding chairs with a flickering fluorescent light above… … More A Catalytic Mobilizer on a Plastic Chair
LECTIONARY REFLECTION | 18th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c This week we’ll board a plane and take the kids to Disney World – the Magic Kingdom where all your dreams can come true with a little waving of the wand (and a lot of cash in your pocket)! If only “wishing upon a … More Magic Wand Spirituality
LECTIONARY REFLECTION | Luke 13:10-17; Psalm 71:1-6 “Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, … More Childhood Wounds
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!
Jeremy L. Berg 