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
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
This is a timely repost from about 2011 when MainStreet was just getting launched. It was during another local election season where people were passionately campaigning for and against a school referendum. You can sense my urgency and deep burden for our local community. Regardless how we vote on November 8, may we vote Jesus leader of our lives … More Political Fervor & Christian Apathy
My heart nearly lept out of my chest with excitement. And yet the lump in my throat was hard to swallow. I was paralyzed with delightful dread at the thought of a personal invitation from Jesus. “What kind of an invitation?” I asked. Again, still wondering who the prankster was on the other end of the … More Cabin 02: The Invitation
I was jolted out of a deep and dreamy sleep by my vibrating cell on my night stand. Light beamed through the crack in my window shade, a sharp focused ray of sunshine right in my face. Blinded and disoriented, I fumbled for my phone. As my eyes adjusted, the room looked somehow different. The … More Cabin 01: The Voice
Originally posted on Jeremy Berg:
“A huge crowd…trailed after them… swarms of people who had heard the reports and had come to see for themselves. He told his disciples to get a boat ready so he wouldn’t be trampled by the crowd… Now everyone who had something wrong was pushing and shoving to get near…
Radical, unquestioning obedience to God is not in vogue in the church today. We’ve moved beyond that bossy God of the Old Testament, preferring the more gentle, easy-going Jesus who fits conveniently in our own hearts. We prefer t-shirts that say “Jesus is my homeboy” over ones that say “Jesus is my master.” Muslims approach … More Recovering Obedience at the Heart of Discipleship
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
11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 4 (Matt. 22:1-14)
Ever been rejected? It hurts. Ever put yourself out there so far, and having been rejected so bad, you vow never to risk it again? Perhaps we can take some consolation in the fact that even God experiences rejection. I believe God doesn’t force his will on anyone, but rather desires for us to freely … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 2 (Matt. 22:1-14)
Let’s pick apart a parable together. Our modern American church culture is obsessed with the big and flashy. This “bigger is better” mindset usually cuts right against the Kingdom way of Jesus that celebrates small looking things that appear unimpressive- – like mustard seeds. But one thing Jesus and our churches both can unite around … More PARABLES: Let’s Party 1 (Matt. 22:1-14)
“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
There was a young man who did his best to follow all of the laws of Moses. But he knew that it was impossible to do everything the law commanded and lived in fear of God’s punishment. Then one day a new rabbi came to his village. This rabbi preached a message unlike any he … More The Parable of the Butterfly (Mike Fox)
What if Jesus pulled up on a Harley the day of the biker gang massacre in Texas? Jeremy offers one theory. … More EPHESIANS 16: Biker Gangs at the Cross (2:14-18)
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake” (Matt. 13:1). The Christian life is largely about imitating the spiritual habits and behaviors of Jesus. Now, many of Jesus’ teachings and practices are rigorous and demanding. E.g., “If you want to be my disciple you must first deny yourself and take … More WWJD: Go Sit by a Lake!
It’s sunrise. The day after Fishing Opener. Location: Sea of Galilee. Date: A.D. 28. The schools of fish have gathered for an emergency all school assembly at Rock Pile Point. There is great unrest in the school. The fish of Galilee are extra fidgety this year. There are strange rumors afloat. You see, every year around … More Fishing Opener Mystery on the Sea of Galilee
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” Jesus answered, “The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them… The reason I use parables in talking to them is that they look, but … More The Secrets of the Kingdom
One dynamic that Jesus films help bring out that often gets missed in common Christian teaching is how real and popular the “zealot” movement was in Jesus’ day. These were religious “freedom fighters” who wanted to take up arms against Rome and try to incite insurrection and political unrest in the Holy Land. Jesus rejected … More A.D. Miniseries Commentary – Resisting the Way of Violence
One of the most enjoyable and humbling aspects of ministry is premarital counseling with young couples. In a relationally, maritally challenged and sexually confused culture, I get to spend many precious hours with couples looking at God’s design for love and sex, and probing his wisdom and insight for a healthy marriage. One thing I often do with couples is … More The Narrow Way to a Healthy Marriage
This is powerful.
Have you seen this recent piece of art making the rounds? It’s called “One Nation Under God.” As you can see, Jesus is front and center holding the U.S. Constitution which, according to this artist, was “inspired by God.” Greg Boyd took this artist’s message to task on his blog, saying among other things: “Artistically … More Jesus, the Constitution & the Founding Fathers
This post was written on the fishing opener on May 15, 2010. “As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:16-17) I came home … More Fishing Opener Is Here!
Cabin fever anyone? Wanna get away from it all this summer? Imagine the phone rings and it’s Jesus himself saying, “Are you tired? Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” (Matt 11 MSG). Who would refuse such an offer? Well, the offer is there! … More SUMMER SERIES: Cabin with Jesus
A repost from a few years back in remembrance of Michael Clark Duncan’s passing this year. -JB It’s already been 10 years since the release of The Green Mile (1999). The Stephen King film stars Tom Hanks as a Death row guard and the massively large and mysteriously gifted prisoner named John Coffey played by Michael … More MOVIE REVIEW: Jesus Went “The Green Mile”
Jeremy Berg 