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
Mike Glenn discusses the ongoing debate within the Southern Baptist Convention regarding the role of women as pastors, criticizing the fixation on church titles. He argues that such disputes detract from the church’s real mission: engaging with the community as missionaries. In contemporary society, he emphasizes the importance of being proactive in spreading faith rather than worrying about titles. … More What’s in a Name?
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
Jeremy reflects on a summer of stagnation, struggling with motivation and creativity while waiting for divine inspiration. He shares insights on faith, the challenge of being still, and the paradox of finding strength in weakness. Music has provided a refreshing outlet, stirring new creative impulses and a longing for spiritual renewal. … More Windsocks & Wind Chimes
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
This is a powerful sermon by Nadia Bolz-Weber for this moment, originally shared in the wake of a mass shooting years ago. As a woman preacher, I can’t help but love St Mary Magdalen. When I first discerned my call to be a preacher I got a tattoo of her on my forearm. I felt that when I needed to, I could borrow her strength. … More Mary Magdalen & Showing Up After Violence
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?
The kids are back in school! Now a strange silence fills the house after our three kids all get on the same bus this year at 7:30. In this stillness, my contemplative soul can breathe again and find space conducive to creative pursuits. But in the stillness and quiet, many of us can also feel and hear the deep sigh of weariness that broods just beneath the surface. … More Feeling Weary? You’re Not Alone.
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
The author shares insights on three impactful books: “Van Gogh: The Life,” which deeply explores the artist’s troubled psyche; “Blood in the Tracks,” highlighting the overlooked Minnesota musicians behind Dylan’s masterpiece; and Dallas Willard’s new “The Scandal of the Kingdom,” revealing the transformative significance of Jesus’s parables in contemporary life. … More Vacation Reading
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?
In this episode, I share a springtime reflection on two gardens in Scripture, each with people falling asleep in them. We need to learn a lesson from both if we are to be faithful gardeners of God’s New Creation today. I also share about our family weekend at the lake and Sunday night 1-on-1 basketball with my 13-year old. … More Podcast #203 – Sleepy Gardeners
The discipleship journey, explored here in Jeremy’s exposition of Luke 24:13-35, emphasizes companionship, compassionate listening, and the cruciform life. Jesus walks alongside disciples, fostering spiritual maturity through shared experiences and conversations. Ultimately, true discipleship leads to recognizing Christ’s presence, partaking in communion, and joyfully sharing the transformative gospel with others. … More Discipleship on the Emmaus Road
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
My rooster often crows loudest on a Monday. I don’t mean to imply I deny Jesus on a weekly basis. The rooster I speak of is the inner critic, the ever-present whisper of self-doubt I try so hard to keep silent all week as I go about my pastoral work. The rooster can leave me questioning my call, my giftedness and my effectiveness as a pastor. We are wise to know what to do when the rooster comes crowing. … More Monday Morning Rooster
My friend Cheryl shared this with me, and I wanted to share it with you today. Stand up comedian, Jeff Allen, shares his long and winding path from an alcoholic atheist to finding meaning and a transformed life through faith in Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Scriptures. … More A Comedian’s Testimony
Our friends Sarah and Doug are back with another deep dive discussion of a meditation I am preparing for an upcoming pastor’s conference. Looking at John 21, we explore God’s grace in the midst of our worst failures, and the invitation to throw ourselves overboard into the ocean of God’s love and forgiveness. What is Jesus’ main qualification for his servants? Listen and find out. … More Podcast #198 – Job Interview With Jesus
This Sunday we will be shocked once again with the yearly reminder that, given the choice between the peaceful and non-violent revolutionary prophet Jesus bar Joseph or the patriotic freedom-fighting violent revolutionary Jesus bar Abbas, otherwise known as Barabbas, the crowd chose Barabbas over Jesus. We’re still doing it today. My teacher, Scot McKnight, introduces a new book on Jesus and non-violent peacemaking on his Substack today. … More A Revolutionary Jesus
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
Kingdom Harbor 