Rigid traditions create small boxes with well defined borders. Small boxes define a world where some are in (us) and some are out (the outcast). We see this portrayed in this video; we see this in scripture, and, unfortunately, we see this in the world we live in today. … More Chosen 6 – The Spiritual Toxicity of Fear & Rigidity
While 2020 has been declared the “lost year,” the worst thing of all is to feel like you’ve lost sight of God or that God has lost touch with you. Pastor Mike has good news for us from Psalm 139. … More WATCH: The Inescapable God
Spiders and snakes are not very cute or cuddly and, for most of us, they have a high “ick” factor. But they likely are NOT what keep you awake at night. So, what are you REALLY afraid of? … More “Do Not Be Afraid” (Mike Fox)
Sometimes we need the advice of a wise and trusted counselor, sometimes the comforting arms of a loving father, sometimes the stability from a benevolent leader and sometimes we need the protection of a strong champion. This week we will look at the title “Mighty God”. … More Christ Our Champion (Mike Fox)
LECTIONARY REFLECTION| LUKE 11:1-13 NEWS FLASH! JESUS WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN! Most people, Christians and non-Christians alike, recognize that Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian faith. Even the name of our religion – CHRISTianity – reflects the importance of Jesus Christ to us. Christians, as a group, tend to forget that Jesus was a … More Jesus-Shaped Prayer (Mike Fox)
LECTIONARY REFLECTION | LUKE 8:26-39 In Western society the scientific method has been the standard for separating fact from fiction, truth from lie since the 1500s. For the last 500 years, anything that can’t be demonstrated in a controlled, repeatable experiment must not be true. Religion, faith, and belief in an unseen, spiritual world has been … More Fighting Demons (Mike Fox)
Here’s the sermon Mike prepared for last Sunday when we cancelled due to 20 inches of snow! The main thing I’m DOUBTING these days is if Spring is ever going to come to Minnesota! Thanks for this thoughtful message, Mike! The gospel lesson from the common lectionary for the 3rd week of Easter invites us … More Sermon: “I Doubt It” (Mike Fox)
By Mike Fox On my desk at work I have a scripture-a-day calendar. When I get to work in the morning, one of the first things I do is tear off yesterday’s verse and look at the new verse. I never look ahead. I look forward to the surprise. Last week one of the verses … More “Here I Am!” (by Mike Fox)
I can only answer the question, “What am I to do?” if I can answer the prior question “Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?” – Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue My granddaughter loves to act out the stories she hears. She is the heroine of a seemingly endless stream of mysteries, … More What Story are you part of? (Mike Fox)
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)
Enjoy this challenge from my friend Mike Fox whose writings have been featured here in the past. -JB 100 years ago there was no television, no internet. News traveled slowly. Because of this a drought in Africa, a tsunami in SE Asia, or an epidemic in India might go unnoticed by most Americans. It was the … More Blistered Feet & Bloody Hands (by Mike Fox)
Jeremy L. Berg 