I’m on a solo retreat at the Pepin Forest Treehouse cabin Keri booked for me for my 45th birthday. Feeling a bit nostalgic and retrospective in the treehouse this morning, I stumbled across an old journal entry and poem written by a 23-year old Jeremy just after college. This led me to thinking about aging instruments and Willie Nelson’s guitar. … More My Life Song & Willie’s Guitar
Danny Evans is a modern-day psalmist and spoken word prophet with a message for this moment. His mission is to erase division, and awaken people to the love that can cover the multitude of societal sins that are beguiling us. … More Scandal Follows the Sandal
A tearjerking poem I pull out every first (big) snowfall. With love to all who have suffered great loss, but who also know the grace that gently covers our great sorrow like a fresh blanket of snow. … More The First Snowfall
In out-of-the-way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge. For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, Noticing how you willed yourself on, Still unable to leave what you had outgrown. … More Poem for a New Beginning
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10). If I were called to the hospital bedside of a person who just attempted but failed to take their own life, I think I would bring this … More EPHESIANS 14: God’s Masterpiece (2:10)
“Actions into Place” by Danny Evans This new year leave the fear behind that is normally in your mind. It’s time start anew. Let this ring true. Let those thoughts go, for this is your opportunity to bless others and grow. Make amends to all. Break down that wall, but remember, this is all your … More A New Year’s Poem
“With Care” by Danny Evans This Christmas season, let us not commit holiday treason by excluding anyone from celebrating the real reason. It doesn’t matter how long someone has known God; give everyone the nod. Some people will enter under a steeple for the first time this December, so give them Him to remember. While … More “With Care” by Danny Evans
“Glee” by Danny Evans This time comes but once a year, but let me make it clear that everyday we should hold the real meaning dear. This is the time of Jesus’ birth, who would give us worth here on this earth. It’s okay to give gifts, but let us not drift from what it … More Glee by Danny Evans
Co-dependency is my tendency. I worry what others think. I analyze every move considering if it was a wink or just a blink. Always apologizing even if I didn’t make a mistake is agonizing to take. I rely on the praise of people, but now I worship the One in the steeple. The Holy One … More Redefine Me (by Danny Evans)
Never Gone I’m in bad shape, So I want to escape. There’s so much stress. I feel depressed. I’ve tried sleeping, But I feel the stress creeping. I’ve tried drinking. What was I thinking? God, I wish I wouldn’t avoid. Only You can make me feel overjoyed. Help me to face what’s going on And … More Never Gone (by Danny Evans)
We should never be ashamed of our past, for those memories will be surpassed. We all make mistakes, but put on the brakes before you call yourself a snake. Whatever has happened, we will learn from. Every lesson plays a part adding up to a sum. So, take that next step to prep for the … More Contrast (by Danny Evans)
A guest post from my friend Danny Evans on this Father’s Day weekend. We hope to share more of Danny’s poetry in the future at Daily Illumination. Read more about his unique spoken word ministry here. Every young man asks will I be good at that thing known as fatherhood? They have to want to … More Godly Fathers (by Danny Evans)
A couple weeks ago my sermon got pretty personal. I shared honestly about my feeling distant from God, a bit “cold” in my faith, and in need of rekindling. I shared how I retreated from my routine to a sacred place in my life — an old oak tree back in the woods at Bethel … More Under the Oak
Here’s a Christmas poem I wrote back in 2003. -JB WHEN HOLINESS CAME DOWN Silent night, Holy night All is calm, all is bright But was it really? There must have been some serious noise in the Heavenlies as demons shrieked and Satan yelled seeing imminent his utter defeat. Holy perhaps was the night before … More When Holiness Came Down
Another journal entry from my college days. I’m no poet – and boy do I know it! But these give a glimpse into my heart when I was trying to find my way in this world as a newer disciple of Christ. I felt very lonely and misunderstood at this time, and was struggling to … More Echoes from the Pit 2 – This Old Boat
Pulled out an old journal from my college days….found some very personal, desperate prayers and poems during a trying time in my life. I think I might share a few this Christmas. Here’s a childlike cry for God’s comforting presence to draw near — a prayer to Immanuel, “God with us.” IMMANUEL PRAYER – October … More Echoes from the Pit 1 – Immanuel Prayer
Here’s another post from our friend Brandon Hull. You can read more of his stuff at Pushing Through Concrete. ———————————— I’m tired of feeling like I can’t succeed. I’m tired of thinking that I can’t be freed I’m constantly battered by regret and remorse and the negative emotions are controlling my course at what point … More “Bring It On” by Brandon Hull
We’re excited to bring you another poem from our friend Brandon Hull. Please go check his writings out at Pushing Through Concrete. i seem to be learning that living is dying. waking is sleeping and contentment is trying. i seem to be finding that winning is losing that seeing is blinding and healing is bruising. … More “Contrasts” by Brandon Hull
I want to introduce a talented young poet and friend, Brandon Hull. We’ll be sharing some of his writings on DI in the future, and I encourage you to check out more of his stuff at his blog Pushing Through Concrete. I must confess to an obsession, when pressed for an impression I’ll give most … More “Confessions” by Brandon Hull
These are the words that came to me on a prayer walk last night around midnight.
Jeremy L. Berg 