I Am Nicodemus
I just realized in my 41st year of life, in my 21st year of intentionally following Jesus, and my 11th year as pastor of MainStreet that…I am Nicodemus. And I’m not alone.
A Prayer of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Jesus, the very thought of thee with sweetness fills my breast. But greater still thy face to see and in thy presence, rest.
~St. Bernard of Clairvaux
More Than Sin-Avoidance (Skye Jethani)
It is not the sins we are tempted to commit that ought to frighten us, but the acts of justice we are never inspired to attempt.
Mining For God
When I find myself revisiting the valley of the shadow of death and making mental mud pies in the pit, the mind of my “flesh” tells me I’m in Enemy territory. The Spirit of Truth reminds me, “The light shines in the darkness.”
A Conduit, Not a Factory
He is the faucet, the spigot, the ever flowing spring. I’m that rusty watering can with a slow leak.
Olde Tyme Letters Speak Today
This fall I will be writing pastoral letters to my congregation as part of my doctoral program. Seeking inspiration and models, I have been devouring letters from many spiritual writers such as Henri Nouwen and Eugene Peterson. I still love the olde time wisdom packed into Francois Fenelon’s letters (1651-1715). […]
Seeking Still Waters Under a Waterfall (1 Peter 2:1-3)
Soon the soothing sounds of the gentle breeze and singing birds were drowned out by loud music coming from a vehicle parked ahead by the stream. DNR officials were taking water samples from the stream. The people called to protect the beauty and peacefulness of the natural habitat were checking the water for pollutants while polluting the air with noise.
Salvation Lives Here (A Home Blessing)
Marvel of marvels, the Living God wants—no insists—on taking up residence in our homes! “I must stay at your house,” he tells Zacchaeus.
A Weekend at the Father’s Cabin
The Father’s Cabin is an account of Jeremy’s imaginative and prayer-generated journey to a quiet, northern lakefront cabin where the Son of God himself is our host and guide. The Father’s Cabin illuminates scripture and kingdom truths in a creative narrative style that is full of both witty humor and profound insights. This is a trip you’ll never forget!
Sermon: Apocalypse Now 5 – “Garden City Coming Down”
Part 5 of our Revelation series looks at the church’s call to resist the seduction of Empire and worldly power, avoiding the mark(s) of the Beast and bearing the marks of Christlike character. We should fix our eyes on the New City that will someday come down to Earth, and become a here-and-now colony of Heaven in the middle of this groaning creation.
Conversation #3: What About White Privilege?
This week’s service honors Father’s Day, Keri’s birthday and Conversation #3 on Racial Righteousness with a message by Pastor Jon Tyson of Church of the City, New York, on Jesus, power and privilege.
