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The Anchor

The Anchor

By Dr. Jeremy L. Berg

Jesus-shaped wisdom for 21st century life. Dr. Jeremy Berg — pastor, professor and writer — offers on-the-go spiritual insights and biblical reflections to keep us anchored in Christ. More at www.KingdomHarbor.com.
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80. The Chosen 7: The Earnest Spiritual Seeker

The AnchorNov 09, 2021

00:00
21:41
132. Chased By Goodness & Mercy

132. Chased By Goodness & Mercy

I returned home to the church of my upbringing, and here’s the message I shared from Psalm 23.
Mar 14, 202409:16
131. Coal Into Diamonds

131. Coal Into Diamonds

Jesus’ hour of glorification was also his hour of suffering. Might that be true for us as well? Let’s talk about crushed bones, strength coaches, coal and diamonds.
Mar 12, 202407:11
130. Blind, Now I See

130. Blind, Now I See

In going blind, Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie comes to see in a deeper way. What about us? Lectionary reflection: Numbers 21.
Mar 08, 202407:31
129. Seated in Heavenly Places

129. Seated in Heavenly Places

Ephesians 2:1-10 is a goldmine of glorious truths worthy of our attention. What does it mean to be “seated in heavenly places in Christ” already now?
Mar 06, 202407:57
128. Zeal For Your House Consumes Me

128. Zeal For Your House Consumes Me

In John 2 Jesus cleanses the temple, and the words of the Psalmist are fulfilled: “Zeal for your house consumes me.” What if Jesus is still consumed with zeal for his temple today—you and me?
Mar 04, 202408:52
127. Downside of Bible Apps

127. Downside of Bible Apps

Public service announcement on the benefits and downsides of smart phone Bible apps, and the brilliance of the common lectionary for reading Scripture in community and with the global Church.
Feb 27, 202406:49
126. Mocking or Marveling at the Cross?

126. Mocking or Marveling at the Cross?

Lectionary text: Mark 8. Why would anyone be ashamed of Jesus and his message today?
Feb 23, 202405:24
125. Exceedingly Fruitful

125. Exceedingly Fruitful

If God can make a 99-year-old on Viagra fruitful, what could he do with your life? Lectionary text: Gen 17; Rom 4:17
Feb 21, 202409:30
124. Justifying My Existence

124. Justifying My Existence

In the movie Chariots of Fire, Harold Abrahams describes his Olympic sprint as “10 lonely seconds to justify my whole existence.” Can you relate?
Feb 19, 202405:37
123. Appeal For A Clear Conscience

123. Appeal For A Clear Conscience

1 Peter 3:18-22 explores our cosmic battle against invisible forces, and a faith that desires a clear conscience.
Feb 18, 202414:51
122. Tour Bus in the Jordan Wilderness

122. Tour Bus in the Jordan Wilderness

Jeremy‘s gift shop reflection invites us into the wilderness to encounter the Mystery. But this may require escaping the ordinary. Lectionary texts: Mark 1:9-13; Gen 9:13-15; 1 Peter 3:18-22.
Feb 16, 202410:06
121. Face Like Flint

121. Face Like Flint

What does it mean to “set our face like Flint”? An invitation to the Season of Lent on this Ash Wednesday from Luke 9:51 and Isaiah 50.
Feb 14, 202410:56
120. Soul pharmacy

120. Soul pharmacy

WWJP? What would Jesus prescribe for our spiritual aches and pains and coughing and wheezing and sore hearts?
Feb 12, 202407:19
119. Super Bowl Sermon: Huddle Up!

119. Super Bowl Sermon: Huddle Up!

A Super Bowl Sunday mini-sermon! Lectionary text: Mark 9:2-9.
Feb 11, 202408:20
118. Spiritual Orphans and Mentors

118. Spiritual Orphans and Mentors

Lectionary Text: 2 Kings 2:1-15. Today, a touching snapshot of a disciple and his beloved mentor on his very strange deathbed.
Feb 09, 202412:56
117. Divine Bowel Movements

117. Divine Bowel Movements

A “sermon” from the ICU room at Children’s Hospital after our son’s third surgery on his bowels this past November.
Feb 07, 202410:60
116. Cow Manure

116. Cow Manure

Can a dump truck full of manure hold the secret to spiritual growth? Could “shit happens” be the slogan of the next discipleship conference?
Feb 05, 202407:04
115. Magic Doors & Open Houses

115. Magic Doors & Open Houses

Let’s talk about magic doors suspended from the clouds and the smell of fresh baked cookies at a recent open house. Lectionary text: Mark 1:29-39
Feb 01, 202407:29
114. Sit Still, Pinocchio

114. Sit Still, Pinocchio

Are we so busy working for God, that we forget to let God work in us? Stop doing for God and “let it be done unto you” today.
Jan 31, 202411:19
113. Planet of the Apes

113. Planet of the Apes

What my daughter’s piano recital and boys movie night taught me about being human.
Jan 29, 202416:54
112. Unclean Spirits & UnSpirited Clean

112. Unclean Spirits & UnSpirited Clean

Lectionary Reflection: Mark 1:21-28. Jesus comes into our churches to clean up people with unclean spirits, and mess with people whose lives might be too clean and polished.
Jan 26, 202407:06
111. Sweet and Sour Church

111. Sweet and Sour Church

Jeremy reads a letter he sent the church on the Eve of the pandemic in 2020, and gives a peek into the MainStreet community Jeremy has led for 13 years.
Jan 24, 202414:37
110. Laid Bare Yet Lavishly Loved

110. Laid Bare Yet Lavishly Loved

Has a failure ever left you wanting to crawl in a hole and hide in shame? Simon Peter faces the music after his epic blunder, and what does he receive?
Jan 22, 202406:08
109. The Time Is Fulfilled! Change Your Thinking!

109. The Time Is Fulfilled! Change Your Thinking!

A deeper dive into Jesus’ campaign slogan! What does it mean that “The time is fulfilled! The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the good news”? This is essential stuff to ponder.
Jan 18, 202421:52
108. Soaking in Christ

108. Soaking in Christ

Thoughts on spiritual rhythms from a country club contemplative.
Jan 17, 202410:49
107. A Step Away From a Vibrant Prayer Life

107. A Step Away From a Vibrant Prayer Life

Do you struggle to pray? Me too! One small adjustment can turn all our daily worries and decisions and challenges into a rich prayer life.
Jan 15, 202406:00
106. A Guileless Faith

106. A Guileless Faith

Lectionary Reflection: John 1:43-51. What kind of company do you prefer? People who guard their thoughts and have you walking on eggshells, or straight shooters who speak their mind?
Jan 12, 202410:40
105. Barrels Out of Bonds

105. Barrels Out of Bonds

Lectionary Reflection: Acts 19:1-7. Today we talk about hobbits and dwarves and ask with Paul, “Into what exactly were we baptized?”
Jan 11, 202407:18
104. What Counts With God

104. What Counts With God

As we countdown to the new year, what really counts with God?
Jan 09, 202408:44
103. Suffering into Hopeville

103. Suffering into Hopeville

Thoughts on Romans 5 and our 31 days in the ICU recently. Suffering will reveal and produce stuff, but exactly what will be shaped by the story we’re telling ourselves.
Jan 08, 202416:27
102. A New Year, New Adventure
Jan 05, 202421:32
101. When God’s Glory Appeared & Wept

101. When God’s Glory Appeared & Wept

Lectionary reflection: Epiphany: Isaiah 60:1-6; Eph. 3:5-8
Jan 03, 202416:08
98. Two Stars: A Christmas Sermon

98. Two Stars: A Christmas Sermon

A version of my sermon from Christmas Eve 2021 exploring the star of Bethlehem that leads us to an initial encounter with Christ, and the Morning Star of 2 Peter 1 who wants to rise higher and larger in our hearts in our everyday lives. From my series/book “Christmas on Mount Mystic” examining the glory of the manger in the light of the mystery of the Transfiguration.
Dec 27, 202222:15
95. When Life Knocks You Down

95. When Life Knocks You Down

A word for when life has knocked you down and laid you out flat. Lessons from a dying man in Acts 7. More at www.KingdomHarbor.com.

Jan 27, 202215:05
92. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 9: Blessed is the Prince of Peacemakers

92. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 9: Blessed is the Prince of Peacemakers

We conclude our Beatitudes of Bethlehem series with Jeremy's Christmas eve sermon from 2020 during lock-down. Come hear about a restless pastor swearing in a Holiday Gas Station parking lot, a stunned and confused prison guard, and a jailbird radiating a deep peace in middle of miserable circumstances. May we all discover the secret to deep and abiding peace amidst life's storms. Merry Christmas!

Dec 24, 202128:30
91. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 8: Blessed are the Horoscope Readers
Dec 22, 202115:40
90. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 7: Blessed are the Speechless
Dec 20, 202112:18
89. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 6: Blessed Are the Fed Up

89. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 6: Blessed Are the Fed Up

In this episode we discuss being "hangry" for God's justice to reign, looking at "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice" and Simeon who embodied such a hunger. Let us be thankful and more compassionate toward those among us who seem always "fed up" with all the evil and oppression taking place in our world. Their "hanger" reveals the heart of God and the heart of the prayer, "Thy Kingdom come!" More at www.KingdomHarbor.com. 

Dec 16, 202113:56
88. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 5: Blessed Are the Underachievers

88. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 5: Blessed Are the Underachievers

While our culture blesses the winners and overachievers, Jesus' Kingdom celebrates and elevates the humble losers and perpetually passed-over. This episode unpacks "Blessed are the Meek" and explores God's choice of Mary through whom to bring his Kingdom into the world. More at www.KingdomHarbor.com. 

Dec 14, 202111:17
87. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 4: Blessed are the Emotional Wrecks
Dec 09, 202116:58
86. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 3: Blessed are the Poor Shepherds
Dec 07, 202113:21
85. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 2: Climbing Companions

85. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 2: Climbing Companions

In this episode, Jeremy invites us to join Jesus on the Mount of Beatitudes this Advent, becoming his "climbing companions," and pondering who is truly blessed among us. More at www.KingdomHarbor.com. 

Dec 02, 202111:51
84. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 1: Garage Roof Epiphany

84. Beatitudes of Bethlehem 1: Garage Roof Epiphany

This is part 1 of a series of reflections on how the nature of Jesus' upside-down Kingdom was anticipated in the unlikely cast of characters in the Nativity Story. Enjoy! More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

Nov 30, 202117:33
83. Christmas on Mount Mystic

83. Christmas on Mount Mystic

Join us this Advent Season for our series called, "Christmas on Mount Mystic" where we're explore the Incarnation in the light of the Transfiguration. Jeremy is creating a fictional backstory to this sermon series featuring a weary woman named Amanda who is in need of a vacation before she has a meltdown at a family holiday gathering. She gets an invitation from her great uncle Eli to spend an extended retreat at their cabin on Mount Mystic. But this will be no ordinary escape, and Mount Mystic will live up to its name. Today's episode gives a little teaser. Join us Sundays at 5PM at MainStreet Covenant Church @ St Martin's By the Lake beginning Nov. 28. 

Nov 23, 202109:39
82. The Chosen 8: Jesus Was Here
Nov 16, 202121:17
80. The Chosen 7: The Earnest Spiritual Seeker
Nov 09, 202121:41
79. The Sins of Our Fathers

79. The Sins of Our Fathers

Jeremy wades into some rough waters by exploring the defensive posture of many today who bristle at the thought of taking responsibility for and confessing the sins of our nation's forefathers. Such "rugged individualism" is out of step with a biblical worldview. Jeremy blows the whistle on the hypocrisy of those who want to claim the victories and blessings of people who lived long before us, but who don't want to own any of the sin and evil committed by our ancestors. If we want to claim Christ's accomplishment on our behalf 2,000 years ago, we need to also take responsibility for Adam's sin passed down to us. Christians, of all people in the world, should be the quickest to confess and own our sin, because we believe in a loving and gracious God who forgives. Or don't we? More at www.KingdomHarbor.com.  

Nov 04, 202116:27
78. Sipping Grape Juice with the 'Dead'

78. Sipping Grape Juice with the 'Dead'

Jeremy offers some thoughts on the significance and meaning of All Saints Day, and how many Protestants have neglected this topic and/or have a diminished view of the Communion of the Saints. 

Nov 02, 202111:54
77. Soul-Winning Coffin Salesmen
Oct 28, 202113:33
76. The Chosen 6: Fear & Rigidity Keep God Out
Oct 26, 202122:04