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.
The AnchorDec 14, 2021
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153. The Untamed Word
Is our so-called personal relationship with Jesus actually a personal relationship with the Bible? Let’s explore the difference.
May 13, 202409:22
152. Truth Bomb
This deep dive into John 17 talks about the atomic Truth Bomb of the incarnation, and explores Jesus heartfelt prayer for the church he’s sending out into a world of darkness and deception to be shining his light of truth.
May 10, 202418:47
151. Jesus Walks Intro 2
Jeremy continues the introduction to his forthcoming book “Jesus Walks” providing a field guide for discipleship conversations in nature.
May 08, 202417:12
150. Jesus Walks: Intro 1
From the introduction to a book I’m working on this summer called “Jesus Walks: A Field Guide for Discipleship Conversations in Nature.”
May 06, 202412:01
149. Invitation: “Imago Vita”
An invitation to join us for a special 3-part series on the role of imagination in spiritual formation at MainStreet the next three Sundays at 5 PM.
May 03, 202408:12
148. Jesus, Travel Agent
A deep, contemplative dive into John 14-15 exploring the mystical union and mutual indwelling between the persons of the Trinity that Jesus, our Kingdom travel agent, invites us to make our ultimate spiritual destination.
May 02, 202419:08
147. Who’s Your Shepherd? Debt
What happens when financial debt is the Shepherd that’s driving our lives?
May 01, 202409:46
146. Who’s Your Shepherd? Worry
Worry is perhaps the most prevalent false shepherd guiding and shaping our lives. Let the Prince of Peace free us from non stop worrying.
Apr 29, 202408:44
145. Who’s Your Shepherd? Depression
Driven by the dark cloud into valleys of despair, today we look at the false shepherd of depression.
Apr 26, 202412:32
144. Your Chariot Awaits
A spiritual reading of Acts 8 and the blessing of spiritual chariots to climb up into along the Wilderness Road of life.
Apr 24, 202410:38
143. Who’s Your Shepherd? Addiction
Confronting the enslaving taskmaster shepherds that lead us along paths of death and destruction. There’s hope for freedom!
Apr 22, 202408:57
142. Ease Up, Condemning Heart
Today’s reflection on 1 John 3 is a confession of my own self-condemning heart and an invitation to believe the good news that God is greater than my half-renovated heart.
Apr 18, 202408:22
141. The Good Shepherd
An overview of Psalm 23 with some commentary.
Apr 16, 202415:01
140. Who’s Your Shepherd?
Introduction to a short series on false shepherds that lead us to toxic waters and barren pastures, and the Good Shepherd who leads us into the good life.
Apr 12, 202409:22
138. Two Stones Rolling: Easter Sermon
My rhythmic Easter message celebrating when God rolls the stones away and what to do with the stony obstacles that won’t budge. Based on John 20:1-18.
Apr 02, 202416:25
137. Bonfire & Bourbon: A Maundy Thursday Story
The story of a pastor who spent Maundy Thursday around a bonfire in the woods drinking beer and bourbon.
Mar 28, 202408:26
136. Special: “Love Cut the Rope: The Tragic Tale of Judas”
Special audio presentation of my original short story on the tragic fate of Judas Iscariot.
Mar 26, 202435:33
135. Behind the Book: Judas & Suicide
A behind-the-scenes glimpse at the writing of my short story dealing with the heavy topic of suicide and Judas Iscariot.
Mar 25, 202414:09
134. Special: “The Knotty Tale of the Cursed Fig Tree”
In this dramatic reading, I share how Jesus’ fate was strangely intertwined with the fate of the old fig tree that he cursed on his way into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Mar 21, 202422:19
133. Personal Update: Creative Juices
In this episode, I give a personal update on some exciting projects happening at Kingdom Harbor, and what God’s doing in my own soul.
Mar 19, 202413:46
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
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
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
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
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
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?
Lectionary text: Mark 8. Why would anyone be ashamed of Jesus and his message today?
Feb 23, 202405:24
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
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
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
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
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
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!
A Super Bowl Sunday mini-sermon! Lectionary text: Mark 9:2-9.
Feb 11, 202408:20
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
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
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
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
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
What my daughter’s piano recital and boys movie night taught me about being human.
Jan 29, 202416:54
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
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
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!
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
Thoughts on spiritual rhythms from a country club contemplative.
Jan 17, 202410:49
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
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
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
As we countdown to the new year, what really counts with God?
Jan 09, 202408:44
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