Daily Illumination Audio

"You've won a free cruise!" Yeah, right. What's the catch? Let's talk about cynicism and the difficulty of believing in the free gift of grace.

In this episode, Jeremy offers 5 seasons of life we all pass through, and the unique discipleship focus and growth area for each season. Let us embrace each season we are granted in our years under the sun. 

Why is the world so messed up?  Where is God in all of it? What role, if any, do Satan, angels and demons play in all the suffering? How do we face evil and suffering in a Christ-centered way? We are thrilled to gather together in-person again at St. Martin’s beginning this Sunday at 5pm for a 6-week Bible course “God, Evil, & Spiritual Warfare” I will be teaching. Join us in person or via zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84003569838?pwd=ZTljcG9aZkwxeE5vNEFkZ2Y4eUhtUT09. Grace and peace!

Today's reflection is by Pastor Mike Fox. 

As a dad of 3 curious children, all of the new faith films being released offer great pathways into discussions about Easter and the story of Jesus. This past week we enjoyed two in particular that I thought I would recommend to others.

Jesus wouldn't last a week teaching mathematics in our schools today. His equations don't seem to add up from our earthly point of view. But God's strange math is something you can really count on for what counts most in the Kingdom of God! More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

I would summarize the past 12 months in 3 words: Dark, Cramped, and Stinky. When Jesus reached for an image to describe the passion he was about to endure, he compared it to Jonah's dark, cramped and stinky 3 days and 3 nights in the belly of a fish. Find a quiet place this evening and join Jeremy as he guides us in a series of Good Friday meditations from the belly of the fish. 

Some Greek manuscripts reveal that Barabbas, the criminal released instead of Jesus, was also named Jesus. These two Jesuses present two different pathways to freedom. Which Jesus do you follow?

Have you noticed nobody names their son Judas anymore? Before we paint Judas as the Good Friday villain, let us take a look in the mirror. 

What if the fig tree Jesus cursed could tell his side of the story? Written and performed by Jeremy, this is a dramatic retelling of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna!" during his last week, and how his fate was strangely intertwined with the fate of that old tree. Please share with a friend. More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

Jeremy looks at the two halves of life, the first half resembling the parable of the talents, and the second half resembling the prodigal's journey back home into loving communion with God. Where are you at in life's journey? More at www.jeremberg.org. 

We tend to think God's presence is to be found on the mountaintops and in the bright afternoon sun, only to discover God's light shines brightest in the darkness. Jeremy shares personally about his recurring bouts with depression. More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

Even God is not above writing a reminder on the palm of his hand. Do you know what is written there? 

What is the treasure worth selling everything to possess in Matthew 13? You may be surprised. Share this with someone who may need a reminder today. More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

A lesson from a little old lady in a nursing home chapel. More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

Jeremy shares a reality from Psalm 84 that is deeper and grander than the Grand Canyon. 

Welcome to Daily Illumination Audio! Jeremy introduces the heart and purpose of DI Audio. Leave us a message at https://anchor.fm/jeremyberg/message. 

Jeremy reflects on our earthly existence as a messy mixture of ashes and oil. More at www.jeremyberg.org. 

This episode is also available as a blog post here. 

This recording also a blog post you can read here. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://jeremyberg.wordpress.com/2019/12/17/tea-bag-faith/

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://jeremyberg.wordpress.com/2020/03/24/quarantine-letters-get-a-grip/