Steve Bezner
@bezner.bsky.social
Longtime pastor turned Truett Seminary prof of Pastoral Ministry. Trying to take Jesus seriously. Peacemaking and BBQ enthusiast. Author Your Jesus is Too American.
Christmastide begins today.
A feast of love and generosity that lasts twelve days.
A reminder that Jesus’s arrival is not perfunctory but transformative.
May we celebrate—and live—accordingly.
A feast of love and generosity that lasts twelve days.
A reminder that Jesus’s arrival is not perfunctory but transformative.
May we celebrate—and live—accordingly.
December 26, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Christmastide begins today.
A feast of love and generosity that lasts twelve days.
A reminder that Jesus’s arrival is not perfunctory but transformative.
May we celebrate—and live—accordingly.
A feast of love and generosity that lasts twelve days.
A reminder that Jesus’s arrival is not perfunctory but transformative.
May we celebrate—and live—accordingly.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.—Isaiah 9:2
Today, the final day of Advent darkness.
Tomorrow, a great light.
Today, the final day of Advent darkness.
Tomorrow, a great light.
December 24, 2025 at 4:16 PM
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.—Isaiah 9:2
Today, the final day of Advent darkness.
Tomorrow, a great light.
Today, the final day of Advent darkness.
Tomorrow, a great light.
I love the detail in John 20 where Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus until he says her name.
She knows his voice, and he knows her name.
Something about God calling us by name and us learning to hear Him is transformative.
She knows his voice, and he knows her name.
Something about God calling us by name and us learning to hear Him is transformative.
December 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I love the detail in John 20 where Mary doesn’t recognize Jesus until he says her name.
She knows his voice, and he knows her name.
Something about God calling us by name and us learning to hear Him is transformative.
She knows his voice, and he knows her name.
Something about God calling us by name and us learning to hear Him is transformative.
So if I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.—John 13:14
Foot washing.
It’s what Christians do.
Foot washing.
It’s what Christians do.
December 18, 2025 at 12:07 PM
So if I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.—John 13:14
Foot washing.
It’s what Christians do.
Foot washing.
It’s what Christians do.
Friendly reminder for the liturgically curious among us to cue up the "O Antiphons" each day from now until Christmas.
December 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Friendly reminder for the liturgically curious among us to cue up the "O Antiphons" each day from now until Christmas.
“I am the light of the world.”—John 8:12
“You are the light of the world.”—Matt 5:14
His light, in us.
“You are the light of the world.”—Matt 5:14
His light, in us.
December 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
“I am the light of the world.”—John 8:12
“You are the light of the world.”—Matt 5:14
His light, in us.
“You are the light of the world.”—Matt 5:14
His light, in us.
Anyone else feel an irrational pride when you make your wife laugh hysterically?
I’ll ride this high for days.
I’ll ride this high for days.
a man wearing sunglasses and a black sweater adjusts his sunglasses
ALT: a man wearing sunglasses and a black sweater adjusts his sunglasses
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Anyone else feel an irrational pride when you make your wife laugh hysterically?
I’ll ride this high for days.
I’ll ride this high for days.
Jesus: “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples.”—John 8:31
Disciples continue to follow Jesus, even when it is
“Impractical”
“Useless”
“Out of date”
“Being weaponized”
Disciples continue to follow Jesus, even when it is
“Impractical”
“Useless”
“Out of date”
“Being weaponized”
December 16, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Jesus: “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples.”—John 8:31
Disciples continue to follow Jesus, even when it is
“Impractical”
“Useless”
“Out of date”
“Being weaponized”
Disciples continue to follow Jesus, even when it is
“Impractical”
“Useless”
“Out of date”
“Being weaponized”
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.—John 1:14
December 15, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.—John 1:14
Advent joy is not naïve optimism. Instead it is borne from trust—trust in a God who will one day return and set all things right.
Until then, we live faithful to the Way of Jesus, believing it to be the true path to transformation, both within us and His creation.
Until then, we live faithful to the Way of Jesus, believing it to be the true path to transformation, both within us and His creation.
December 14, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Advent joy is not naïve optimism. Instead it is borne from trust—trust in a God who will one day return and set all things right.
Until then, we live faithful to the Way of Jesus, believing it to be the true path to transformation, both within us and His creation.
Until then, we live faithful to the Way of Jesus, believing it to be the true path to transformation, both within us and His creation.
On the third Sunday of Advent, I awoke to the news of yet another violent attack on a Jewish community.
On the third Sunday of Advent those of us in the church remember that Joy eventually comes to those in the dark.
Seems all too fitting.
We yearn for the day when You will set all things right.
On the third Sunday of Advent those of us in the church remember that Joy eventually comes to those in the dark.
Seems all too fitting.
We yearn for the day when You will set all things right.
December 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
On the third Sunday of Advent, I awoke to the news of yet another violent attack on a Jewish community.
On the third Sunday of Advent those of us in the church remember that Joy eventually comes to those in the dark.
Seems all too fitting.
We yearn for the day when You will set all things right.
On the third Sunday of Advent those of us in the church remember that Joy eventually comes to those in the dark.
Seems all too fitting.
We yearn for the day when You will set all things right.
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.—Luke 18:1
Always pray.
Never give up.
Always pray.
Never give up.
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.—Luke 18:1
Always pray.
Never give up.
Always pray.
Never give up.
Finished up with my first M.Div. class of Congregational Leadership students yesterday as a full-time faculty member at Truett Theological Seminary. As it usually goes, I learned just as much from them as (I hope) they learned from me this semester.
December 11, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Finished up with my first M.Div. class of Congregational Leadership students yesterday as a full-time faculty member at Truett Theological Seminary. As it usually goes, I learned just as much from them as (I hope) they learned from me this semester.
When Jesus wanted to prove he was the Messiah to John the Baptist, the evidence he listed included acts done among the disabled, the sick, and the poor. (Matt 11:4-5)
He listed no rulers, no leaders, no centers of power.
Go and do likewise.
He listed no rulers, no leaders, no centers of power.
Go and do likewise.
December 9, 2025 at 9:01 PM
When Jesus wanted to prove he was the Messiah to John the Baptist, the evidence he listed included acts done among the disabled, the sick, and the poor. (Matt 11:4-5)
He listed no rulers, no leaders, no centers of power.
Go and do likewise.
He listed no rulers, no leaders, no centers of power.
Go and do likewise.
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
—Luke 10:36-37
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
—Luke 10:36-37
December 9, 2025 at 12:07 PM
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
—Luke 10:36-37
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
—Luke 10:36-37
When I started struggling with anxiety, the ancient practices of the church like Advent were a source of great comfort. Maybe they will be to you, too. Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/bezner/p...
open.substack.com/pub/bezner/p...
Heavenly Peace
How the ancient practices of Advent helped me address my anxieties--and maybe will help you, too
open.substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
When I started struggling with anxiety, the ancient practices of the church like Advent were a source of great comfort. Maybe they will be to you, too. Read here:
open.substack.com/pub/bezner/p...
open.substack.com/pub/bezner/p...
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
—Luke 3:10-11
The Kingdom of God is marked by the generosity of its citizens towards those in need.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
—Luke 3:10-11
The Kingdom of God is marked by the generosity of its citizens towards those in need.
December 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
—Luke 3:10-11
The Kingdom of God is marked by the generosity of its citizens towards those in need.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
—Luke 3:10-11
The Kingdom of God is marked by the generosity of its citizens towards those in need.
Today my 10 YO niece asked what this was and I immediately turned into ash and blew away in the breeze.
December 5, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Today my 10 YO niece asked what this was and I immediately turned into ash and blew away in the breeze.
Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the dawn from on high will visit us
to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
—Luke 1:78-79
Even in the dark.
He keeps His promises.
He comes for His people.
the dawn from on high will visit us
to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
—Luke 1:78-79
Even in the dark.
He keeps His promises.
He comes for His people.
December 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Because of our God’s merciful compassion,
the dawn from on high will visit us
to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
—Luke 1:78-79
Even in the dark.
He keeps His promises.
He comes for His people.
the dawn from on high will visit us
to shine on those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
—Luke 1:78-79
Even in the dark.
He keeps His promises.
He comes for His people.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”—Mark 10:23
December 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”—Mark 10:23
Reposted by Steve Bezner
December 2, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Jesus said that calling the things of God demonic was blasphemy. (Mark 3:29-30)
Makes me wonder about those who dismiss the methods of Jesus as weak and ineffective.
Makes me wonder about those who dismiss the methods of Jesus as weak and ineffective.
December 2, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Jesus said that calling the things of God demonic was blasphemy. (Mark 3:29-30)
Makes me wonder about those who dismiss the methods of Jesus as weak and ineffective.
Makes me wonder about those who dismiss the methods of Jesus as weak and ineffective.
Hoping for Judgment Day
What the Waiting of Advent Teaches Us About Hope
substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:16 PM
"Which of the two do you want me to release for you?"
"Barabbas!" they answered.--Matthew 27:21
When given the choice, we rarely pick the bruised and bloodied Jesus. We remain convinced that the Messiah ought to look more like a superhero and less like a servant.
"Barabbas!" they answered.--Matthew 27:21
When given the choice, we rarely pick the bruised and bloodied Jesus. We remain convinced that the Messiah ought to look more like a superhero and less like a servant.
December 1, 2025 at 12:26 PM
"Which of the two do you want me to release for you?"
"Barabbas!" they answered.--Matthew 27:21
When given the choice, we rarely pick the bruised and bloodied Jesus. We remain convinced that the Messiah ought to look more like a superhero and less like a servant.
"Barabbas!" they answered.--Matthew 27:21
When given the choice, we rarely pick the bruised and bloodied Jesus. We remain convinced that the Messiah ought to look more like a superhero and less like a servant.
#Advent begins today.
In the dark, in the waiting, and in the pain, we find comfort in this:
He keeps His promises and comes for His people.
We wait, but as people who hope.
In the dark, in the waiting, and in the pain, we find comfort in this:
He keeps His promises and comes for His people.
We wait, but as people who hope.
November 30, 2025 at 1:46 PM
#Advent begins today.
In the dark, in the waiting, and in the pain, we find comfort in this:
He keeps His promises and comes for His people.
We wait, but as people who hope.
In the dark, in the waiting, and in the pain, we find comfort in this:
He keeps His promises and comes for His people.
We wait, but as people who hope.