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.
His dominion is
an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed.
—Daniel 7:14
an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed.
—Daniel 7:14
November 12, 2025 at 12:19 PM
His dominion is
an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed.
—Daniel 7:14
an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and his kingdom is one
that will not be destroyed.
—Daniel 7:14
Pastoral care is discipleship.
It models Christlike character for the church, and it models how those receiving care (and those observing the care) might one day provide care if or when they are in a position to do so.
"Follow me, as I follow Christ."--1 Cor 11:1
It models Christlike character for the church, and it models how those receiving care (and those observing the care) might one day provide care if or when they are in a position to do so.
"Follow me, as I follow Christ."--1 Cor 11:1
November 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Pastoral care is discipleship.
It models Christlike character for the church, and it models how those receiving care (and those observing the care) might one day provide care if or when they are in a position to do so.
"Follow me, as I follow Christ."--1 Cor 11:1
It models Christlike character for the church, and it models how those receiving care (and those observing the care) might one day provide care if or when they are in a position to do so.
"Follow me, as I follow Christ."--1 Cor 11:1
In pastoral leadership, there are times to be pragmatic, but there should be certain principles you would never surrender, even if pragmatism demands otherwise. Once a church loses those principles, it begins to lose its soul.
November 11, 2025 at 4:08 PM
In pastoral leadership, there are times to be pragmatic, but there should be certain principles you would never surrender, even if pragmatism demands otherwise. Once a church loses those principles, it begins to lose its soul.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.—Daniel 2:21-22
The LORD, the giver of insight. Seek Him.
The LORD, the giver of insight. Seek Him.
November 11, 2025 at 12:18 PM
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.—Daniel 2:21-22
The LORD, the giver of insight. Seek Him.
The LORD, the giver of insight. Seek Him.
The vision of the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47 is a powerful reminder:
That which flows from the house of the LORD should bring healing.
Foul water turns to fresh. Life multiplies. It feeds trees whose fruit feeds the hungry and leaves heal.
The LORD is a God of life.
That which flows from the house of the LORD should bring healing.
Foul water turns to fresh. Life multiplies. It feeds trees whose fruit feeds the hungry and leaves heal.
The LORD is a God of life.
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
The vision of the river flowing from the temple in Ezekiel 47 is a powerful reminder:
That which flows from the house of the LORD should bring healing.
Foul water turns to fresh. Life multiplies. It feeds trees whose fruit feeds the hungry and leaves heal.
The LORD is a God of life.
That which flows from the house of the LORD should bring healing.
Foul water turns to fresh. Life multiplies. It feeds trees whose fruit feeds the hungry and leaves heal.
The LORD is a God of life.
A few closing thoughts on SNAP:
November 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
A few closing thoughts on SNAP:
If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
November 6, 2025 at 12:04 PM
If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
November 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.—Ezekiel 33:6
A few random things we are enjoying these days:
Show: “Mistletoe Murders”
Book: “Demon of Unrest”
Music: The Band CAMINO, Charlie Puth
Snack: Brown Butter Sea Salt Rice Krispie treats
Show: “Mistletoe Murders”
Book: “Demon of Unrest”
Music: The Band CAMINO, Charlie Puth
Snack: Brown Butter Sea Salt Rice Krispie treats
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 AM
A few random things we are enjoying these days:
Show: “Mistletoe Murders”
Book: “Demon of Unrest”
Music: The Band CAMINO, Charlie Puth
Snack: Brown Butter Sea Salt Rice Krispie treats
Show: “Mistletoe Murders”
Book: “Demon of Unrest”
Music: The Band CAMINO, Charlie Puth
Snack: Brown Butter Sea Salt Rice Krispie treats
Then all the trees
of the field will know
that I am the LORD.
I bring down the tall tree,
and make the low tree tall.
I cause the green tree to wither
and make
the withered tree thrive.
—Ezekiel 17:24
of the field will know
that I am the LORD.
I bring down the tall tree,
and make the low tree tall.
I cause the green tree to wither
and make
the withered tree thrive.
—Ezekiel 17:24
November 5, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Then all the trees
of the field will know
that I am the LORD.
I bring down the tall tree,
and make the low tree tall.
I cause the green tree to wither
and make
the withered tree thrive.
—Ezekiel 17:24
of the field will know
that I am the LORD.
I bring down the tall tree,
and make the low tree tall.
I cause the green tree to wither
and make
the withered tree thrive.
—Ezekiel 17:24
The word of the LORD came to me:
“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.”—Ezekiel 12:1
“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.”—Ezekiel 12:1
November 4, 2025 at 12:12 PM
The word of the LORD came to me:
“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.”—Ezekiel 12:1
“Son of man, you are living among a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house.”—Ezekiel 12:1
Those slain by the sword
are better off
than those slain by hunger.
—Lamentations 4:9
LORD, as we come to your Table hungry for the Bread of Grace, let us be reminded to extend that same grace by sharing our bread with the hungry around us.
are better off
than those slain by hunger.
—Lamentations 4:9
LORD, as we come to your Table hungry for the Bread of Grace, let us be reminded to extend that same grace by sharing our bread with the hungry around us.
November 2, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Those slain by the sword
are better off
than those slain by hunger.
—Lamentations 4:9
LORD, as we come to your Table hungry for the Bread of Grace, let us be reminded to extend that same grace by sharing our bread with the hungry around us.
are better off
than those slain by hunger.
—Lamentations 4:9
LORD, as we come to your Table hungry for the Bread of Grace, let us be reminded to extend that same grace by sharing our bread with the hungry around us.
I am increasingly convinced that many of the issues we see plaguing today's evangelicalism stem directly from an impoverished understanding of the Trinity.
Flat monotheism leads to a hierarchical vision.
Trinitarianism leads to an interconnected vision.
The implications of each vision are legion.
Flat monotheism leads to a hierarchical vision.
Trinitarianism leads to an interconnected vision.
The implications of each vision are legion.
October 31, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I am increasingly convinced that many of the issues we see plaguing today's evangelicalism stem directly from an impoverished understanding of the Trinity.
Flat monotheism leads to a hierarchical vision.
Trinitarianism leads to an interconnected vision.
The implications of each vision are legion.
Flat monotheism leads to a hierarchical vision.
Trinitarianism leads to an interconnected vision.
The implications of each vision are legion.
Because of the LORD’s
faithful love
we do not perish,
for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness!
I say, “The LORD is my portion,
therefore I will put
my hope in him.”
—Lamentations 3:22-24
faithful love
we do not perish,
for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness!
I say, “The LORD is my portion,
therefore I will put
my hope in him.”
—Lamentations 3:22-24
October 31, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Because of the LORD’s
faithful love
we do not perish,
for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness!
I say, “The LORD is my portion,
therefore I will put
my hope in him.”
—Lamentations 3:22-24
faithful love
we do not perish,
for his mercies never end.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness!
I say, “The LORD is my portion,
therefore I will put
my hope in him.”
—Lamentations 3:22-24
With the arrival of today's cold front in Central Texas, I am delighted to announce that today is the perfect day to listen to "August and Everything After."
October 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
With the arrival of today's cold front in Central Texas, I am delighted to announce that today is the perfect day to listen to "August and Everything After."
When I struggle to love someone, I find it helpful to remember that there are people who have to work hard to love me.
October 28, 2025 at 11:44 AM
When I struggle to love someone, I find it helpful to remember that there are people who have to work hard to love me.
Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire.—Jeremiah 36:23
Ignoring the word of the LORD has no effect on its truthfulness.
Ignoring the word of the LORD has no effect on its truthfulness.
October 28, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire.—Jeremiah 36:23
Ignoring the word of the LORD has no effect on its truthfulness.
Ignoring the word of the LORD has no effect on its truthfulness.
🚨THOUGHTS on Christians and SNAP🚨:
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
October 27, 2025 at 9:40 PM
🚨THOUGHTS on Christians and SNAP🚨:
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
1. If you want the government to pass "biblical" laws on things like abortion, then why not on feeding the hungry?
2. The Bible is filled with laws about taking care of the poor. (2,000 verses or so.)
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.—Jeremiah 29:7
Wherever you live: Seek the welfare of the city. In your neighborhood as it is in Heaven.
Wherever you live: Seek the welfare of the city. In your neighborhood as it is in Heaven.
October 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.—Jeremiah 29:7
Wherever you live: Seek the welfare of the city. In your neighborhood as it is in Heaven.
Wherever you live: Seek the welfare of the city. In your neighborhood as it is in Heaven.
This is what the Lord says: “Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”—Jeremiah 22:3
October 23, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This is what the Lord says: “Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”—Jeremiah 22:3
Sing to the LORD!
Praise the LORD,
for he rescues the life of the needy
from evil people.
—Jeremiah 20:13
The LORD: A God who cares for the lowly. May we do the same.
Praise the LORD,
for he rescues the life of the needy
from evil people.
—Jeremiah 20:13
The LORD: A God who cares for the lowly. May we do the same.
October 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Sing to the LORD!
Praise the LORD,
for he rescues the life of the needy
from evil people.
—Jeremiah 20:13
The LORD: A God who cares for the lowly. May we do the same.
Praise the LORD,
for he rescues the life of the needy
from evil people.
—Jeremiah 20:13
The LORD: A God who cares for the lowly. May we do the same.
They have not taken up cases,
such as the case of the fatherless,
so they might prosper,
and they have not defended
the rights of the needy.
Should I not punish them
for these things?
This is the LORD’s declaration.
—Jer 5:28-29
The purpose of power is to defend those with none.
such as the case of the fatherless,
so they might prosper,
and they have not defended
the rights of the needy.
Should I not punish them
for these things?
This is the LORD’s declaration.
—Jer 5:28-29
The purpose of power is to defend those with none.
October 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
They have not taken up cases,
such as the case of the fatherless,
so they might prosper,
and they have not defended
the rights of the needy.
Should I not punish them
for these things?
This is the LORD’s declaration.
—Jer 5:28-29
The purpose of power is to defend those with none.
such as the case of the fatherless,
so they might prosper,
and they have not defended
the rights of the needy.
Should I not punish them
for these things?
This is the LORD’s declaration.
—Jer 5:28-29
The purpose of power is to defend those with none.
When you pass through
the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not
overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
—Isaiah 43:2
the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not
overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
—Isaiah 43:2
October 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
When you pass through
the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not
overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
—Isaiah 43:2
the waters,
I will be with you,
and the rivers will not
overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
—Isaiah 43:2
If you betray the methods of Jesus,
you betray the message of Jesus.
you betray the message of Jesus.
October 15, 2025 at 9:25 PM
If you betray the methods of Jesus,
you betray the message of Jesus.
you betray the message of Jesus.
The LORD said:
These people approach me
with their speeches
to honor me with lip-service,
yet their hearts are far from me,
and human rules direct
their worship of me.
—Isaiah 29:13
A rightly postured heart is better than religious-sounding words.
These people approach me
with their speeches
to honor me with lip-service,
yet their hearts are far from me,
and human rules direct
their worship of me.
—Isaiah 29:13
A rightly postured heart is better than religious-sounding words.
October 15, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The LORD said:
These people approach me
with their speeches
to honor me with lip-service,
yet their hearts are far from me,
and human rules direct
their worship of me.
—Isaiah 29:13
A rightly postured heart is better than religious-sounding words.
These people approach me
with their speeches
to honor me with lip-service,
yet their hearts are far from me,
and human rules direct
their worship of me.
—Isaiah 29:13
A rightly postured heart is better than religious-sounding words.