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The Gospel of Mark and the Power of the Kingdom
As we read the Gospel of Mark for this week, I have worked on a theory: Everything Mark does in his gospel flows from Mark 1:15. I have no idea if this is actual or not… and I’ve not had enough time, resources, millions of volumes of others who think about this stuff, etc., to truly “analyze” it. It’s just…
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Being the Flavor of the Kingdom in this World
In just the first few pages, I am drawn into Creating a Missional Culture by J R Woodward. He’ll get to the “problems” of the church… and that’s just a big fat target. But he starts with what the Church IS… as the Lord created us. Enough of what we think the Church is NOT… too many books and blogs on…
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Don’t Settle for Status Quo Bondage
One of the notes I made on the passage in Mark 5 where Jesus heals the demoniac: “Don’t settle for letting people stay in bondage.” Sometimes it is hard work seeing people set free. It might be pray. It might be fasting. It might be counseling. It might be a huge combination of many things. Don’t give up. Don’t let up. Jesus…
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What Keeps Us Away from Following Christ?
In Mark 10 we have the story of the rich young ruler. He’s done well. He’s worked on. He truly wants to do what is right. Jesus knows it. He looks at him and loves him. He sees this man is on track for the Kingdom. But there is an obstacle. “You are lacking one thing.” I have a feeling if Jesus…
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Why Could We Not Cast It Out?
Mark 9:14-29. The disciples couldn’t cast out the demon from the boy. The father easily confessed his belief and lack of belief and asked for more. Yet… the disciples are baffled. Mark, in his gospel, leaves the disciples baffled more than the other gospel writers. One of the heart-searching things about the Gospel of Mark is how I find myself…
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The Oppressed and Spree Killers
The shootings in Aurora, CO, shock us once again. It is absolutely horrifying that someone plans that much detail just to kill as many people as possible. We will keep asking “Why” and the “why” may never come. We will have conversations about gun control and violence and so many more things. Well, we won’t actually have any real conversations on those…
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The Offer They Couldn’t Refuse
We are in the Gospel of Mark this week. Pay attention to the significant differences between Luke, Matthew, and Mark. Mark starts off like a starter’s pistol in a sprint. He doesn’t seem to slow down for anything in the first few chapters. But I want him to slow it up. I want him to explain to me how Jesus…
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The Beginning of Ramadan
Ramadan has begun for Muslims around the world. It is a month of fasting, prayer, and soul searching. It is a great time to pray for my Muslim friends. Yes… friends. I have been invited to join a very dear friend at his mosque one time to break the fast. There is a particular congresswoman I would like to invite along……
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The Things We Can NOT Talk About
In this weekend we have watched the horrifying events of Aurora, CO, and then, today, the taking down of the statue of Joe Paterno outside Beaver Stadium at Penn State. (As an aside, why is the stadium “Beaver Stadium” when the team is the Nittany Lions?) But here is what we cannot talk about due to the powers that be…
