Tag: gospel of Mark

• March 23, 2019

  The Joyful New

  I’m back from vacation! I had a great trip to the Great Northwest – but I’m also glad to be back. This Sunday we’ll be reading Mark 2:18-22. This text is in the midst of a grouping of religious controversies that confront Jesus in his early ministry. Jesus, from the get go, was upending religious…
• March 8, 2019

  The Power of Forgiveness

  “As high as heaven is over the earth,    so strong is his love to those who fear him.And as far as sunrise is from sunset,    he has separated us from our sins. ” ~ Psalm 103 At the core of the Christian hope, there is the promise of forgiveness from God. Sometimes I wonder if we…
• February 22, 2019

  Unexpected Authority

  I don’t know. Why is it whenever I write the word “authority” I hear Cartman’s voice in my head commanding my respect? It’s the hazards of keeping up with popular culture I suppose. Whenever we think of a king or government exercising authority, what usually comes to mind? Often, we think of violence or even…
• February 8, 2019

  Sonship and Struggles

  This Sunday we’ll be reading Mark 1:9-13, which becomes a sort of cosmic “good news/bad news” scenario. It’s not really bad news, but it’s a strange juxtaposition of a glorious moment immediately followed by a time of hardship. Life has a way of following that pattern though. As you may recall, the theme of Mark’s…
• January 31, 2019

  Mark – Introduction; This is the Good News

  This Sunday we will begin a new study in the Gospel of Mark. I am someone who believes that, as the church, it’s important to revisit the life and teachings of Jesus, just to be sure we’re tracking properly. The Gospel of mark is the shortest of the synoptic gospels, and according to surveys, the…
• August 8, 2008

  The Deeper Magic – Mark 16:9-20

  Sorry for the delay in posting this week…I have no valid reasons, only excuses. So, we’re going to finish our study in the gospel of Mark this Sunday.  It’s always sort of bittersweet to me to finish up a book.  Its a great feeling of accomplishment, but also a sadness to leave such familiar territory. We’re…
• July 15, 2008

  Who is the King?

  We’re going to continue in Mark this Sunday…we’ll be looking at Mark 15:1-20. The Jewish leaders have concluded their judgement of Jesus, and believe Him deserving of death.  They, however, don’t have the authority to put someone to death because they are under Roman rule.  Their difficulty is now to convince the Roman governor, Pilate,…