01272021 – Mark 1. 14-20 Do you know – the name – of the guy who first came up with dynamite? “Dynamis” is a Greek word and it means the state of that which is not yet fully realized as in – “POWER,” “POTENTIAL” — it is contrasted with the word “energeia.” It might sound familiar once you […]
01232021 – Mark 1. 14-20 Bob’s walking down the street when he sees a kid sitting on his front porch “jigging in a bucket.” As he reaches the kid, Bob stops for a better look. The bucket’s empty. He asks the kid, “What are you fishing for, son?” The kid looks up and […]
01132021 – Mark 1. 4-11 – The Baptism of Our Lord! There is a cute story that I ran across recently. No name attached. No author. It is not perfect, by any means…but it is insightful. It is from an “old Brazilian folk tale” that talks about TWIN BABIES in the womb discussing […]
01092021 – Mark 1. 4-11 Epiphany I Nothing is said, about any CONVERSATIONS between JESUS and the BAPTIZER. Mark is SILENT on any such dialogue. They NEED not speak. No words need to PASS between THEM. Besides that, the MOMENT is not really about THEM. It is being saved for SOMEONE ELSE. […]
Mark 1.1-8 Advent II For the next two weeks, John the Baptizer jumps up and grabs the center of “the Mediterranean stage.” With MEGAPHONE in hand – he readies himself to speak. Do I press this little button here? How do I hold it? Does this megaphone make me look fat? Does my voice sound […]
12052020 – Mark 1. 1-8 Advent 2B There are numerous reasons for my love of “this particular gospel.” Remember the word GOSPEL, means “Good News.” The WORLD of the writer of the first gospel account has SOME similarities to that of our own. These ARE NOT THE BEST OF TIMES…as you well know…and certainly […]
12022020 – Keepers of the Door Remember back in the day before Covid-19? Can you remember back that far? Well, back in the day, when you came to worship…you were usually greeted by someone who would actually reach out and take your hand. Yep, back in the day, people used to shake hands. […]
11/29/2020 Mark 13. 24-37 When did Christmas become synonymous with SPENDING? BE watchful for the BEST DEALS on flat-screen televisions, for they will surely “come and go” and will “be like a thief in the night.” THEREFORE: Keep awake! And the peace and the heavenly aroma of “a peppermint mocha from Starbucks” will be with […]
07042020 – Mark 12. 13-17 “The Fourth of July” Hopefully and prayerfully THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER 4th of July celebration “quite like this one…” Parades, floats, marching bands, public fireworks display and large family reunions and cook-outs are “typically” some of the “more POPULAR WAYS” we- mark the nation’s INDEPENDENCE from Britain […]
Scary word alert… Scary word alert… Scary word alert… It’s no big thing…just another 50 cent “big churchy word” that people do not understand, stumble over and tend to turn off to – when heard. Apocalypticism Apocrypha Apocalyptic Yeah, it’s one of those strange Greek words that sneaks into someone’s vocabulary…that they use to “impress.” […]