Mark in one sitting (#4)

He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Mark 14:37-38

And my answer is...

Yes. Apparently. I went to sleep.

But now? I'm awake. I understand. I'm looking to be the woman you've asked me to be...
"...eager, ready for anything in God..."

Deb

Mark in one sitting (#3)

Week 3:
I spent alot of time re-reading the story in Mark 6 where Jesus walks on the water. Part of the reason was because I had an assignment...

Today was my turn to lead the Bible story part of the in-church "Power Lab" experience. And the kids "walked on the water." (A bin filled with 24 boxes of cornstarch and just enough water to make a "solid" goo. Reedy Girl, The Harpist and JenB ROCK by the way - they mixed it together by HAND!!!) The kids actually walked across the bin full of goo and didn't sink... their faces were priceless.

Mark 6:45-52 [The Message]
As soon as the meal was finished, Jesus insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead across to Bethsaida while he dismissed the congregation. After sending them off, he climbed a mountain to pray.

Late at night, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits.

Jesus was quick to comfort them: "Courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.

As soon as the disciples see that it is Jesus, and they hear his voice, they were not afraid. The walking on the water part always intrigued me. I still have visions from elementary school of the flannel graph Bible storyteller making the felt Jesus "walk" over to the boat. I can even imagine what it would be like to see someone come over to the boat at night. (Uh... yeah. I would be at least surprised, if not creeped out!)

Walking on the water... what a cool thing! So it was neat to read this story. "God can do the impossible." ...but then I realized there was an "impossible" something that had nothing to do with Jesus on the water, and had everything to do with the people in the boat. Then the last part of this passage hit me...

They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn't understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.

I don't want that to be me!


There's a lot that God does that I don't understand. There's a lot that can terrify me, or at least give me a huge case of the butterflies... To say that I have "a few unanswered questions" is a bit of an understatement!!!

But... I don't want what God has done to not penetrate my heart. I think about what I've learned. What I've seen God do in my own life. I have watched as "impossible" things happen. I've wondered at the way things work out, especially without my help.

Even if I don't understand... I want what God is doing in me to penetrate my heart!

I want to be a changed woman.

One waterlogged step at a time...

Deb

MARK in One Sitting (#2)

I forgot to post last weeks'... for September 8-14

"Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us." "Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly be rewarded." [Mark 9:38-41 TNIV]

This breaks my heart for two reasons:

1) So often we get this idea that doing things for God is "our" job... that if people don't play by "our" rules and do things "our" way that we somehow have the right to criticize them. So while we take theological potshots at one another, we are destroying our own witness. I may think Reverend Whooper is off of his rocker... I may not like the way that Sister Fake Eyelashes waves around her KJV and her bling-laden hands... and I may disagree with the politics or polity of any male OR female pastor I could name... But who am I (and who are YOU?) to critique and blame? And do I understand how my actions and attitudes can shred the credibility of what I say I believe??

2) The smallest things - "a cup of water" - these will be rewarded. They are noticed by God. And, the total LIFE experience and heart attitude of those who do even more will be judged severely. I believe that. I'm living that... or trying to... I do not want to become someone who builds spiritual machines and monoliths. Lord, deliver me from making myself into any more - or less - than what you have in mind for my future ministry!

Stepping politely off my soapbox...

Deb

MARK in one sitting

I have joined a group of people (on Facebook, actually) who are reading through the Gospel of Mark in one sitting each week. It takes about an hour (or less if you are a speed reader.) Feel free to join in...

My thoughts from last week (Sept. 1-7):

I have noted the phase "and immediately" over and over again in the past, but this week it took on new meaning.

It seems to me that this means doing with joy and obedience whatever one is asked to do next. In Mark's Gospel, it was the response of the healed, the disciples, and especially Jesus. No whining! Following and knowing that walking where God wants there is nothing but joy!

And it's just like God to put the obvious in front of my eyes... It is completely and totally applicable to my situation with many more credits to go towards my M.Div, facing life's questions honestly, wanting to be the best wife/mom/coach/Christ follower I can, and seeking to put my life always in God's hands...

Peace
Deb

My Fall Renewal Plans

I need some change of mind and direction this fall. It first came to me as I stood and watched the seagulls at the beach... And so I have two main goals for the fall:

1) Read the Book of Mark through in one sitting once each week between now and Thanksgiving and try to blog it. Care to join me? I'll be trying to blog about it every Saturday! I'll post more details on this later.

2) Prayerfully plan a "buy nothing" Christmas - and get my family to buy in on it (no pun intended!)

I have a stack of books, and I may be reading them. And then again, I may not. I need a influx of peace and hope and focus... and press on to the Calling I have in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. [Hebrews 3:1 TNIV]

As my Southern sisters say, "I'm fixin to do it!"

Deb