First and Second Samuel tell the story of how God provided a king for his people. While we think of them as two books, they are in fact a single book. Viewed this way, we can see that Hannah's prayer at the beginning and David's at the end -II Samuel 22 and 23- are book ends that help us to read and understand the message of Samuel. Hannah's prayer is filled with life giving truth for us.

First and Second Samuel tell the story of how God provided a king for his people. While we think of them as two books, they are in fact a single book. Viewed this way, we can see that Hannah's prayer at the beginning and David's at the end (II Samuel 22 and 23) are book ends that help us to read and understand the message of Samuel. Hannah's prayer is filled with life giving truth for us.

First and Second Samuel tell the story of how God provided a king for his people. Three men dominate the story – Samuel, Saul, and David, but the book begins not with a man but a woman in deep distress. God wants to speak to us in our deepest distress.

Many people have thought and even felt that Mark's gospel shouldn't end at verse 8 of Chapter 16. It does not come across as positive as the other gospels. It bothered enough of those who copied the gospel to supply an ending that they thought was somehow lost. In most modern translations the other endings are printed in a different typeface and with explanatory notes. We will consider what Mark is saying by ending as he has chosen.

Many people have thought and even felt that Mark's gospel shouldn't end at verse 8 of Chapter 16. It does not come across as positive as the other gospels. It bothered enough of those who copied the gospel to supply an ending that they thought was somehow lost. In most modern translations the other endings are printed in a different typeface and with explanatory notes. We will consider what Mark is saying by ending as he has chosen.

This text is both the climax of the passion narrative as well as visual theology. With great economy of words, Mark connects these events with its roots in the Old Testament and rounds off his presentation of Jesus whose identity cannot be known apart from the cross.

Jesus having been rejected by the spiritual leadership of Israel is handed over to the Roman governor Pilate with the intent to maneuver him to have Jesus crucified. There is more than meets the eye in these events. Mark writes intending that we his readers respond to these events.

Jesus having been rejected by the spiritual leadership of Israel is handed over to the Roman governor Pilate with the intent to maneuver him to have Jesus crucified. There is more than meets the eye in these events. Mark writes intending that we his readers respond to these events.

As they leave the temple for the last time Jesus makes a prediction about its destruction. His answer is sweeping and points beyond the temple to his own second coming. Come see why we need this teaching to live faithfully in our uncertain times.