Jesus came to do “new” things. He was bringing new life, new love, new grace. Jesus does “new” things. The Gospel of Mark exists to help us be faithful. We must remember why it was written. Early Christians needed the encouragement on who Jesus is so they could keep moving and living out the Kingdom…

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This is a saying we have in our world. The question becomes, who is my friend. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, The Old Testament revels we must be careful…

We have a trust issue. I hear it in how we talk with one another. I hear it in the complaints of others. Every year the most ethical and trustworthy professions come out. The information is not very encouraging. We have an authority issue. Corollary to our trust issue is then who has authority and ability…

How well do you listen? I am not talking about hearing but listening. True listening is hard work! True listening is not for the faint of heart but only the courageous. Mark is trying to have us hear who Jesus is. He is wanting us to see who Jesus and be transformed. Jesus is doing something new. Teh…

We all long for new beginnings. Most people love things “new” and then when something becomes “normal” or “used” we quickly go to something else. Mark is writing a “biography” of Jesus. Now this is not the same as our biographies today nor is it as simple as this. Yet, if we understand and use this framework…

What does “evangelical” mean? It is a question many people are pondering. Is it political? Is it a religious statement? It is a culture? Churches have problems. Always have. Always will. We need reminders, often. We have short memories. The Gospel is Jesus! Nothing other. Now it is way more complex than…

We are all searching for something. The ads have told us so. Maybe we have been poked and prodded to “make a list”. Our politicians tell us we are searching for their leadership. May I ask this evening, “what are you searching for?” Our world is hurting. We have drugs, disease, division and pain all…

What is Christmas? All the great Christmas stories, movies and songs try to share the meaning of Christmas. The Advent journey ends. Today marks the final Sunday of Advent; the roughly 40 days before Christmas (truly the 4 Sundays prior to Christmas). We have continued to reflect on the age old tradition…

Journeys are important. Sometimes we need reminded the journey is just as important as the destination. Advent is a journey of expecting God to show up in our world. This is part of the purpose we find ourselves in. If we are not careful we can quickly just appear at Christmas, the same with Easter,…

What does peace look like? It is a question our world is asking Advent is hard work. The two candles we have lit so far: peace and hope, are not naturally the state we live in. It is easier, as I was reminded this week, to be hopeless and without peace. The same will be true of the other candles we will…