Flipping Tables

This episode flows right out of my personal walk with the Lord. Even though we're in a Mark series, we're going to take a side trip to Matthew. I personally needed to be reminded that an ordinary guy with growing faith also walked on water. I needed to spend some time in Matthew's account. My prayer is: Teach me to value the times my faith sinks. This is when I regain focus on Jesus. He's the one who does the doing. "Help me, Lord" is always a good prayer to pray.

We give lots of shout outs to Beth Moore in this episode. I saw her recently in Lexington, and Twila shares how Beth taught her to pray: Give me faith and give me faith that sustains me.

Thanks friends for listening! We pray God strengthens you in our times spent together.

Matthew 14:22-32

As Kingsfishers Catch Fire Eugene Peterson

Flourish Ministry

In this episode, we talk about the jaw dropping miracle of Jesus walking on water. Who hasn't wanted to walk on water? This is one of my favorite moments in the life of Jesus. He has my heart and my imagination fully engaged with this one. I love being in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. This is what's on my mind. We use Mark's gospel for our lesson. Join Kimberly and I in Mark 6. We're so glad you're listening.

Mark 6:45-52

Job 38:16

Psalm 139:7-8

Exodus 33:21-22

1 Kings 19:11

It is Well by Kristene DiMarco

It is Well Hymn author's story

Mount Arbel

In this episode, we take a step back from our Mark series. We consider the life and ministry of Jesus. Something we might miss in the accounts of healings, miracles, crowds, and religious opposition is that the ministry of Jesus was about restoration. Restoring people from the fallout of living in a fallen world. Jesus restored broken people on His way to being broken for all people. Jesus is our only hope for an eternal restoration. Revelation assuress us, "He will make all things new." We love this, but how can we experience a taste of Eden Restoration in our here and now? I need it now. I need a way to experience restoration in the wake of desolation. I've found a way to tap into the restoration within me. I want you to know this wonderful place within you.

Luke 17:20-21

Ezekiel 36:26-27, 33-36

John 14:17-21

Ephesians 3:14-19

Welcome! I'm happy to have you at our table. In this episode, we dug into a healing Jesus did in a Gentile area that Mark is the only gospel writer to inculde in his gospel. We found a treasure in this episode. A Greek word search led me to Isaiah 35. This Isaiah chapter paints a beautiful picture of restoration that comes after desolation. When Jesus healed this man, He gave us a picture of restoration of this man. Being deaf and hardly able to speak had him living in desolation, until he met Jesus. This healing made me want to shout for joy! I know there are far better things ahead for all of us in Christ. I can't wait!

Mark 7:31-37

Isaiah 35

Genesis 1:24

One note: We had a couple of interruptions in the recording so the final edit has at least one not so smooth transition. I don't think it will steal any of your gift of joy Jesus wants to give you in this episode. Thank you for listening!

Flourish Ministry

Mark 7:24-30

In this episode, we shared some of our mama bear stories before talking about the faith of this Gentile mama, who was willing to beg Jesus for her daughter's healing. She had great faith in Jesus. It's easy for us to read this account and get our feelings hurt or feel confused over the "children's bread", "crumbs", and especially "dogs" being used in the discussion between Jesus and the woman. Join us at the table.

In episode 24, Kimberly and I chat about her recent vacation and some books we're reading.

I teach a lesson on the very familiar story where Jesus takes a nap on a boat in the middle of wind storm. Mark includes a small detail that the other gospel writers omit: Jesus was asleep on a cushion.

This would make a fantastic pillow verse! I may have one in the works.

Kimberly and I both discuss some storms that happened in our families at almost the same time. We both endured storms during early 2021, but Jesus wasn't asleep. He worked sovereignly in our storms. Jesus still speaks, "Peace! Be still!"

Jesus knows how to take the breath out of the wind.

Mark 4:35-41

In this episode, Julie and Twila recount family vacation stories and how they feel about the Fourth of July. They also have a discussion about the dreaded and unavoidable conflicts of life. Where there are people, places, and things there will conflicts and misunderstandings.

Mark 3:20-21, 31-35 are the verses for the Bible lesson.

Instagram

Flourish Ministry

In episode 22, we encounter some drama over a Sabbath healing. The Pharisee's are so upset over Jesus sabbath day healing in a synogogue. They join forces with their enemies the Herodians to plot to kill Jesus. Then the inspection crew from Jerusalem, accuse Jesus of being in cahoots with Satan in the "Beelzebub" controversy. The only ones conspiring with their enemies was the Pharisees because they are livid that Jesus doesn't observe their Sabbath traditions. They in turn make Jesus table flipping mad.

We wrap up with a discussion about the unpardonable sin. What is it? Should Christians be worried about committing it?

Mark 3

Matthew 12:24

John 16:8

Hebrews 11:6

Acts 16:31

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Thank you for listening. You're welcome at our table.

I had a great conversation with Missy Pienkowski. Missy talked about her life and following Jesus. She's one of my Flourish Ministry scholarship recipients. As you listen to her talk about her hopes for this trip of a lifetime, I think you will be filled with joy for her. Perhaps, even stirred to join her on this trip.

Missy received a partial scholarship. If you would like to help Missy secure the fundinf for her trip, you can donate to her Venmo or through my ministry.

She's a generous young woman giving her time, resources, and prayers to advance the Great Commission. She's hoping to learn and grow on this trip so that as she begins her thirties, she will be set up to flourish even more.

Venmo

Maria Pienkowski

@missyp1016

Flourish Ministry

"A Bible that's falling apart usually belong to someone who isn't" Charles Spurgeon

On episode 20, we follow the account of Jesus encountering a man with leprosy. To have leprosy meant you were forced to live in isolation. Your only community were other lepers. You couldn't go home, go to work, or go anywhere other people were. We can all agree this would make for a miserable existence. So if this was your life, but you heard about a man who could make you well, wouldn't you do whatever it takes to get to this man?

I admire the courage of this man. He risked all he had left to get to Jesus. Mark wrote that Jesus was indignant. This is a shocking word to use. We discuss why Mark chose this word to describe Jesus' emotional response to the man before He healed him.

We engaged in a conversation that made the three of nervous to have on a podcast. We talked about our personal experiences of being friends with people in the LGBTQ community. The fact that we were nervous tells me this was a conversation that we needed to have. Friends, we believe the Church has to do a better job of having these conversations. Open up your hearts and welcome people to your table. There are people all around us who would like to just be able to get in the room to learn about Jesus and what it takes to follow Jesus. What can we do to help them encounter Jesus?

Mark 1:40-45

Roasted Grape Bruschetta

IF: Gathering

July Book Club

July Gospel Challenge