More Than Bread

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How can I find meaningful connections in life? That's the vital question that Mark 5:21-34 asks and begins to answer.  I believe we were created with a connection requirement. Whether we are introverts or extraverts, it may look different but we all need connections for life. In the story we find in this portion of Mark's gospel, we will ponder the disconnections and connection points. And again we will find that God wants us in his family! So amazing.

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Have you ever experienced the power of God? That's the question this episode dives into with two stories from the life of Jesus. If all we have are these two stories, the qualifying question to "Have you ever experienced the power of God?" would probably be, "Have you ever been afraid of the power of God?" When we experience the power of God, we realize that God is an undomesticated, untamed warrior for our souls. And when we experience his power, we become his missionaries!

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How can I become a good listener? That's the question this episode ponders as we do a bit deeper dive into Jesus' main seed-story. This is some of Jesus' most foundational teaching and he gives us a foundational quality of those who thrive and leave a legacy. They are listeners. Listening requires ears, but it actually begins with the heart.

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How can I make a difference with my life? That's the question this episode answers as we look at Mark chapter 4. Jesus shares a series of stories (parables) about seeds and listening. And it's all in the context of living our lives in such a way that we make a difference. That our lives produces a 100-fold return! 

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How do I become part of the family of God? That's the question this episode ponders. Mark 2 gives us an opportunity to consider the characteristics of foes (enemies) of Jesus, fans of Jesus and family of Jesus. And here's the good news, being part of the family of God, having Jesus as our big brother, that's available for each and every one of us. You have a family waiting for you! 

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If we want to thrive in our living and make a difference in the lives of others, we need to get the "I" out of the middle of our heart. We need to make the journey from foe (an enemy of Christ) to fan (a consumer of Christ) to family (a surrendered follower of Christ). Mark 3 lays out the journey from foe to family. 

This episode will look at foes and fans.

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Most of the religious leaders of Jesus' day didn't think that Jesus was a good religious leader. He was a little bit twisted in how he led his team, the example he set, especially the rules that he followed. To be honest, if Jesus were doing his thing today, I'm not so sure that most pastors also wouldn't think that he (Jesus) was a bit twisted. But for Jesus the disciplines (rules) were only good if they led people to Jesus, if they led people to a love relationship with God. So in this episode we'll talk a little bit about fasting and a bit more than a little bit about keeping the Sabbath.

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The first four disciples whom Jesus called were fishermen, good blue-collar, well-respected workers. The fifth person was a tax-collector, Levi. I guess you would say that he was a businessman, but the people in Jesus' day would have been more inclined to call him a traitor. He collected taxes for Rome, the occupying force in their country...and he collected on commission. Tax-collectors, and dirty-rotten sinners were one and the same to the religious leaders of Jesus day. But Jesus saw something in Levi. Jesus loved Levi and called him to be on his team. And Levi loved Jesus and wanted all of his friends to know him. Levi loved his neighbors!

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This episode dives into one my favorite gospel stories. I call it "The Fellowship of the Mat." It's all about four people doing everything they can to bring their friend to Jesus. And in the end, it's their faith, not their friend's faith, but their faith, that grabs Jesus' attention and leads to a great miracle. Who are you bringing to Jesus? Who is in your fellowship?

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Matthew's gospel opens with Christmas and moves quickly into the Sermon on the Moun. Luke's gospel from the very beginning seeks to show that Jesus has come for all people. He goes to the margins of life. John starts with a miracle at a wedding because he's all about the love and delight of Jesus. Mark begins with battle...spiritual battle. We see hints of it, even in chapter 1.