When we hear the word "meek" in our culture, there are all sorts of negative connotations that come to mind.  Weak, being a doormat, allowing others to take advantage of us, being small and insignificant, are some of the ways we might describe people who are considered meek.  We honor and reward people who we might describe as the opposite of meek: the powerful, those who would take advantage of others for their own gain, those who assert themselves in ways that proclaim "it is my way or the highway."  When Jesus says "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth," he is speaking of those who walk through life with a gentleness and humility that honors both oneself and others. The Gospel of Mark records the beginning of Jesus' ministry with Jesus acknowledging the presence of God's Kingdom among us, then inviting us to "repent, and believe in the good news." Repentance, it seems, necessitates a certain level of humility and meekness, confessing that we do not have all the answers and are not as "good" as we might like to think of ourselves as! Are meekness and repentance related to one another?  This Sunday's message, based on Matthew 5:5 and Mark 1:9-15, will explore these dimensions of our faith journey.  I hope you will join us on facebook live at 10:30 am.   -Pastor Derek