Monthly Archives: January 2011

Mark 7: 24-37 In today’s text we have two wonderful stories from Jesus’ healing ministry.  First, while in the area of Tyre and Sidon (coastal cities in southern Lebanon) Jesus is sought out by a Greek woman who is Syrian … Continue reading →

John 7:14-31 When you first read today’s lesson your reaction may have been like mine, “There is too much information for my head to sort it all out.”  In the midst of Jesus’ arguments with the crowd in the foreground, … Continue reading →

Mark 7: 1- 23 I noticed that almost the day after Christmas, even as seasonal things were drastically marked down to clear store shelves, retailers were already putting up their Valentine’s Day displays.  All of the red hearts, stuffed toys, … Continue reading →

Mark 6:47- 56 “Walk on water” is a phrase that has long been in our English lexicon.  It is used when making reference to a person who does something that seems almost impossible, or who is seemingly perfect in their … Continue reading →

Mark 6: 30-46 The “Feeding of the 5,000” by Jesus is one of the most loved stories in all of scripture.  It has always been a favorite, being the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all four canonical … Continue reading →

Mark 6: 13- 29 We have all heard stories of despots, kings and dictators eliminating their enemies by means of murder.  Saddam Hussein had his own son-in-law killed in a mysterious accident.  The story of the death of John the … Continue reading →

Mark 6: 1- 13 Few things are worse for a minister that being asked to come home and preach in the congregation where he or she grew up.  When I did it, I’m sure there were some of my former … Continue reading →

John 5:2-18 Some of you may be old enough to remember when states and counties had “blue laws” on their books (unfortunately, I am). These laws governed what stores could be open on Sundays, and what they could sell. They … Continue reading →

Mark 5:1-20 While worshiping in the synagogue of his home town, Jesus read the following from the scroll of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to … Continue reading →

Mark 4:35-41 Don’t you envy people who remain calm and composed in the midst of chaos and horror?  Action heroes in movies are often depicted as unflinching and unruffled, even as bullets whiz past them and explosions demolish things around … Continue reading →