Purpose and Vision

We will use this post for the next two weeks as we discuss the purpose and vision of the church. The Bible says some specific things about the responsibility the church has as it represents the body of Christ in the world. It's good to review these fundamentals as we start a new year. As you read the Scriptures, ask yourself, "How are we doing?" Are there areas in which we need to focus or refocus our attention? Use this discussion as an opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas about the past and the future.

Christmas Chat Week 4

Where did the year go?

Thanks for participating in the Christmas reading. Post your insights and questions for this final week...or feel free to share some Christmas thoughts and memories. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Chat Week 3

This week's message will be titled, "Not Your Average Joe". We will be talking about Joseph's role in the birth story. Please, post your thoughts and questions from this week's reading, as well as any follow-up questions re: Sunday's talk. God bless!

Christmas Chat Week 2

I think this week's readings will go much easier. Still, I appreciate your comments and feedback.

This Sunday we will be discussing Mary's proper place in history. She was chosen and blessed. There is much to appreciate about her life. For centuries, the Church has struggled to find the proper place for her. This is most visible in the differing views of Catholics and Protestants. Although not necessarily specific to this week's reading, I would love to know your questions (if you have any) about Mary and the way she is viewed by both Catholics and Protestants.

Christmas Chat Week 1

Thanks for all your input and discussion during the "Mark: My Words" campaign. It was a great success. In fact, it worked so well we are continuing with the blog. We will once again be following the reading plan posted at www.fourseasonschurch.org. During the next four weeks we will be studying the Christmas story. On Sundays we will be talking specifically about the experiences of Joseph and Mary.

Our readings for this week begin in the Old Testament, where we read of an important promise made to David.

Mark 16

Well friends, it's been a fun trip through the Gospel of Mark. I've had fun over the past 15 weeks chatting about this book. In light of the success of "Mark: My Words" we will be doing more blogs in the future...so stay tuned!

Mark 16 is the dramatic conclusion to this biography of Christ. Are there really any better words than, "He has been resurrected!" (v. 6) Our Savior lives! This truly is the Good News. Mark 16 also contains what has become some controversial teaching, especially in our part of the country, Appalachia more specifically (see vv. 17-18). While we often make jokes, there are churches today that still practice snake handling and poison drinking. Depending on your translation however, you may notice something unique about vv. 9-20. These verses may be bracketed, or there may be special footnotes. This is becuase these verses are not contained in the oldest, most reliable Biblical manuscripts. This means that vv. 9-20 are most likely later additions. But why? Some think that Mark ends a bit abruptly. Imagine that Mark 16 actually ended with v. 8. Do you think the story is complete?

Mark 15

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" For many years those words perplexed me. As I've come to a greater understanding of theology, I can now say I appreciate their significance. What do you think about Jesus' words? Do they make sense? Why did Jesus say them? What are your thoughts?

Mark 14

Things begin moving quickly in chapter 14. The Last Supper, Jesus' arrest, and Peter's denial of Christ all happen in this chapter. Post your thoughts and questions. We learn better together.

Mark 13

AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!! We are on our final reading plan. That's exciting and sad all at once. What a fun journey this has been.

Mark 13 is a prophetic passage and should give us lots of interesting stuff to talk about. I can't preach about all of it on Sunday, so this forum may be useful for answering some questions. I'll leave it at that and let the fun begin. Have a blessed week!

Mark 12

Most notable in Mark 12 is the the giving of the Great Commandment. Of course, it wasn't so much given as remembered or clarified. It's amazing how something so seemingly simple, "Love God and love your neighbor," (my paraphrase) could get so complicated. Faith is simple. Religion is not. May God help us be people of faith.

Mark 11

Sorry for the delay in getting this post up. I'm having a busy week. Still, taking time to read the Word always has a way of releasing tension. It also keeps me grounded and dependent on the Lord. I hope you receive encouragement this week by spending time reading and praying. In fact, prayer is a focal point of the chapter. May God bless you this week.

Mark 10

We are in double digits! Chapter 10 contains a very familiar story to most of us. It's commonly called the "The Rich Young Ruler." It's from this story that we get the oft' repeated verse, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingodom of God." (10:25) While I agree that it is difficult for the rich to arrange their priorities, I think verse 27 is really the moral of the story. "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Mark 9

Ever had a "mountain top" experience? You know, those special times of intimacy with the Lord; times when the Lord feels so close that you wonder why you ever have doubts. Well, in Mark 9 we read of perhaps the greatest mountain top experience ever, what is often referred to as the Transfiguration. The passage receives this title because in it we read of Jesus being transformed (or transfigured) into his glorified resurrection state. He becomes indescribably white. He is also visited by Moses and Elijah. Peter was so awed by the experience that he wanted to set up tabernacles (tents) so that they could all stay together on the mountain. The Scripture seems to indicate that this idea comes to Peter because in his amazement, he can't think of anything else to say or do. What do you think about Peter's response? How do you think you would have responded?

Mark 8

Welcome to Mark 8! Chapter 8 is the halfway point in the gospel. There are lots of great things to comment on in the chapter. I look forward to reading your thoughts. I especially love the opening interaction between Jesus and the disciples. After feeding the 5000, and then 4000, the disciples seem perplexed at how to stretch one loaf of bread between them. As much as I would like to mock the disciples, I think we often do the same thing. The Lord will bless us with a great financial gift for our ministry, yet moments later it seems we will worry about support. This is true of our personal finances as well. I'm sure there are times Jesus looks at us and says, "Don't you understand yet?" (Mark 8:21)

Mark 7

The first reading for this week is actually associated with Mark 6. I had too many good things related to Mark 6 to fit into a week, so I figured we could simply run into this week. Day two's reading finally gets us to Mark 7. The chapter starts with some good teaching about the dangers of tradition. Can anyone relate to that? I know our church is young, but these problems can take hold quickly if we are not careful. I pray our hearts will always pursue the will of the Lord alone.

Mark 6

I don't have power yet...but Jesus does! I don't know if or when I'll be able to get back to the blog (thanks Joe and Vicky for access to a computer!), but I wanted to open up a Mark 6 stream. Feel free to leave your thoughts. It's more good stuff!

Mark 5

Great teaching Sunday J! What a great message. I should note that the next four weeks of readings are posted on the church website if you need them. I will be on vacation this week, but am hopeful that I will be able to check in from time to time. As we move into our second month, I want to encourage everyone to keep up with the reading. I agree with Carl who has mentioned several times that this is better when done together!

Have a great and blessed week!

Mark 4

Mark 4 is primarily a collection of parables, or stories Jesus used to teach and illustrate. The chapter closes with a narrative telling of the disciples fear in the midst of a storm. As I read Mark 4 this morning, my mind was drawn to Hurricane Gustav. I imagined the disciples riding out the storm in some house or hotel on the Gulf, perhaps even on one of those oil rigs. Understandably, they are afraid. Where is Jesus? Asleep. Maybe that's not an exact parallel, but my mind couldn't help going there.

What are your impressions of this chapter? Do any of the parables really resonate with you?

Mark 3

I mentioned on Sunday three things to keep an eye out for as we read. I thought it might good to list these here as a reminder. First, Jesus is always teaching about the nature of the Kingdom and how it differed from the people's expectations. Take note of these descriptions and see how they might be applied to the church. How are these descriptions different or similar to your own expectations? Second, Jesus' divinity and authority are often presented. Some of these affirmations are straightforward, others are more subtle. Often, Jesus says and does things that are only possible if He is God. Third, although Jesus teaches often to crowds, we also see Him making a deeper investment in a few. Notice in Mark 3 He chooses the 12 "to be with Him." (3:14). Pay special attention to Jesus' teaching of the disciples. How can we apply these lessons in our own Spiritual walk?

I'm looking forward to another great week! God bless!

Mark 2

Welcome to the second week of our adventure! This week, in addition to reading from the Gospels, we will also be reading from the Old Testament and the book of Hebrews. I noticed some good comments about Leviticus by Bob on the Mark 1 stream, be sure to check them out. The first story in Mark 2 is about some friends who are determined to take their paralyzed friend to see Jesus. As I was reading, I was amazed that Jesus forgave and healed the man based not only on his faith (the paralyzed man's faith), but as a result of seeing their faith. What a wonderful picture of intercession!

Please post your own comments and questions to this week's readings. The responses so far have been great. If you're checking this out for the first time, please, leave a comment and join the discussion!

Mark 1

Hello everyone. Just curious who's on board with the reading? Any initial thoughts or questions?

Welcome!

Welcome to the "Mark: My Words" blog! "Mark: My Words" is a new teaching series of Four Seasons Community Church that will take us through the book of Mark. My name is Pastor Mike (actually everyone just calls me Mike) and I will be the host for this blog. As part of the series, we have asked our church attenders to join us in reading through the book a chapter a week. Additional Scripture reading has also been suggested to supplement the teaching. For a listing of the readings, you can visit our church website, www.fourseasonschurch.org. It's my hope to use this forum as an avenue for people to ask questions and share insights. I will also ask some questions from time to time to spur on the conversation. I look forward to the coming weeks as we learn together. God bless!