Posts that reference the Gospel of Mark

Carried or Carrying

There is a beautiful story in Mark 2 about four guys and their persistence in getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus. They knew Jesus could heal him. They just had to get him there. However, the crowds were huge and nobody would budge to let them through. Undeterred, they got some rope, climbed up on the roof (with their friend), pulled the roof back and lowered the man right down in front of Jesus. Verse 5 says, "When Jesus saw their faith…" Not just the paralyzed man's faith, but the friends' faith too. And in verse 12, the man was healed.

I've had times in my life when I needed my friends to carry me into the presence of Jesus. I've also had other times, when I've been privileged to do the carrying. I'd say that in the body of Christ, that's the way it should work. If we aren't on the mat, in need of Jesus' touch, we need to be lifting someone who is.

Where are you right now? Who are you carrying? Who's carrying you?

Following and Becoming

By Paula Wiseman

Our Wednesday morning Bible study group is working through Mark's gospel in our typical meandering pace- two weeks and we almost finished the first chapter. This morning we discussed what I believe is one of the most awesome statements Jesus makes in His ministry. Walking by the seaside in Galilee, He sees Peter and Andrew and He calls out, "Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of men." (Mark 1:17)

It's not, "you guys already have it together."

It's not even, "Follow me and you will become…"

He said, "I will make you become…"

Jesus was asking for surrender, then HE would do the work.

So many times we… I… see the task Jesus has for me and I shy away. "Fisher of men? I don't even know what that means, exactly. How do I start? Has anybody else done this? Am I the only one? I'm not sure 'fishing' is my spiritual gift."

I will make you become… "He who began a good work in you, will complete it…" (Phil 1:6)

He stands ready to see that we accomplish the great things He has in mind. He's waiting for us (for me) to surrender and follow Him.

Writing Update: Closer

By Paula Wiseman

For those of you who have been with me on this writing journey, we took a very significant step forward. I got the critique back on Contingency and the comments were extremely encouraging. (Thanks to J.J. Hebert of Mindstir Media for his help. He gave me page-by-page comments and a summary report, plus he was extremely easy to work with.) The issues raised are straightforward and most of them will be relatively easy to fix. That said, I’m targeting a formal submission in about a month.

If you haven’t read the first chapter of Contingency, you can here.

In geeky news, I tweaked my Zemanta plug-in so it will cross-reference the blogs I read. That way, anytime my blogging friends have a post that connects with what I’ve written, a link will pop up at the end of the post. I encourage you to check them out.

I started reading Doubting by Alister McGrath. It’s gonna be a great book. He views doubt as an invitation to grow. Unbelief and skepticism, however, are willful decisions NOT to believe.

This verse caught my eye this week- “She has done what she could…” Mark 14:8. Jesus said these words about Mary after she anointed Him with her precious oil. Whatever my limitations, situations or opportunities, I want to do what I can to honor Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you haven’t read the first chapter of Contingency, you can here.

I started reading Doubting by Alister McGrath. It’s gonna be a great book. He views doubt as an invitation to grow. Unbelief and skepticism, however, are willful decisions NOT to believe.

This verse caught my eye this week- “She has done what she could…” Mark 14:8. Jesus said these words about Mary after she anointed Him with her precious oil. Whatever my limitations, situations or opportunities, I want to do what I can to honor Jesus Christ. Amen.