Tag Archives: Mark

The Scribes and Widows You Don’t See

Imagine a group of people: a crowd at a football game, the downtown of a city, a congregation gathered for worship. Now pick out the scribes and the widows. And here’s a hint: not all the widows are women, and … Continue reading

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God Is Not An Equation

Like 1.5 billion other people, I am on Facebook. I currently have, uhm … { checking } … 791 friends there. And many of them are Christian. I love my Christian friends, just like all my friends, but sometimes they … Continue reading

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Mean for Jesus

(A Lection Reflection on Mark 7) Some years ago, the denomination I was serving in was in the midst of a wrenching fight. One group was trying to take control of the denomination, and they were framing their tactics as … Continue reading

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Leader, Manager, Predator, Shepherd

(A Lection Reflection on Mark 6 and Psalm 23) (also part of the Leadership series) Fire up the Google machine and put in “sheep without a shepherd,” “Jesus as shepherd,” “the Good Shepherd,” or “the Lord is my shepherd.” You’ll … Continue reading

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What If Gandalf Doesn’t Show?

(a Lection Reflection on Psalm 130 and Mark 5:21-43) There is a scene in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers where Gandalf is leaving Aragorn to go get help. As he mounts up and prepares to leave, he says “Look to my … Continue reading

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Is Jesus Calling Us To Be Superheroes?

(a Lection Reflection on Mark 4:35-41) I have a guilty habit to share: I enjoy reading adventure novels. Jason Bourne, Dirk Pitt, Jack Ryan — I buy them in paperback, and usually read them in a couple of days. They’re brain … Continue reading

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Are Christians Crazy? (Mark 3)

(a Lection Reflection on Mark 3 and 2 Corinthians 4:13 – 5:1) Yes, that’s a provocative title — as in, for most people it provokes an immediate response. Based on recent incidents reported in the media, the response “hell yes” … Continue reading

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The Right and The Wrong Way to Deny Yourself

(A Lection Reflection on Mark 8:34) Since forever, humankind has been trying to propitiate an angry god. From sacrificing virgins, to self-flagellation, to whatever gift of obligation we can think up, we keep approaching the spiritual world as something to … Continue reading

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Stop Repenting and Start Changing!

(a Lection Reflection on Mark 1:15) It’s just too easy, really. All I have to do is ask you to tell me the first picture that comes to your mind when I give you a word, and I bet many of … Continue reading

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Lection Reflection: Processing the Transfiguration

This week’s passage is a very familiar one, and has been written and preached about so many times that there is not much for me to add. I will note, though, a couple of things that struck me. Continue reading

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