Mark 3:31-35

Mark 3:31-35 –
‘Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”
“‘Who are my mother and my bothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”

These couple verses resonated with me for a few reasons. The first of which, is that since I’ve been studying the concept of working together as the body of Christ (and all its implications), this certainly aligns with that. The rest sort of disseminates from there.

I came across this while reading through Mark because I love the simplicity and candor in God’s call to his disciples. ‘As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Aphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.’ –Mark 2:14.

While just as much of our life involves us personally picking up our cross to follow Jesus, I think that the same directness applies when we consider that that particular call does not mean we seclude ourselves from everyone else. Too often I fall into the convention of believing that other Christians don’t exist in the world outside my house or church. The key is becoming cognizant, that beyond those walls (be it metaphorical or physical), we need extend our limits and be willing to fellowship with everyone who makes up the body. This principle is so lucidly displayed as Jesus refutes his disciple’s statements, claiming that as followers of Christ we are all brothers and sisters.

God has designed our journey with him to be both personal and corporate. His Word encourages us to regularly be engaging and strengthening each other through our company and as followers of God’s will.

Twenty Fifth!

Woop! It's Christmas!

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

Enjoy, and praise how great God is.

Christmas, Prayer, and the like

Andy Rooney and Prayer:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect – somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

But what about the atheists? Is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority Rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away.

God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him.

So Get This..

I've actually collected, or have, or have thought 'hey that would make a good post here on my blog' with a few things the last couple days. But at present, I'm freaking bushed and need to take a nap. So maybe later today and/or tomorrow (granted, if I remember and remember them) I'll post fo' real. Wouldn't that be grand?

Darnit

Darnit. I was getting better at updating at least once a week for a while there. Alas...


Well, I'm just going to blame my computer virus of last week on my forgetfulness to update in the last past couple [weeks]. It's like when you were a kid: We'll play pretend.