Author Archives: Mark

Caught in the Storm

Posted on October 19, 2020 by Mark

Darkness was setting in as Jesus’ disciples launched their boat onto the open waters of the Sea of Galilee. After miraculously feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people, Jesus had instructed the disciples to cross the sea and return … Continue reading →

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Living by Faith in Uncertain Times

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Mark

We are living in the midst of a host of uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic.  People are isolating and hoarding.  Schools and establishments are being closed and events cancelled.  How serious is this?  Well, they’ve cancelled school, college, and … Continue reading →

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“We Will Not Quit!”

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Mark

The parable of Jesus in Luke 18:1-8 has been titled “The Unjust Judge” and “The Persistent Widow. Which is it? Is the parable about an unjust judge or is it about a persistent widow? It’s about both and if we … Continue reading →

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“Nothing in My Hands I Bring”

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Mark

Martin Luther died a public death.  His death was not public in the same way as his hero John Huss’ death was 131 years earlier.  Huss was condemned a heretic by the Council of Constance, handed over to the civil authorities, and publicly burned … Continue reading →

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Reflections on Church Attendance

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Mark

It is no secret that Americans do not attend church as much as they once did.  Whether Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, or Evangelical, attendance patterns overall are down.  Just over a year ago, The Pew Research Center published a report titled … Continue reading →

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The Anger and Anguish of God

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Mark

Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet because he ministered during times that triggered painful emotions.  But Jeremiah was only reflecting the emotions of the God he represented.  Jeremiah’s anger reflected God’s anger.  Jeremiah’s anguish was God’s anguish.  God’s people, Israel and … Continue reading →

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Time-Out!

Posted on April 29, 2017 by Mark

I played basketball in high school.  I remember the conditioning we went through, including stair-laps around the gym and the infamous “killers,” which were sprints that began and ended with jumping.  I remember our coach timing those and making us continue … Continue reading →

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Why Is It So Hard?

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Mark

Why is it so hard to reach religious people with the gospel?  I’m talking about good, upright, moral, people?  Perhaps you can recall times you engaged one of these individuals in conversation, and the door opened to share the gospel.  But in the … Continue reading →

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A Nativity of Imagination or Reality?

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Mark

The Gospels provide two nativity scenes. Luke’s gospel tells of humble shepherds heeding the instruction of an angel and worshipping the Christ Child as He lay in a manger in Bethlehem. Matthew’s gospel tells of reputable magi following a star to Bethlehem and worshipping … Continue reading →

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Conscience and the 2016 Election

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Mark

The 2016 presidential election in America is a mess.  I have never witnessed an election where the top two candidates were so thoroughly disliked by the electorate.  Conversations regarding this election, verbal and written, casual and formal, struggle to maintain calmness and civility.  … Continue reading →

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