one of the first things i want to do once i am settled in Americaland is buy a copy of this song 'You won't relent' by Jesus Culture - i find the lyrics and the singing of it so powerfully haunting and it just resonates s completely with my soul in terms of catching a glimpse of how God sees me. i am reminded of this passage from 2 Corinthians 2.14-15 which says, 'For Christ's [...]
there is a great principle of ministry that you can see glimpses of in the life of Jesus: Teacher does, pupils watch. Teacher does, pupils are involved and do it with Him. Pupils do and teacher watches. Pupils do by themselves and report back to teacher. Then later the pupils find their own pupils and the whole scenario begins again. In this passage in Mark 6.6-13 we see Jesus sending the disciples out to try [...]
What i chose to focus on in this story that we have heard a lot of different preaching on, is the aspect of Jesus working out of the box in a sense and challenging the way things work and also a closer look at the response of people to God pitching up in a very clear way which both amazes and terrifies. Mark chapter 5 verse 1 to 20. The question we are left with [...]
so there was this email, and by now i think we're all up to speed with that - this was part of it: Brett-boy, you need to rethink how you spend your energy. And here I’m speaking in particular about the humor side of your energy. To take an example: Brett, let’s be honest: your youtube videos suck. Big time. And I don’t even see the purpose in it. Will you really stand before the [...]
"the kingdom of heaven is like..." and so Jesus begins two more stories both mesmerising and confusing his audience, but definitely giving them something to think about... and these are some of the simple thoughts i had as i looked at these two brief parables found in the next section of Mark... Take a look with me at Mark chapter 4 verse 26-34. these parables of the kingdom help remind us to be filled with [...]
Continuing through the book of Mark we now get to chapter four verse 21 to 25 where Jesus has some clear instruction for us on where we should be holding the light we possess and what a kingdom way of using measures is. Take a look with me at Mark 4.21-25 to continue to the next passage and read about the secret Kingdom growth, click here.
In Mark 4 verse 1 to 20 Jesus tells the parable of the sower and the seed that confuses His disciples so much that He has to sit with them later and explain it a little more clearly to them - and even today it seems we have different ideas of what He was saying or what He could be meaning so i guess it makes sense to wrestle with it and see what makes [...]
In Mark 3 verse 31 to 35 we see a very interesting dialogue take place as Jesus is informed that His family is waiting outside for Him... what does this mean for us? check it out here. to move to the next story of the sower and the seed, click here.
if you have never watched or heard of a Brad Fish 'Dangerous Things You Can Least Expect' video then where have you been? Brad Fish is an alternative persona of Brett Fish [heeeeeey!?!] who runs a You Tube show in which he gives wise wisdom [is there any other kind?] in terms of friendly warning to prepare people from things they might have thought of as being innocent and dangerless but which in fact turn [...]
i have no idea why i start this in my cartoon voice, but if you can get past that [i do, quickly] then it is a continuation of the gospel of Mark, and a look at the first 6 verses of Mark chapter 3. Jesus does a really great thing. And the 'christians' respond in anger because He didn't do it 'the right way' - wow, this one took my by surprise a little - [...]