Moments

  Was I Heroic? Friday afternoon before Memorial Day weekend, I planned on a three hour bike on the interstate feeder road. There is not a lot of traffic there other than the few off ramps from freeway. You just have to watch out for those vehicles coming off the freeway. I went through an industrial park complex-about a mile and a half loop-figuring to do it 2 or 3 times before heading north on the feeder road. For some reason I did only 2 loops. Out on the feeder I thought about turning right at the next crossover and pick up a few miles on the southbound feeder before heading north again. At the last moment, I decided to just go straight; keep going north. About a half mile from that intersection was a freeway off ramp and I got across ahead of a vehicle which seemed to coming really fast. Then suddenly, right me, I heard the crash, bang, scraping sound that only an automobile accident sounds like. The off ramp has a quick turn to it and the vehicle had failed to negotia...

  By the fire on this frosty morning, there is a quiet peace of Spirit - a knowing, a sensing, a loving that now permeates my being and washes over me like a gentle warm wave, tingling my soul with a delight that is not fully comprehended.    Peace and joy glow within and without as yesterday’s failures and successes softly drift away into the silent swirling fog.   Distant times are fading into hazy reflection.   The past and future are now.   All that is felt, and all that remains is this one moment, this warmth, and a love that only intimacy with God can create.     Thank you, God, for this moment in which one truly lives in life eternal, living life in You.  

  The Mystery of a Turn Not Taken The Power of a Mother’s Prayer     She always prayed for me prior to these events.   But this would be my first Half-Ironman distance triathlon, and the distances concerned her.   My mother was in her nineties and had never been real sure about triathlons.   However, having accumulated some extensive experience with me, she had always been aware that me and my activities could sometimes be a little off dead center.     The distances concerned me too, and I was more than a little nervous.   Early the next day, on the edge of a large lake, just before the start, I prayed too.     The wind wasn’t bad yet, thank God.   There was an eerie quietness to it all, like in the eye of a storm.   The long line of buoys that marked the swim course out into the open lake had given my prerace jitters a serious booster shot.   Will this ever start?   The starting gun sounded a...

  The Lady No One Could Stand   She wasn’t pretty. In fact, she had a somewhat disheveled look to her.   Who knows what her job was   where   I worked at, but she came around to transact some sort of business in my department now and then. Everyone avoided her as much as possible.   “She’s mean and hateful,” they would say.   “She’ll bite your head off. Better to leave her alone.” Indeed, she looked the part. Her furrowed brow, her large eyebrows, the narrow hollow eyes, the set jaw, all gave her the look of someone you better leave alone.   She never had much to   say, and what she did say was short and curt, in a “better leave me alone” tone.   No one could stand her.    But Something wouldn’t let me stop wondering why someone would want to be such a mean and disagreeable person.    Every time she would come around that thought would peak my curiosity.   Besides curiosity, I also felt pity that someon...

  Mark 2: 1-4 And again He entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised the He was in the house And straightway many were gathered together, in so much that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and He preached the Word unto them.   It didn't take long before people were aware of Jesus in their midst.  Don't we wish it were that way now?  Word traveled fast.  The Word was back in town. And here is that word of immediacy again -"straightway"- many came together. This meeting didn't evolve - it happened.  They moved in on Jesus and the small house and He was in quickly ran out of room.   Nothing like company barging in without invitation or notice to make you a cranky host. Folks filled up the house and even crowded around the door.   In the midst of all this Jesus never got cranky, never lost focus of His calling. He did what He came for.  He saw what they lacked and He had what ...

  That is the end of Chapter 1 of the The Book of Mark.  A lot has gone on in those 45 verses. Things are moving    quickly in "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."  In those verses "forthwith" is used twice.  "Immediately" and "straightway" are used four times each.  It starts with John the Baptist preaching to "prepare ye the way."  Then Jesus comes and is baptized and the voice of God confirms the ministry of Jesus when He came out of the water.  Immediately He is taken to be tempted by satan.  Jesus then went to Galilee and started preaching. On the shore of the Sea of Galilee He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to "follow" Him.  They Immediately left what they were doing and obeyed.   He then went to Capernaum and preached in the synagogue and to the amazement of everyone He spoke "as one with authority."   Jesus cast out the demons of an unclean man, aga...

Mark 1:42-45 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away. And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.   It is always best to obey Jesus.  The healed leper didn't.  He could have said, "I just couldn't help myself."  There are varied thoughts as to why Jesus told the leper to not tell and follow the then prescribed law "which Moses commanded."  But my guess is that it wasn't the time "to blaze abroad the matter."   But as dread a disease - socially, personally, and physically - as leprosy...

  Mark: 1: 39-41 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, if thou wilt, though canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will: be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. In the last post                                                                                     Moments: #15 - The Book of Mark - A Need to Pray (seeingglassdrarkly.blogspot.com  ,  Jesus had gone apart early to pray and when the disciples found Him, they told Him "All men seek ye." But Jesus had been talking to t...

  Mark 1:35-38 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him And when they had found Him, they said unto him, all men seek for thee. And he said unto them, let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. Jesus needed time alone and thought it important enough to get up before daylight and go to a solitary place. And He prayed.  He wasn't going to be turned aside by His present popularity.  He saw through all that and wanted quiet time with the Father.  He needed to pray.  When was the last time you were at the top of your game, that you took out early before daylight to go pray?  That is not usually when people really stretch themselves to pray.   I have a place I go to pray in the woods here, but I usually go there when my tail is in a crack, or I want God to intervene ...

  Mark 1:32-34 And even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed of devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. W ord travels fast in a small town especially about miraculous happenings.  The ministry of Jesus had begun in earnest.  It would never be the same. He and His miracles would be sought after by multitudes from now on.  He healed many and many more came wanting something from Jesus.  I wondered how many really benefited spiritually from being healed physically.  Prayers are easy to come by when the storms roll in, but when the storm is passed, the gratitude is reasserted as something achieved by yourself.  I've done it many times.  I have prayed and prayed for this illness or this or that, and when I get it answered, I  My d...

  Mark 1: 29-31 A nd forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andres, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of fever, and anon they tell him of her.   And he came and took her by the hand, and lifter her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. A fter a miraculous experience in the synagogue, Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James, and John went to Simon Peter's house.  It was customary to have the meal right after the service.  Not much has changed.  But Peter's mother-in-law was sick with fever.  You know how fever makes you feel; pretty sickly and weak.  Perhaps it was not a good time to bring visitors for the big meal.   When they told Jesus about her, He immediately went to help.  That's Jesus. He might have been tired. He might have been hungry. But there was a real need and Jesus went to fill it.  If I want to be more like Jesus...

  Mark 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. There is that word "immediately" again.  The Gospel has arrived.  It has been anointed and tested.  "Straightway" he had called His disciples have been called and "straightway" they left their nets and followed.  He "straightway" on the Sabbath entered the synagogue and taught with authority and further amazed the people by healing a man in the synagogue of an unclean spirit.  It is not surprising that his fame spread abroad throughout Galilee.  But I wonder what they believed about Jesus.  Did they think Him just another magic man?  Was He just a highly intelligent theologian?  Who was He? I would imagine many different people had many different ideas about who this man call Jesus was?   We have the Bible.  God speaks with authority there.  We have seen God work in our lives and in the lives of others. We ...

Mark 1:23-27: And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out.  Saying, let us alone; what have we to do with thee, though Jesus of Nazareth: art thou come to destroy us the Holy One of God.  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, hold thy peace, and come out of him . When the unclean spirit had torn him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? what new doctrine is this?  for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.  It seems that an unclean spirit was the first, or at least among the first to recognize  who Jesus was.  It doesn't say Jesus confronted the man with the unclean spirit but the unclean Spirit seems to be on high alert around Jesus.  The very Prescence of Jesus brought him fear.  And rightly so.   And when rebuked, the unclean spirit tore the m...

  Mark: 1: 21-22 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as on that had authority, and not as the scribes. Jesus gathered His disciples and "straightway" entered the Synagogue on the sabbath.  Things are moving quickly like in the preceding verses. And He taught.  The fact that He was allowed to teach shows that Jesus seemed to already have some authority.  But that was teaching like they had never heard.  Jesus didn't teach like  one had before.  This was not three points and a conclusion. He wasn't drawing upon other writings or what others said  as the scribes would most often do.  No. Jesus spoke with authority of one who knew firsthand: "the author and finisher of our faith." And they were astonished at His doctrine as it shed new light and ushered in the beginning of the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. "For...

  Mark 2: 16-20 "Now as he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.  And when he had gone a little farther there, he saw James and John his brother, who were also in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him Five verses and three begin with and.  That seems to convey a sense of continuing motion.  It doesn't suggest a ponderous enterprise in the calling of his closest disciples.  Jesus didn't hesitate to ask and Peter, Andrew, James, and John did not hesitate to accept.  This is quite different from what occurred in Luke 9:60 :   And he said unto another Follow me.     But he said, Lord, suffer me first ...

  Mark 1: 14-15 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel. J ohn had "preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" The message of Jesus was that the time of preparing a way is over - the time is fulfilled - what you have waited for, hoped for, prayed for is here - now- "The kingdom of God is at hand."  Repent and believe.    That is still the message of Jesus today: repent and believe.  Believe what?  Believe the Gospel, that through faith, through believing that Jesus came to die on the cross for our remission of sins. The Gospel is good news.   Repent and believe the good news, that  "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

  Mark 1:12-13 And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan: and was with the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to Him. J esus got a well-pleased from God and "immediately" He was tried, his commitment challenged, and tested.  Nothing was easy for Jesus.  In the Book of Matthew, it says He fasted forty days.  Jesus was fresh from anointing and now thrown into hunger, thirst, danger, and temptation, alone in the wilderness.  In Matthew it also said, Jesus was tempted three times of the devil and after all this is when the angels came and ministered to Him. The ministry of Jesus had a rough start.  But it wasn't Satan who drove Jesus into the wilderness. It was the Spirit.  God knows we must be tried to know who and whose we are. Have you ever been taken and tempted in some wilderness in your life?  Did it seem to come "immediately" after some spec...

  Mark: 1: 10-11   -  And straightway coming up out of the water, he say the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him.  And there came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.   I had never really taken it in how Jesus CHOSE.  He didn't have to accept His calling. He didn't have go to the cross.  But He did, and God was well pleased. And Jesus was affirmed of His calling and His choice by the Father, by the voice coming down from heaven and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. It wasn't a falcon or eagle. It was a dove, a bird of peace.  He wasn't coming to overthrow the Roman occupation of His homeland.  He was coming to overthrow the bounds of sin and separation in the lives of those who chose Him. He came as love.  This wasn't going to be what most expected, not even John the Baptist, I would imagine.   It was a big step; a step into rejectio...

  Mark 1:9  And it came to pass in those day, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan And it begins.  Jesus left his life to begin another life to give life by giving His life.  Some commentators say that the earthly father of Jesus, Joseph, had died and Jesus, as the oldest had to take care of the family for a number of years and now that period was over for Him. So given that, Jesus could now be assuming the role for which He came.  It was time to leave the safety and security of Nazareth to take His first steps to the cross.  When He returned He would find Himself rejected.   That life was over.   It was time.  It had "come to pass."   And it was no easy walk around the block from Nazareth to where John was baptizing.  Jesus had to put feet to rocks to follow His calling, His mission.  "For God so loved---"   Can we do that?  That would be hard to turn y...

   Mark 1:7-8     And preached, saying, there cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. John the Baptist lived a hard life and was up to it.  He was strong. He preached with such a power that people came from all over to hear his message, repent, and be baptized. But none of this went to his head.  He certainly didn't get rich from it.  He could have thought it a good time to take up a collection and maybe buy some real clothes and go out to eat at nice place.  John could have easily gone his own way with his ministry, like some preachers seem to have done today.  But no.   He realized and humbly told everyone that one stronger, more powerful, and with a larger message than he was coming and that  he would have to step aside when He does.   John was God's man crying in ...

A nd there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.   And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of skin about his loins: and he did eat locust and wild honey.  Mark 1: 5-6 John drew people to him; people from all over, and led them to confession, repentance, and baptism.  Why was he so effective? Just my view but it was easy to see that John wasn't it in for the gain or the glory He was that fashion conscious and was not wasting a lot on bells and whistles.  He lived hard, simply, and humble out in the harsh elements of the wilderness.  Perhaps they felt they could trust his motives of a man like that and consequently believe his message?  It was easy to see John was sold out to the message he was called to bring and consequently his message was easy to believe.   And, the people of the time and region had hoped and looked f...

Mark 1:2-4  "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare the way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the ays of the Lord, make his paths straight John did baptize in the wilderness and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness, John the Baptist, telling it like it is and is to be. A herald in some ways to the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: the good news for a fallen world.  John the Baptist was telling people about Jesus before Jesus arrived on the scene.  Who told you about Jesus before He arrived on the scene in your heart?  I remember a young man I got to know and like in one of my college classes.  I wasn't a Christian at the time.  One day I made an offhand derogatory remark about Jesus and Christianity, and he became quiet.   I know now it took all his courage but when he looked at ...

It starts out: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Chapter 1:1 The beginning but Jesus was "In the beginning" already.  I see this as the beginning of God's effort to reach down in love to redeem His children through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  To me this is heralding the age of the redeemer:  "For God so loved the world that---".   We walk through this world oftentimes unaware we are so loved by God, and we ignore or rebel against God, consumed with ourselves.   To me that is not living life to the fullest and it is eternally dangerous.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ of repentance and redemption from sin through Him, has to begin within us as well.   Where was your "beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" in your story?  Has there been a" beginning?"  Everyone who has had that beginning has a story, some more dramatic than others but just as valid nonetheless.   After my own "...

  The old country cemetery had its share of aged markers. In the deep woods of East Texas, the tall pine trees were like cathedral pillars over and inside this hallowed place.    The wind moaned as it blew through them, giving the sense  sound of a   soothing yet faraway, other-worldly place.    The names of the lives laid there under those pines left no trace of the wonders, the trials, the failures, heartaches, and success these buried souls  may have had. Now they lay here beneath the moaning pines taking their secrets into the loamy soil with them.   Who did they love? Who loved them? Now they are so silent yet once the passion of life coursed through their veins. Did it matter? Did they matter in the grand scheme of things?    Will I matter? Off to the side and in the back of the old cemetery was a section grown up in weeds. I wondered if that was a section where they buried black persons. To my surprise, one day, I was t...

  There is an old saying to "not put the cart before the horse." Sounds simple and it is, but not easy to practice.  From my own experience I find that I can sometimes begin to feel like I am the horse and not the cart.  I am the one driving things, providing the power and direction and all forward motion, any real progress is dependent upon me and my own power, my own actions.   It is sort of like God is riding, like some visiting dignitary in my cart, and I just pull Him around and show Him my world.  But the truth of this relationship reveals itself when life's road gets rough. Then I want to go back to the cart and say "God, why don't you do something?  You are supposed to be all powerful."  After an initial entitled sounding, arrogant response to hardship, reality settles in like early morning fog.  And, when pain and torment has stripped the pride away and removed the blinders from my eyes, my heart my soul, then, and only then, ca...