Charmed

The other day I was watching Maylee from across the room.  She had taken out a book we have often read together and sat down in her little rocking chair with it.  It was an alphabet book with pictures of babies with different expressions throughout. 

Maimed

The disciples have just been rebuked for excluding another believer who was doing Christ’s work differently than they were.  Jesus continues to teach them more about why they must not be exclusive, staunch, and stuffy about the manner in which his work is done.  He also shares some in-depth insight about how to properly deal with the root sins they were exhibiting with their “I belong to the elite disciple club” mind-set:  pride and selfishness. 

Tattle Tales

“Mom!  Mia won’t let me play my game!”  “Don’t you both have the same game?  Where’s Mia’s game?”  “It’s broken.  We only have one and she won’t let me have it!  It’s mine!”  “Why don’t you share it?”  “Because it’s not hers!  It’s mine!”

Painters

I’ve spent the last three days painting.  All I have to say is, forget marathons!  Paint prep and paint work is way more strenuous! 

Ok, I lied.  I have a lot more to say than that.  Who is surprised?  =)

Painting the largest room in my house with three small children in tow was quite challenging.  It was certainly no small task.  Everyone wanted to help but no one except me (which is debatable) was qualified.  Once I began, being a painter seemed a glorious occupation to my girls and they all sought employment.

The High Road

Jesus’ actions and message repeat themselves over and over throughout the book of Mark.  The crux of the gospel is found in these three main ideas: 1. Jesus is a healer with authority over every disease, demon, and difficulty.  2. Jesus is God in the flesh.  3. Jesus will suffer, die, and rise again.

The Fight

My husband and I went to see the Avengers last night.  It’s been recorded as the #1 box office movie of all time.  Apparently, people love a good action movie with a bunch of superheroes to save the day. 

There was one scene in particular where all the superheroes were arguing.  That was precisely when the enemy attacked.  I can’t help but be reminded of that scene as I read Mark 9:14-29.

Changed

Leading up to Mark 9:2-13, the focus has been on Jesus’ true identity and purpose on earth.  We’ve seen how he’s reassuring the disciples of his Godship as well as teaching them about how he must suffer.  Jesus wants those closest to him to understand that his soon coming suffering is not a result of man’s will.  He wants them to know that he is divine and that he suffers willingly and voluntarily for the sake of the world.  He confirms his lessons through a divine vision shown only to a very few of his disciples – Peter, James, and John.