Jesus

redemption
love lost and found
hope once bouyant seemingly drowned
baptized through the inferno
gold-forged now shines eternal
phoenix rising for the nations

stunning bird
and spotless silent lamb
in eternity the great I AM
yet baby clothes and baby cries
witnessed by Simeon and Anna's eyes
Redeemer Savior Word

redemption song
chorus widely heard
some still don't know the words
love sin sacrifice resurrection
unworthy - praise God for His affection

I've been studying, meditating, and writing a lot about Judges 16 lately. It's the story of Samson, a judge/deliverer/champion of Israel, who, like so many, loses his sense of mission because of his libido. All because of Delilah. The temptress. The wanton woman. The one motivated by greed. A stranger to love and honesty.

TiVo changes things, doesn't it?

I've been longing for things to be made right.

The election in Iran, the nuclear stand-off in North Korea, babies being abused and abandoned, people being profiled, discriminated against, or killed based on their address, skin color, or any other difference.

Injustice.

Makes me long for the day when justice rolls down like a flood; when the Prince of Peace establishes His kingdom.

One of my favorite portions of the New Testament is found in the middle of the gospel of Mark (8:22--10:52). The disciples are following Jesus on the way to Jerusalem and he is teaching them about just who he really is and what it means to follow him. They are struggling with what he says, as do many of us present-day disciples!

We're back with our series on Mark's gospel and today we'll look at elements in the story that highlight the motif of servanthood. (For a review, go here for part one which talked about the historical background of Mark's story and here for part two where we highlighted the motif of authority found in the Gospel.)

There is a pain that is so potent and yet so personal that words fail to describe it.

It's the circumstance whose description will never escape your lips.

You don't talk about it, but it defines you; whether you run from it, attempt to cure it, or try to ignore it.

You've tried doctors, positive thinking, dieting. All of it has failed. Then you've tried isolating (no one understands, anyway), or feigned apathy, or turned to something, anything that would help you forget or at least dull the pain.

Two weeks ago, we started a series on authority and servanthood in the gospel of Mark. If you haven't read Part I, where I introduced some of the historical backrground to the gospel, I would encourage you to do so.

Ransom freaks out whenever we pass a storm drain. The storm drains line almost every street we walk. Sometimes, they sneak by because Ransom's distracted by a squirrel or a scent. But when she keys in on a storm drain, no matter where we stand (my favorite is when we're crossing a busy intersection), she will dig her paws into the pavement, buckle down, and pull away from the drain.