What this blog is about and what I hope it does...

I hope this will be a simple fun tool for us to grow in our understanding and surrender to God through the Bible as we connect over the web. Reading the Bible is both simple and difficult. What could be easier than opening a book and reading? Yet we've all done that and wondered what sections of the Bible mean? What's with the book of Leviticus? What is Revelation really about? Is the Song of Songs about marital love or is it supposed to be more 'spiritual' than that?

So, my intent is for this blog to be a tool that helps us in our faith. A forum for better understanding. An honest place of sharing that nurtures us as we follow Jesus together.

(There are a few resources I have included under "PAGES" that may be a helpful start, especially to those newer to reading the Bible. It's located just below this and to the right. Also included is a READING OUTLINE. If you miss a day, go on to the next rather than trying to catch up.)

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3.17.2010

READING 6 (Mark 4:1-34) Wednesday March 17

For NIV reading click here
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+4%3A1-34&version=NIV

Today we read several parables Jesus told: about hearing the good news, about sharing the good news, and ending with parables about the Kingdom of God and ways people responding to it.

What do you make of the 'secret of the kingdom?' (vv. 10-12)

Happy St. Patrick's Day.
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6 comments:

  1. DocMarch 17, 2010 at 10:29 AM

    OK , I'm at a loss.Who are those on the outside that Jesus does not want to repent and be forgiven ?????

    Also , if I may ask , what's up with whoever does not have ... it will be taken from him ?

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  2. MattMarch 17, 2010 at 2:05 PM

    I know...right?!

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  3. LizMarch 17, 2010 at 8:58 PM

    Perhaps it was referring to faith....? If you believe in the kingdom of God and all that it can be, you will experience life and all it has to offer much more richly. But for those you choose not to believe, not to seek God with their hearts, they will not know the light and love that comes from knowing Him and will miss out on much joy!

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  4. MattMarch 17, 2010 at 9:28 PM

    My take on especially 4:11-12, which are pretty unsettling: in Mark's gospel, a person is an insider or outside based on whether or not they have accepted Jesus and his message. So, in 4:11-12, Jesus seems to be saying that the 'secret of the kingdom' that has been given to the disciples is Jesus himself and his message, and to those outside who have not become followers of Jesus, none of it really makes sense...it's all parable/riddle because you can't make sense of what Jesus says, what the Kingdom of God is apart from Jesus himself! And, the weird v. 12 simply means that God has established that there is no understanding or forgiveness apart from Jesus...at least that's my take.

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  5. Jayne ShadowMarch 19, 2010 at 7:15 AM

    Dan and I have been struggling with some friends of ours that say that they are "Christians", but who really are non-believers. We have tried talking to them about our faith, but it does not make sense to them. I totally get what Jesus is saying here. Once you know him, it is difficult to speak to others about Him. Weird, but true. My life no longer makes sense to my friends, because we aren't living for the same things. This is not an excuse to stop spreading the word. In fact, we are given explicit instructions to do that in the Great Commission. I think that Jesus is giving us advice to plant the seeds of faith. Non-believers will have to come to their own knowledge of Christ through Him. We are only asked to plant the seeds (Jesus tells parables) and live by example (He is our example).

    Am I way off, here?

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  6. DarlaMarch 23, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    This passage is unsettling to me. Whenever I don't understand something I wonder if I don't understand because I snuck in and I wasn't supposed to be one of God's children.

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