Mark 10:17 Have you ever buttered someone up before asking them a question for which you wanted a favorable answer? You put the big smile on your face and engage in small pleasantries before asking for that favor. Or maybe you just compliment them on something they are wearing, or on their work orContinue reading “Leading the Witness”
Tag Archives: Mark
Seemingly Good Questions
Mark 10:17-31 Sometimes questions aren’t as easy to answer as you might expect. Take the question of a three year old about why the sky is blue. We could go into the effect of wavelength and air molecules, but I don’t think most three year olds would get it. Most adults don’t either, byContinue reading “Seemingly Good Questions”
Hands on Children
Mark 10:16 Jesus took children in His arms. If this part of the story hit the news today, there would be child abuse investigations. I mean, think about it. Jesus took children in His arms. How much worse could it get! Call Child Protective Services! (In case you don’t notice, I am being sarcastic.)Continue reading “Hands on Children”
Ticked Off
Mark 10:14-15 When was the last time you were steaming mad? How often do you get steaming mad? I hope your answers to these two questions were, a long time ago, and not too often. Steaming mad raises your blood pressure, constricts your blood vessels and doesn’t allow you to think clearly. Not theContinue reading “Ticked Off”
Hands On
Mark 10:13 Most parents want what is best for their children. However, often times what they think is best is not really the best. Many parents want to spare their children from all pain and suffering, thinking it will protect them and help them to grow up. One example of the over-protection cameContinue reading “Hands On”
Children’s Ministry
Mark 10:13-16 For many people in the world today, children seem to be a nuisance. They get in the way of the fun we had planned, the independence and free-flowing lifestyle. They take our time, attention, energy and patience. They can push us in ways we never imagined possible, even to the edge ofContinue reading “Children’s Ministry”
Right Between the Eyes
Mark 10:10-12 Sometimes the truth strikes us right between the eyes. It hits us with such force that we get knocked over, our lives forever altered. We are knocked off balance and we must find a new center of gravity. We can’t go back to the way things used to be. The past hasContinue reading “Right Between the Eyes”
Just Words
Mark 10:7-9 There are few places where our culture clashes with the Truth of God than in passages like this. It lays out God’s role in creating man and woman, and the institution of marriage. There are no grey lines here, no dashes or dots, no easy escape, no get out of jail freeContinue reading “Just Words”
Exceptions
Mark 10:5-6 One of the tendencies we have is to find the exception to the rule and then figure out a way to expand them so that we can do the thing we are told not to do. We put a meal on the business expense account, even though the ‘client’ we met withContinue reading “Exceptions”
Lawful, Command, Permit
Mark 10:2-4 Our modern political speech has nearly perfected the ability to say so much and yet say so little. They can talk for hours without saying anything significant. This is especially true when they are asked a question about one of the many divisive issues of our day. They rehearse answers to questionsContinue reading “Lawful, Command, Permit”
The Arnold Journey 