he don't even care/who dis is?

that day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "let us go over to the other side." leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. there were also other boats with him. a furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. the disciples woke him and said to him, "teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
he got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "quiet! be still!" then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
he said to his disciples, "why are you so afraid? do you still have no faith?"
they were terrified and asked each other, "who is this? even the wind and the waves obey him!"

heard this story so many times...read it just as many. listen to the rich texture of language. you can totally picture it.

a furious squall.
the waves broke over the boat.
it was nearly swamped.
jesus was sleeping...on a cushion.

such incredible detail in this story. i would imagine if i had been there, it would have been in slow motion. i wonder how many details you would remember if you thought it would be the last few minutes of your life.

and he don't even care.

or does he? he is the calmer of the storm. he speaks. the waves stop.

who dis is? even the wind and waves obey him.

this is true shock and awe...they were terrified.

peace to you,

scott

happy ressurection day

in memory of j.c.

we take time this week to focus on the unfathomable sacrifice of jesus on the cross. we remember the searing pain and respond to the shed blood by falling to our knees in humility. you gave so much...the least we could give is our lives. thank you jesus. thank you.
friends, take time this week to survey the wondrous cross on which the prince of glory died. respond to the immeasurable of love of god.
peace to you,
scott

p.s. enjoy this video by my other favorite j.c.

all about the green

this sunday is all about the green...
not golf...
or frogs...
or money...
the significance of palm sunday
the symbolism of st.patricks day
the sweet allure of green jello (ok maybe that's a bit much)
so study up on your palm sunday and your maewyn succat...
peace to you,
scott

riddle me this

he said to them, "do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? instead, don't you put it on its stand? for whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
"consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "with the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." mark 4:21-25

riddle me this…riddle me that…who can understand mad phrasing from this hep cat?

it seems that jesus taught in parables to make things more plain; to give us a tangible example of some invisible, untouchable reality. but this passage requires a little mind workout. i wonder if that was also part of jesus’ plan. almost as if the phrase, “if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” means…stop and think about this for a minute, or wrap your mind around this one for a second.

i love the fact that jesus’ words are not always immediately accessible. that for one to understand what he was getting at, you have to dig, think for yourself, ask questions. this is no teaching for the light of heart or weak of mind. following jesus requires all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

and yet if we come to scripture with the heart of a child…the kingdom is ours. this is the glory of the paradox of faith. a path not at all easy to figure out and live perfectly, yet so simple a child can comprehend and walk it.

so unravel this riddle for me…what is this parable all about? lamps under beds, hidden things brought to light, measures used and more for those who already have?

peace to you,
scott