As it was in the beginning...

As we jump into chapter 10 this week in Mark's Gospel, Jesus gets "set-up" by the religous folks with a controversial topic:

"Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?"

Hard to believe, but, the issue was FAR MORE of a religous-political debate than it is in 21st century Western culture. I'm sure that everyone at the Celebrations on Sunday at River Valley will have been impacted, directly or indirectly, in some significant way by divorce. I'm really hoping that God's Spirit can speak truth to each of us in an atmosphere of love and grace.

Grab your Bible and read it: Mark 10:1-12. I'm wondering what some of your thoughts and questions are about this passage.

By the way, it may be helpful to also read Matthew's parallel account of this encounter (Matthew 19:1-12) and Paul's words on marriage and divorce (1 Corinthians 7). Might be interesting to compare and contrast their words.

Also...as you read Mark 10:1...what clue is buried in that verse that speaks to context (in this case: Location/Location/Location).
Hint: What else (or WHO else) had significant activity in the area of the Jordan river?

Ok...I am such a pushover...check out Mark 6:17-20...

Upside-Down Kingdom

In Mark 9:30-37, Jesus challenges his disciples definition of "greatness."

And...I wonder....In our media-saturated world of "American Idol" wannabes, mega-million-per-year-earning sports stars, and the latest pop culture gods and godesses wooing the attention and awe of our world's youngest and brightest....

Has much really changed in 2000 years of trying to follow?