Come

"Come! Let's sing for joy to the Lord Jehovah!" Psalm 95:1.

Yes! We shout praises to you, O Lord, the Rock who saves us! We come to you with thanksgiving. We sing songs to you! You are the Great King above all gods! You own the deepest places on earth. You own the highest mountain tops. You own the seas because you made them! You created dry land with your own hands! We bow down and worship you. We kneel in your presence, O God, because you made us. And we are the sheep of your pastures, we are the sheep you tend with your own hand!

We join in together with a brother or sister today in the joy of our great God! And, together, we give joyful thanks for his Son, Jesus, who joined us all to himself.

Elijah

"Why does the Scripture say the Son of Man will suffer much?" Mark 9:12.

Jesus asked that. Just before that, his three apostles asked him why the scribes said Elijah had to come before Messiah. Just before that, they had been discussing privately what rising from death meant. Just before that, Jesus had told them the Son of Man would rise from the dead. Just before that, Jesus told them not to tell anybody what they had seen. And just before that, they had seen Jesus with Moses and Elijah. But Jesus answered their question that Elijah had come already, but people violated him, too. Just like the Scriptures had said. But Why?

We meet with a brother or sister today recognizing sin's violence. And, together, we give sorrowful thanks that Jesus became the lamb sacrificed violently for our sin.

Transfixed

"Let's make three shrines," Mark 9:5.

So. What do you do when you're terrified? Terrified. (Not merely stirred by, but) terrified by an overwhelming spiritual experience? When, transfixed, you see Jesus, Moses, and Elijah blazing bright, talking together? Well, first order of business: contain the divine terror. Build a box to tame it. In fact, let's put up three booths. (In our ignorance.) One each for Jesus, Moses, Elijah. Yeah. Appease the deity. (But to no avail. Can't be done.) The divine terror overshadows all to thunder out its irrepressible voice: Hear him! This is my Son! The beloved One!

Hearing Jesus, we visit with a brother or sister today on our knees. And, together, we yield our very selves, heart, soul, and strength, God's temple on earth.

Until

"There are some standing here who will not taste death," Mark 9:1.

Now, that's some headline! But clearly, the sentence doesn't stop there. A clause follows. The adverbial clause (O man! not middle school grammar all over again!) explains something about the time for these folks who don't die. In fact, it kind of undoes the not dying part. But it gives a timely milestone these folks will live to see before they die. So. What's the milestone? This: The kingdom of God having come in power. They'll see it. Who'll see it? Some people standing there 2000 years ago when Jesus said so.

We, too, having been born anew into the kingdom of God, meet with a brother or sister today. And, together, we give thanks in confident hope of a share in Jesus' eternally saving work.

Crazy

"What would a man give in trade for his life?" Mark 8:37.

What a crazy question! But there's sort of two parts to it. How much money would a person pay in order to keep on living, if they could? The other way to consider the question: If a person could trade their life for anything else, what would it be? (The absurdity, of course, is exemplified by all that wealth in the pyramids buried alongside the pickled pharaohs - wouldn't they trade it all in order to live?) Anyway. Here's Jesus' answer: Trade personal will for following Jesus to death. He will give his life in exchange for that.

We visit with a brother or sister today encouraging each other to turn from the adultery and sin of our generation. And, shouldering our crosses together, we walk thankfully in the footsteps of Jesus, our Lord.

Prevailed

"Peter took Jesus aside and started to scold him," Mark 8:32.

When did you last scold Jesus for something he said? It's kind of weird to think about, isn't it? Sometimes we think how grand it would be to have been there at the time with Jesus and to see all the wonders he did and to have all that convincing proof of him being the Christ of God right in front of our eyes and we'd never have any doubt about it! But we know. We know. Deep in our own souls, we know. We'd do just like they did. We'd still want Jesus to do what we want him to do rather than what the Father wanted. But he was always about his Father's will. Not ours. Not Satan's.

We get together with a brother or sister today thankful that Jesus always turned his will over to God. And, chastened together, we praise God that his will prevailed over ours.

Triumph

"The skies praise your wonders, O Lord Jehovah," Psalm 89:5.

Yes, Lord! In the meeting of your holy ones, the skies praise your loyalty! No one in the sky equals you. No heavenly being is like you. Yes! When all the courts of sky beings meet, it is you they fear. You are far more frightening than all of them! You are powerful! The seas obey you. You crush monsters of the deep. You own the skies, the earth. And your loyalty, Lord, your faithfulness surrounds you. Love. Truth. Love and truth announce your advent. You are the shine of the humans who find strength in you. Bless you forever!

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we triumph in the might of our God. And, together, we praise him for the surpassing wonder of Christ's redemption.

Christ

"You are the Christ," Mark 8:29.

Those four words say it all. Mark's summary of Peter's speech. Those four words mean what Luke reports as: The Christ of God. And what Matthew reports as: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And what John records as: You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world. (But here worded by Martha). The Christ. The Messiah. The Anointed. The Son of God. The Specially Chosen One, but for what purpose? Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. The atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.

Having been redeemed by the blood of the lamb, we meet a brother or sister today confessing anew Jesus as God's Christ. And, together, we offer thanks.

After

"Who do you say I am?" Mark 8:29.

The biggest question ever asked. His query comes after Jesus taught like nobody ever taught before. After he announced Good News. After he exorcised demons from helpless people. After he brought sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf. After he resurrected people to life. After he fed thousands from a backpack of food. After religious experts accused him as demonic. After they dismissed him a lunatic. After they decided to destroy him. After yet others knelt before him in awe.

We meet with a brother or sister today convicted that Jesus is the Christ. And, confessing faith together, we also give thanks to God for receiving such simple trust worthy of his salvation.

Trees

"Do you see anything?" Mark 8:23.

Jesus heals. Period. Do the miracles work? Of course they do! Jesus never asks. Except for this time. Yeah. Jesus asked. And, no, it didn't work - the blind guy sees trees walking. Now the event becomes a two-part healing project. So (again) Jesus laid hands on the fellow's eyes, looked intently, restored health, and the fellow was seeing clearly. Now, how did Jesus get this wrong? Maybe he used the wrong magical formula? Or maybe. Maybe it was a deliberate miracle intentional as a parable. His dim followers needed a second continuing work to see clearly just who they were following.

Recognizing Jesus as the Christ, Son of the living God, we visit with a brother or sister today. And, together, we praise God for patiently restoring to us insight and understanding.

Perceive

"Don't you understand yet?" Mark 8:21.

We humans get worried about material stuff all the time. Worry about the bills. About winter coats. About physical health. About all sorts of stuff. But Jesus worries about the spirit. The heart. The soul. He says watch out! Don't get hard-hearted. Open the eyes of your soul. Use your ears to hear the Spirit. Use your mind to perceive. Remember! The Lord makes bread out of nothing. Rather, worry about matters of the spiritual kingdom. Get it!

As we come to understand, we meet with a brother or sister today to share God's bounty. And, together, we offer thanks that he lifts our spirits up into the heavens.

Sigh

"He sighed deeply in his spirit," Mark 8:12.

Sometimes Jesus sighed as he looked up into the sky for God's help to heal somebody. Kind of like our own sighs when we long for Home. Sometimes he sighed like when our words fail us out of our depth, and the Spirit steps between us and God with sighs beyond words. These sighs tell about deep, internal feelings so hard to express in words. And sometimes. Sometimes Jesus sighed in utter frustration with religious experts arguing about the validity of his astounding miracles.

We meet with a brother or sister today in the faith of Jesus, the Christ of God. And, together, we sigh in thanksgiving to God for having put up with our former disbelief.

Judged

"God has taken his place in the divine council," Psalm 82:1.

Yes, O God! You gathered all gods and goddesses in council and you judged them! You accused them all of their unfair judgements. You accused them of favoring the wicked. You accused their injustices against humanity. Against the weak and orphans. Against the poor and suffering. For failing to rescue the weak and helpless. Failing to deliver these from bad people. You, O Lord, judged the gods and goddesses for their ignorance of wisdom, their inherent darkness. You, O God, judged the gods and condemned them to die just as humans do. You judged them all to be no gods at all. You, you alone, O Lord, own all peoples.

With a brother or sister today we bow in humility before the one and only God of the universe. And, together, we give thanks to God for his one and only Son who made us brothers and sisters.

Compassion

"He said that these also should be set before them," Mark 8:7.

John, the apostle, in his gospel, had said that Jesus did so many things that if they were all written down he wasn't sure whether the world could hold all the books it took to write them. Here's an example of that level of detail. Crowds had not eaten for three days. Jesus feels deeply for them and calls for food. So his followers find seven bread loaves. Jesus gives thanks for the bread and has the fellows present the bread to the crowd. But wait! That's not all! They also had a few little fish. So then Jesus blessed these, too, and distributed them. At least four thousand souls had food enough with baskets full of leftovers. Compassion. Thanksgiving. Blessing. Abundance.

Answering to Jesus' compassion, we visit with a brother or sister today. And, together, we thank God he gives us a heart to share his abundance.

Dignity

"Jesus took him aside privately," Mark 7:33.

Took whom aside? A deaf guy. (Unsurprisingly, he also had a speech impediment.) Took him aside from what? From the crowd that had presented the fellow to Jesus to watch today's miracle side show. (Jesus asserted his dignity as a fellow human being, a child of God.) Then, with some weird actions and a word or two, Jesus rewired the guy's brain, ears, and tongue nerves and muscles: he could hear and talk just fine. People's amazement grew boundlessly.

Having had our own ears opened to hear God's word, we talk with a brother or sister today. And, together in thanksgiving, we speak openly of God's most excellent greatness.

Dogs

"He did not want anyone to know he was there," Mark 7:24.

He, Jesus, tried to hide. To escape notice. Hide where? In some house out of the country. On a retreat, from whom? Everybody. But he couldn't do it. Even here a foreigner, mother of a sick girl, found him. She begged him shamelessly to heal her. He said he didn't want to - not right to give kids' food to dogs. She said even dogs eat scraps under the table. He said, Done! Your daughter's demon's gone. And with that, even we Gentile dogs receive God's mercy.

In humility, we meet up with a brother or sister today to wonder at God's grace for all. And, together, we give thanks for such grace that deems us worthy indeed, Jew and Gentile, all God's kids.

Purity

"He declared all foods clean," Mark 7:19.

Jesus had already said: Everybody! Listen to me and understand! A person's spiritual health has nothing to do with food. No food we put into our mouths affects the purity of our hearts. But there is something that touches the heart. It's what comes out, not what goes in. Food goes to the stomach, not to the heart, and then passes on out. It's the stuff that comes out that makes a person dirty. That is, what comes out from inside the heart: mean thoughts, improper sex, robbing, murder, adultery, greed, and stuff like that. Don't confuse choosing between clean or unclean foods (they're all clean) with choosing between clean or unclean behaviors.

Having had our hearts purified by Christ's sacrifice, we meet with a brother or sister today to do good. And, together, we give thanks to God for turning our lives around to the good.

Religion

"Why don't your followers hold on to the traditions of the elders?" Mark 7:5.

Questions people ask Jesus. Questions religious authorities ask Jesus. Why don't your people do what our founding fathers taught? We follow the authorized traditions, your people don't. We eat minding our manners, but you don't. Because, Jesus said. Because your tradition, your religion, your culture, your worship fails. It fails God's test. It fails God's commandment. It betrays a heart dead to God. It's dead to God's own heart. It voids God's very word. That's why not. Said Jesus.

Our hearts revived by God's merciful grace, we meet today with a brother or sister. And, thankful together, we hold on to the new way of Jesus in faithfulness to God.

Animal

"I acted like an animal toward you," Psalm 73:22.

Dear God: When I was angry and sad, when I was senseless and ignorant, when I had almost lost my faith, when I was jealous of proud people, when I saw bad people doing fine, when I saw them not suffering, when I saw them healthy and strong, when I saw them without regular problems everyone else has, I then wondered why I had kept my heart pure, I wondered why I kept my hands from doing wrong. Yes, I did. But, O Lord, I also asked who else I have in heaven if not you? So, I'm sorry for my lousy attitude. I want nothing on earth, just you. Really, I am always with you! You hold my hand. Your advice guides me. You are my strength forever!

We encourage each other today, visiting with brother or sister. And, together, we give thanks for God's great mercy and kindness toward us: Thank you, Lord!

Healer

"As soon as he got out of the boat, they recognized him," Mark 6:54.

And folks went all over the place, the whole area, to collect sick people to Jesus. If he was in a village. Or the city. Or countryside. Wherever. They brought all the sick to him. They laid them out on mats in the marketplaces (the malls of the day, right?). They begged Jesus to let them just touch the edge of his clothes. And whoever touched his clothes got well. People in deep need need Jesus, the healer of all ills.

We visit with a brother or sister today recognizing Jesus, healer of all our sin. And, confessing Jesus together, we give thanks to God for his salvation.

Flabbergasted

"They did not understand about the loaves," Mark 6:52.

About five loaves feeding five thousand. They didn't get it. So when, rowing hard in their boat, they saw Jesus on the water strolling right past them against a stiff wind, they flipped out. So they felt terror like they never felt before, seeing a ghost! So they thought. So Jesus told them not to worry - it was just him. So he climbed aboard with them and the wind stopped. So they were flabbergasted. But why didn't they get it? Hardened hearts. Closed minds.

Opening our hearts to the son of man, to the son of God, we visit with a brother or sister today. And, together, we praise the Lord of skies who climbs into life's boat with us and calms the winds.

Inventory

"You give them food to eat," Mark 6:37.

That's what Jesus tells us when we tell him to send hungry people away so they can find food somewhere else. And so we tell him we don't have that much food to feed everybody, and, besides, it'll take too much money to buy it. And so then Jesus tells us to take inventory of what we do have. And then we tell him we were right, we've only got one picnic basket to feed thousands. And then Jesus tells us to organize the multitude into smaller groups. So we do. And then Jesus takes the food we found and says: Let's give thanks to God. Which he does. And then he divides the bread. And hands it out. And divides it. And it multiplies. And everybody's stuffed like at thanksgiving. Even with leftovers for later.

When we visit a brother or sister today, we thank God for his abundant provision. But, mainly, together, we praise him for the multiplied grace he distributes to all through faith in Christ Jesus our Lord. Even with grace to spare for later generations.

Bloodied

"Bring it to me now on a platter," Mark 6:24.

It? It what, on a platter? Baptizing John's severed head. That's what. A bloodied head on a serving plate. Who would've known? The girl could have asked for half a kingdom! Who would've known? Make no mistake: the ruler of this world orchestrates such evils. (That's what Jesus called the devil.) And judging by the daily news, he's pretty good at his worldly agenda. So what's God's plan to judge and destroy the devil and his minions? God allows the ruler of this world to hang his Son, nailed hand and foot, to die miserably on a tree. And for such heinous deeds, the eternal God of the universe (and beyond) assigns this temporary ruler of a temporary world worthy to rot hell-bound forever.

We meet with a brother or sister today. And, together, we marvel at God's wisdom in saving us from hell by the blood of a slain lamb. Who would've known? Amazing!

Face

"Jesus' name was now well known," Mark 6:14.

Famous. So people offered all sorts of theories about what gave Jesus such amazing powers. Some had already theorized the devil at work. But mostly, they said dead prophets had come back to life. Prophets like Baptizing John (King Herod had chopped off his head recently). Or centuries dead prophets. Like Elijah. Or other favorite saints. Really? What we humans come up with in order not to face the obvious: God at work! Indeed, Jesus stands amazed at humans: our lack of faith in God.

We visit with a brother or sister today to share in Jesus' God-given life. And, together, in faith, we glorify God who worked in Jesus' name to reconcile the world to himself.

Yields

"God, have mercy on us and bless us," Psalm 67:1.

Yes, O Lord! You do show us your kindness. Through that mercy, blessing, and kindness the world learns your ways! Every nation will learn that you save. All peoples will praise you. You, O God, do judge fairly! So the nations will be glad and will sing your praises. Everyone will. The earth yields its bounty - you do bless us! And the peoples from all over the earth will honor you.

We meet with a brother or sister today and tell of God's bountiful mercy. And, together thankful, we praise him for his eternal kindness toward us in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Accept

"He laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them," Mark 6:5.

That's right. Jesus could do no mighty work there. Yeah. He just healed a few folks and no more. And why not? Well, most of them took offense with Jesus. They didn't accept him. And Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith. So what made the difference between the few he did heal and the bunch that he didn't? Easy: Jesus gladly healed whoever believed he could. And who wanted him to. And who came to him. And who let him put hands on them. Those who didn't believe; they didn't want; they didn't come; and they didn't receive his hands. So he didn't.

We gather with a brother or sister today having been healed by Jesus' nail-scarred hands from sin's ravages. And, together, we give eternal thanks to God that he receives our faith in exchange for his grace.

Random

"And he told them to give the girl some food," Mark 5:43.

So Jesus had healed a girl from death, and returned her to her overwhelmed parents. Amazing! Yes. Then there's just such an apparently random level of ordinary detail presented that really gets me. You know, like, to mom and dad, Be sure to feed her. Or again, somebody thought to write down Jesus' very words to the girl in the old language (talitha koum!). Did we need to have these itemized? What's our lesson in these tidbits, readers of two thousand years later?

We meet up with a brother or sister amazed at the attentiveness of the scriptures. And, together, we praise God who attends to every detail of our lives, and who loves us so.

Daughter

"Daughter, your faith has made you well," Mark 5:34.

Jesus had said whoever does the will of his Father is his mother, brother, sister. What is the will of his Father? What makes Jesus call a sick woman, daughter? In this case, her faith, a faith she lived out like this: She heard about Jesus. She thought if she just touched his clothes she'd get healed. She pressed her way through the throng crowding Jesus' path. She caught up behind him unnoticed. She reached out and touched his clothes. She got well. That's what Jesus is talking about. His daughter who did the will of his Father: she believed in Christ.

We visit with a brother or sister today in a faith that moves us to go with Jesus in peace. And, together thankful, we praise God for healing us of all sin.

Intractable

"My little daughter is dying," Mark 5:23.

Words nobody wants to have to say. Any parent knows the despair brought on by a child with an intractable disease. Indeed, most any adult feels it concerning distressed children. So we get it how a dad, on his knees, begs Jesus over and again to heal her. Jesus heals her, of course, and everybody's stunned. (Thank you, Lord!) But what of the parents whose children don't get well? Who first say to their child: Hello, beloved, welcome to our family! Who must then turn around and say: Goodby, dearest one, we loved you so. (We don't get it.) So, we plead with Jesus in desperate hope of an age to come when every ill is healed forever.

We meet with a brother or sister today even in our distress, to receive and share consolation in hope. And, weeping together, we sacrifice to God the words of our confession, Jesus is Lord.

Faculties

"What is your name?" Mark 5:9.

Jesus hardly ever asks somebody their name. But here Jesus distinguishes between a man, an actual human being, who was on his knees in front of him, and unclean spirits, spiritual forces, that had taken over the man's faculties. So. The unclean spirits identify themselves: Legion. (They must answer to the Son of God!). They beg Jesus permission to enter a bunch of pigs when they leave the man. (They have no power but to do Jesus' bidding.) Jesus grants it. Unclean spirits enter unclean beasts. And they all run down the bank into the sea depths and drown. (Up against the Son of the Most High God, no contest!) No longer Legion, the restored human being tells everybody around of Jesus' deliverance.

We look forward to meeting a brother or sister today ourselves having been cleansed totally. And, giving thanks together to the Most High God for his Son's deliverance, we tell everyone his name: Jesus.

Falter

"God, hear my cry, listen to my prayer," Psalm 61:1.

We call to you when our hearts falter even at land's end. And you hear us. You carry us to a higher rock! To the high mountain! You have always been our refuge, our protection. You! The strongest tower, our defense against hostiles. You give us eternal place in your Holy Tent. You protect like their mother's wings shelter her chicks. You hear our respectful promises. And in Jesus you make us heirs of yours. Praise you forever, O God!

We visit a brother or sister today keeping the promises we have made with our God. And, together, we give thanks to our Father for hearing our prayers in Jesus, High Priest into eternity.

Hush

"Why are you afraid?" Mark 4:40.

That's what Jesus asks us when things get scary. When we say to him, Don't you care? Waves break over the bow! Water's filling our boat! We're dying! Don't you care? Yeah. So. The awakened Lord of the skies commands the air, Hush!; the Lord of the seas orders the waters, Shush! And they obey him suddenly, a great calm. That's when Jesus says to us: Don't you have faith yet? Oh, indeed, with even greater fear we ask, Who is this who's in the boat with us?

We meet with a brother or sister today calmed in our hearts from life's storms because Jesus sleeps among us. And, together, we give thanks that all creation knows its Creator.

Automatically

"The earth grows fruit by itself," Mark 4:28.

Yes, it produces automatically. That's what it's designed to do. A farmer plants seed, and the earth does its thing: the earth just grows the seed into maturity ready for a rich harvest. No matter how much the farmer worries over it, the earth just does what God made the earth to do. Produce fruit. And that's the way the kingdom of God is. Somebody puts the word out there, and human hearts respond as God designed hearts to respond. They grow the seed to rich harvest yielding the love of Christ.

When we visit with a brother or sister today, we tell the story of Jesus. And, together, we give thanks to God that God designed us to mature into the story of his love.

Works

"The sower sows the word," Mark 4:14.

Ever wonder how God's kingdom expands throughout the world? Well, that's how. Yeah. God's rule grows like a farmer's crop grows by throwing out seed all over a field. Now, related to his kingdom, somebody announces God's message into the world. Distracted listeners don't get it as Satan snatches it right now. Light-hearted listeners get it, but drop it when they get challenged. Double-minded listeners hear the message, but let the world's cool stuff suck them away. But. Listeners who so choose, hear the word, receive it, grow to bear fruit. So, says Jesus: Listen up! That's how the kingdom works.

We visit with a brother or sister today allowing God's word to land in us. And, together, we praise God who plants his message securely to save our souls.

Perceive

"So that they may see but not perceive," Mark 4:12.

This is so bizarre. (?). That's why Jesus spoke in parables. Jesus made distinction between his closest followers, the twelve apostles, and outsiders. He gave the secret meaning of God's kingdom only to them. But outsiders only got the parables. Why? Because if the outsiders got it, they might turn and be forgiven. So said Jesus. Yeah. So. After the cross, they fully got it. And after being empowered by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, they proclaimed it to the rest of us. And now we, too, can get it.

We meet with a brother or sister today having heard of forgiveness through the cross of Christ. And, together, having turned, we praise him for forgiving all our sins.

Audience

"Whoever's got ears to hear with, listen up!" Mark 4:9.

So says Jesus. But first, a note or two about words like audience. Comes from the ancient word, aud-ire, to hear. An aud-ience is a group of people who hear, they're listeners. An aud-itorium is a place where people gather in order to hear; a hearing place. So. Jesus' auditorium here, the listening place, is a beach; Jesus' podium is a boat. Jesus' audience is the crowd gathered there. Jesus says to his audience, his listeners, his hearers: Listen up! The words he speaks give life. But not if they are not heeded. Hear! Says Jesus.

We gather with a brother or sister today to hear afresh Jesus' life-giving words. And, together, we give thanks to God for giving us ears to hear with, so as to heed him into forever life.

Mercy

"I trust God. So, I am not afraid. What can humans do to me?" Psalm 56:4.

Yes, O Lord! Your mercy overcomes our enemies! When we get scared, we put our trust in you. We praise your word. Though the wicked oppress without let up, we call on you and you defeat them. You defend us. We praise your word, O God! We trust your promises. Our fear goes away. People have no power over us. We give you thanks! You have delivered us again. You keep our feet from stumbling. You keep us walking in the light of your life.

When we meet up with a brother or sister today, we turn heart, soul, and strength to our God's praise. And, together, we step forward in the peace of God's upward path.

Mother

"Who is my mother?" Mark 3:33.

Jesus' mother, with her sons, came to take him away. When somebody told him, that's when Jesus asked the group sitting around him that question. Sounds a bit disrespectful at first blush, doesn't it? And, humanly speaking, it was. Though Jesus had taken care of his mother (and continued to provide for her even after his death), he made a clear distinction between human relations whether family, tribe, or culture, and the mission he had from God. His true family extended beyond blood lines and cultural ties into the will of God, into whomever might do the things God wants. That's Jesus' genuine family, brother or sister or mother. Doers of God's will.

As we get together with a brother or sister today, we commit to God's business. And, together, we give thanks that Jesus shows our true belonging place in God who created us.

Clean

"Whoever says bad things against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven," Mark 3:29.

Jesus, you said people can receive forgiveness for all sorts of blasphemies, even for insults against the Son of Man. But not for against the Holy Spirit. That's an eternal sin. So. Movies (and most everybody's everyday usage) show people with expletives as OMG or Jesus Christ, don't they? Blatant, impudent, purposeful blasphemy. But nobody. Nobody. Nobody goes around calling out in a like manner: Holy Spirit! Because everybody's scared to death of that sin, whatever it is. Well. What it is is to assert that Jesus' spirit is unclean.

We visit with a brother or sister today to assert that through the eternal Spirit Jesus offered himself clean to God to purify us. And, together, in this manner, we do not outrage the Spirit of grace, but we praise God who sanctifies us to serve him, the living God.

Committed

"He's out of his mind," Mark 3:21.

That's what they were saying of Jesus. (So his family tried to commit him.) Why did people say he was crazy? Well, he wasn't eating. Why not? because crowds overwhelmed him for healing. Why did they think he could do this? because Jesus healed people and cast out demons. (duh!). So what does that have to do with going mad? Ah! OK. Here's the deal: the leading religionists wanted to put him away. Actually, to kill him. But being too righteous to face him directly, they spread fake news. Like: the Demon Prince powers Jesus. The gospels mince no words about peoples' responses to Jesus: crazy? demon possessed? the messiah, Son of God?

We meet up with a brother or sister today committed to God for choosing Jesus to save us all. And, committed together, we say: Thank you, Jesus, for submitting to human dishonor and dying to forgive us!

Band

"Jesus made twelve be with him, and called them apostles," Mark 3:14.

So early on, Jesus chose the twelve. This band of brothers became his emissaries, his preachers, into the world, eye-witnesses of all the things he said and did. All the things from his baptism, through his death, burial, and resurrection, including him being taken up into the sky. (One of them absented himself from the resurrection and ascension, and, by treachery, lost the place Jesus had wanted for him.) For those who hung in there with him, Jesus placed their testimony, along with prophets, as foundation for the kingdom he established. For the church he built. They, indeed, would eat and drink at his table in the kingdom and would sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And for all who believe in Jesus through their word, glory!

We meet today with a brother or sister because we have come to believe in Jesus through their testimony. And, together, made one by Christ's love, we give heartfelt thanks to God forever.

Fear

"They fell down before him and shouted, 'You are the Son of God!'" Mark 3:11.

That's how unclean spirits greet Jesus. They know. They believe. No contest. A modern song says: I know there ain't no heaven, I pray there ain't no hell. Demons have no doubt about either. All that nonsense seeking to induce fear in humans of evil spirits through sorcery, witchcraft, or whatever occult so-called arts, fails. The devil is not in charge of hell. God is. And demons know this. But humans get deceived about whom to fear. Not so demons: they shudder, hair standing on end. They fall prostrate at the feet of the Son of God. That's what they do.

We visit with a brother or sister today confident in the presence of our God. And, together, we shout praises to our God through his Son, Jesus, the Christ.

Selah

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you," Psalm 50:15.

Remember the old days when God used to be in control of the world? Before we humans took over from him? When wars over there weren't that big a deal? And election seasons featured civil discourse? And plagues were for other nations? And the only school children slaughtered were somebody else's? And climate change didn't threaten anybody? And nobody got worried about survival of civilization? Yeah. When God used to be in control. Selah. (That means: Take a measured, deep breath and breathe out slowly. Repeat.)

We meet up with a brother or sister today to call on God assured of his deliverance. And, together, we glorify him for the hope he keeps safe for us in the sky with Christ, the same sovereign Lord today, yesterday, and forever more. Selah.

Rogue

"They watched Jesus," Mark 3:2.

It's a good thing to watch Jesus, to see how he lived life exemplary of a human life to be lived. Yes. We look to Jesus carefully and see what a real human does. But that's not why they watched. No. They watched to see the unruliness Jesus might exemplify if he healed a broken man against religious laws. Then they could accuse him in court as a rogue outlaw. But Jesus asks them a question they can't answer, and he heals the man anyway. So they join their hard hearts with the right political party so as to annihilate Jesus.

We meet with a brother or sister today eschewing political factions to follow Jesus' example instead. And, together, we give thanks that Jesus' heart was soft toward each of us, broken humans.

Brigands

"David ate the bread of the Presence," Mark 2:26.

Who? David, of a thousand years earlier than Jesus. (No, not asking who David was. The Presence - Who's the Presence? - oh, sorry about that, misunderstood.) The Presence. The Presence of God, dude! The bread baked fresh daily, placed in the temple/tabernacle where God's mercy seat was. Holy bread placed in God's own Presence. Special bread to God that the law ordered only priests to eat, not even a king, or going-to-be king, could eat it. But David and his brigands did. So, Jesus went on to say, if David could eat that, then it proved Jesus himself, the Son of Man, could break Sabbath law. He is the Master - not the Sabbath.

We meet with a brother or sister today awed by Jesus, Lord of all. And, on our knees together, we give thanks to God for receiving us into his Presence through the Son of Man, our Lord and Savior.

Bags

"New wine (goes) into new wineskins," Mark 2:22.

Well. OK. So. Jesus: What's with wine and old or new bags? Backstory: In the day, they put freshly pressed grape juice into new, animal skins sealed off as bags. As the juice developed into wine, it created pressure and the skin would stretch to hold it all. But, if new juice were put into a used, already stretched out wineskin, the pressure would explode the bag so as to lose it all. Yeah. OK. But what's your point, Jesus? Jesus brings a radical new to relationship with God. It does not fit into old religion rules and structures. New relationship develops in a new covenant.

We visit with a brother or sister today growing in a new relationship with God. And, together, we give thanks as we eat bread and celebrate the cup of a new covenant.

Unhealthy

"Follow me," Mark 2:14.

That's Jesus' call. In a real sense, it's Jesus' call to everyone and anyone. But more to his point, it's his call to sinners. His call to (spiritually) unhealthy people. To unrighteous people. Healthy people don't need doctors. Jesus did not come out to call (spiritually) healthy people. He, rather, remains quite clear about his call: I did not come to call good people, instead, to call sinner people. Yeah. That's why he wastes so much time at meals with unworthies. When he calls these to follow, these get up and follow. These don't despise his call at all.

We meet with a brother or sister today and remember who we were when Jesus first called us. And, grateful together, we praise God for transforming us ever to become more into the image of Christ.

Blasphemes

"Who can forgive sins other than God alone?" Mark 2:7.

That's right. Only God can forgive sins. Oh, sure, a person can forgive sins done against them personally, perhaps, but who can forgive sins against other people? And, anyway, what human being can forgive sins done against God? Whoever tries to forgive others' sins gives insult, indeed blasphemes, God! Yeah. Except for Jesus. Jesus can forgive sins. And Jesus does forgive sins. He who died for the sins of the whole world has the right to forgive whomever he wishes to forgive. With the same authority God gave him to heal anyone he chooses to heal.

We meet up with a brother or sister today each of us forgiven and healed by Christ. And, together, we praise God for his Son's right to cleanse us from sin to the uttermost.

Sad

"Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God," Psalm 43:5.

Dear God, you, you alone are our strength! When we mourn because of oppression, you send your light and truth! These lead us into your presence, to your own dwelling place. They lead us right up to your altar, to you! You are our joy and happiness. We praise you, O God, with the harps of our hearts. Sadness passes away. We hope in you, our Savior and our God!

We meet up with a brother or sister today at the foot of Jesus' altar. And, together, we praise God that the Lord Jesus lives beyond the cross! Lives to intercede for us.

Disappeared

"That is why I came out," Mark 1:38.

Jesus had disappeared. Everybody looked all over the place for him. Nowhere to be found. But, of course, finally, they did find him. So. Where was he? Well. Where else? In a lonesome place. Praying. Yeah. Talking with God. They said: Everybody's looking! He said: We've got to move on and make the announcement to the next places. That's why I came out here, to pray about that. That's why I came out to this world, to preach the Good News.

We meet with a brother or sister today and pray for the Lord's guidance. And, together, we give thanks that he graces us with transforming purpose.

Hush

"He wouldn't allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was," Mark 1:34.

So, when Jesus cast out demons from possessed people, the demons could (and often did) call him out, loudly: Son of God! or even: Messiah! So, Jesus told them: Hush! And they did. Jesus' interests did not revolve about what demons or dark powers thought of him. No. He could order them about with impunity, however God wanted. Jesus' interests rested wholly in the state of human beings. Of human faith in him. Human belief in him. Human trust in him.

We visit with a brother or sister today trusting in Jesus as God's messiah, fearful of no demons. And, thankful together, we fear God who lavishes his grace through Christ to strengthen our weakness.

Taught

"He taught like a person who had authority," Mark 1:22.

Yeah, that was the amazing part! He did not teach like so many of their teachers did. They taught like: Well, according to so-and-so's opinion, this scripture means whatever; but according to another so-and-so it means this other thing. No. Not like that. He taught like he really knew what he was talking about. A new teaching with authority. Teaching that even rendered unclean spirits subject to his command: Get out! He said. And they got out.

We look forward to meeting with a brother or sister today so that we may joy in Jesus' cleansing power. And, together, we give thanks to God for Jesus' clear teachings.

Number

"I will make you fishermen for men," Mark 1:17.

So said Jesus. To Simon and Andrew. (And then to James and John.) All of them net fishermen. Jesus plans to take them fishing for humans. Providing they do this other thing first: Come, follow me! That's the condition. Follow after Jesus. Jesus will transform anyone who elects to follow. You know those stats in social media that say so-and-so has so many followers? Well, Jesus has a number for his followers, too. Each of them being transformed more and more to look like his own character. His number of followers is more than any human can count. (But God knows.) Because his followers keep inviting others to get caught by Jesus, too.

We join today with a brother or sister in Jesus' great invitation to life. And, together, we give thanks that his catch into eternity graciously includes even us, followers in the 21st century.

Worship

"I waited patiently for the Lord: he turned to me and heard my cry," Psalm 40:1.

O Jehovah, Lord! You lifted us up out of the mud and muck. Out of the destruction pit. You placed us up on a rock, steadied our feet. You gave us a new song: a song of praise for you! Many others who see this will worship you. We who trust in you find happiness. You have done so many wonders for us. Your deliverances give us joy. We cannot even count our multiplied blessings. Praise you, O God!

We visit with a brother or sister today to give thanks to God, maker of skies and earth. And, together, we say: Thank you!

Time

"The time is here and God's kingdom is near," Mark 1:15.

OK. So what're we supposed to do with this info? Repent! Believe in it! That's what Jesus said. Jesus heralded the kingdom of God everywhere he went. That was his message to all those peoples. Those who listened were those who repented and believed in it. In what? In what Jesus called the good news. What was the good news? God's kingdom was just about to break out on earth. Hmm. That was then. In today's now, we look around and wonder: Where? Jerusalem's a mess. Where is it? A mosque sits atop what was the temple foundations. Are we still waiting for it to show up? (Hint: No. God's kingdom of the spirit differs from worldly kingdoms of flesh. Stay tuned.)

We meet with a brother or sister today continually growing in God's kingdom. And, together, we give thanks for receiving an eternal kingdom that draws our gaze upward to God.

Sonship

"The Spirit sent Jesus right away into the desert," Mark 1:12.

What Spirit? God's Spirit. The Spirit that had come down on Jesus as he came up out of the water at his baptism. The Spirit that confirmed Jesus as Son of God. The Spirit of sonship. Yeah. So. The Spirit drives Jesus into the desert. Forty days. No food. Wild animals around. Satan attacks with exquisite temptations to power. And God's messengers, angels, help him out. To be God's child exempts no one from trials. Nor from God's deliverances.

We pause with a brother or sister today in the busy-ness of our lives to pray. And, together, we give thanks for God's guidance away from temptations into deliverance from evil.

Pleased

"You are my Son, I love you, I am very pleased with you," Mark 1:11.

Words every boy wants to hear from his dad. Words of approval, belonging, fellowship. Words a boy takes with him to his grave a lifetime later. Words God first said to Jesus. God, whom Jesus made our father, too, speaks these words to his children, both boys and girls. Words that move us to serve him all the more. But then, at that time: Words that propelled Jesus into the work of his Father, to save us from sin and despair.

We meet with a brother or sister today to remember our Father's great love for us. And, together, we give thanks to Jesus for extending the Father's love to us forever.

United

"And they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river," Mark 1:5.

So baptizer John baptizes all sorts of people. Why? because they wanted to repent. To change their hearts and minds. And while they were at it, to confess their sins. So as to be forgiven of their sins. Sometimes we who have already heard the gospel think John's baptism is the same as the baptism Jesus talked about. It is not. Superficial similarities, yes. But different substance. Jesus' baptism had to do with the Holy Spirit. John's didn't. How to know this? Baptizer John said so.

We visit with a brother or sister today and remember that in our baptism into Christ, the Holy Spirit joined us to his one body. And, together, we give thanks to God for his eternal salvation united in Christ.

Ready

"This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God," Mark 1:1.

Here's the beginning: the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah? a prophet that lived 8 centuries before Jesus was born?). Yep. The Good News starts with God's message to Isaiah that one day long ago. OK. So what was the message? This: a voice would shout out from the wilderness: Get ready! Get the Lord's road ready! Make it straight! So just like that, baptizer John showed up in the wilderness and preached a baptism of changed hearts and lives. (That's how we get the road ready for the Lord!).

We remember with a brother or sister today when we prepared our lives to answer Jesus' call. (We ever continue to do so.) And, together, we give thanks to God for receiving us in Christ.

Meek

"Trust the Lord and do good," Psalm 37:3.

We enjoy serving you, O Lord God! You give. You give what we want. We depend on you. You take care of us. Your goodness shines. Shines like the sun! Your fairness shines hot like the noonday sun. So we will not be upset over evil people. We won't be jealous of wrongdoers. They'll dry up and wilt away like scorched plants. Yes, we wait for you. Your people who trust in you will inherit your bounty. And what of evildoers? Of their cheating plans? They'll be gone. Not to be found any more. The meek will inherit and enjoy complete peace. Praise you, O Lord!

We visit with a brother or sister today to enjoy the Lord together. And, together, we praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Artesian

"Whoever drinks the water that I give will never be thirsty forever," John 4:14.

Thirsty not not ever again. (That's Jesus talking.) Jesus' water turns into an artesian fountain that springs up and out and over from within into eternity. Kind of like that fountain over in Sitka where people go and collect good water that flows up volunteer from an aquifer below. Except, that in Jesus' case, you don't have to keep going back even to that well. His fountain flows from inside us. Spiritual water (of course!) that keeps restoring the human soul into the age of forever.

When we get together with a brother or sister today, we take long drafts of his Spirit leading into eternity. And, together, we give thanks to God for new life wholly refreshed by Christ.

Looking

"The Father is seeking such people to worship him," John 4:23.

Who's looking? God. Who's God looking for? Certain people. What's he looking for in people? Is it like racial profiling? Like socio-economic status? Like culture? Or like gender? Or age? Or national heritage? No. No. No. No. No. And No. God's looking for true worshipers. What makes them true? They worship God in spirit, in truth. Not on a mountain. Not in a city. Not in nature. Not in artifice. In spirit. In truth. Who will love the Lord their God with all the heart, soul, and might. Yeah. And love their neighbors like Jesus loves them. God seeks true worshipers.

We meet up with a brother or sister today and encourage each other in the love of our God. And, together, we give thanks to Christ who leads us in worship.

Extravagance

"Grace be with you," Colossians 4:18.

Last word: Grace. Generosity. Bountifulness. Gift. Lavishness. Extravagance. Grace with whom? With you. You, who? You, who have come to faith in Christ Jesus. You, who love Jesus' people, the holy ones. You, us, who have heard the true word, the gospel. You, us, who walk a worthy way to please the Lord. You, us, who have a hope saved up in the sky. Right beside God, father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Beside our God. Grace be with us who give joy-filled thanks.

We gather with a brother or sister today to share in God's extravagance of bountiful generosity. And, together in joy, we give thanks to God through Christ for the gift of unending life.

Shackles

"Remember my chains," Colossians 4:18.

Interesting, isn't it? Remember my handcuffs. My shackles. These words come right after a list of all sorts of brothers and sisters who greet the Colossians: Hello, there! And, right after a list of brothers and sisters the Colossians should say, Hi!, to, too. It's easy to think of Jesus' kingdom as a theoretical thing, with idealized rules. Sort of like: Wouldn't it be great if everybody lived like that? (But since nobody does, we don't have to take it too seriously.) No. Not at all. The kingdom is real. Not of this world. But those who belong to it are real people who've committed their lives to Jesus' rule. And sometimes, they go to jail for it. And suffer for it. And even die for it.

When we meet up with a brother or sister today, we remind each other of the rule of Jesus. And, together, we give thanks to God for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Written

"When you've read this letter, make sure it's read in the Laodicean congregation, too," Colossians 4:16.

Paul! Why do you expect your letters to be read by others or by anyone at all? Who made you an arbiter of proper teaching? God. God did. God, through Christ. God chose Paul as his special envoy to announce Jesus as the Christ of God. Well. What's the proof? Paul's life spent in preaching Christ despite personal troubles, oppositions, beatings, jailings, miracle workings. He is a slave of Christ, his master. His master has ordered him, and he cannot but do and say what his Lord commands. So, what he has written is what the Lord Jesus wants the churches to read. And hear. And so we do.

We visit with a brother or sister today and share in the words Christ has spoken in the writings. And, in prayer together, we give thanks to God that we may know how to live out faith into eternity.

Times

"Lord, I trust you, I have said, 'You are my God,'" Psalm 31:14.

Lord, Jehovah God: our times are in your hand. Our lives are in your hand! You save us from the evil one's grasp. You show us your kindness. You save us because of your love. We called to you, and you did not shame us. Your goodness is so great! You've stored it up for whoever fears you. Honors you. Respects you. You do good things for those who trust you. You protect us by your presence. You keep us safe in your shelter. And so we can feel strong and brave, because we hope in you. Praise you Lord!

We meet up with a brother or sister today and share faith in God. And, together gratefully, we declare: God is God, we have no other!

Truth

"When you talk, you should always be kind and wise," Colossians 4:6.

Yes. We must walk in wisdom. We live among outsiders making the best of God's timing. We speak grace as we respond to anybody. Our language must show our lives given in obedience to Christ. We know that this is the Jesus Way. So why is it that when folks speak politics, suddenly, it's OK to repeat lies, to tell despicable stories gleefully about the opposition, to express vile hatred, to sling mud and muck with our tongues? This, brothers and sisters, should not be. We did not so learn Christ ... if we heard Him.

We walk with a brother or sister to share in the mystery of the Good News. And, together thankfully, we make the most of the time God has given us to speak grace, love, and truth.

Listening

"Keep on keeping on in prayer," Colossians 4:2.

Tenacious. Persistent. Steadfast. Constant attendance. On watch. In prayer. On watch with prayer in thanksgiving. Being watchful to give God thanks. Yeah, ok, but why? Because God's listening to us. He's listening for us. He wants to hear what we have to say. He wants to hear us pray for the preachers to speak through God's open doors. To speak the word of Christ. To blurt out the mystery of Christ, alive in us! To unpack the mystery so that people see God's work in Christ clearly.

We join with a brother or sister today to pray for open doors in our town and around the world. And, together, we pray giving thanks to God who gives us eternal life in Christ.

Lordship

"Wives, submit to your husbands ... Husbands, love your wives," Colossians 3:18, 19.

Why, why, why?! Because you are serving the Lord, Christ. Wife: Submit to him for the will of Christ, not because you are forced to it. What if he's a jerk? Do what is fit for the Lord. Husband: Love her, do not get soured against her. What if she won't submit? Love her. Never get harsh. It's the same for everybody. Kids: obey your parents. Why? for the Lord. Fathers: Don't pick at the kids, don't vex them. Slaves: obey your earthly masters. Why? for the Lord. Masters: do the right and fair thing about your slaves. Why? for the Lord. All we do in word or deed, all, forever and for always, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

We visit a brother or sister today to share in our common submission to the Lord Christ. And, together, we give thanks to the Lord that he has an inheritance awaiting whoever trusts in him.

Control

"But over and above all: Love," Colossians 3:14.

Yes. Most important. Put on love. No, not like pretend love. Like, get dressed in it. Love holds everything together in perfect harmony. And, too! The peace of Jesus must control our thinking. God called us into one corps. And, too! We say thank you, Lord! Christ's word must live in us richly. We teach his word to each other in his wisdom. We sing praises, and hymns, and spiritual songs to encourage each other. We sing, giving thanks to God. In fact, everything we do, everything we say, is about the Lord Jesus. And about giving thanks to God through him.

We meet a brother or sister today, and sing a song to praise God for his love. And, together, we say: Thank You!

Renewing

"You've been dressed with the new life," Colossians 3:10.

The new life? Yes. With a new self. What new self? A new self that God keeps renewing. He created the new self, and he renews the new self. Brand new. Freshly minted. What process does God use for this? Us being impressed with his image in our lives. Impressed with compassion. Kindness. Humility. Meekness. Patience. Tolerance. Forgiveness. Impressed by no human culture nor nationality nor religion nor status. Instead, new life. Impressed by Christ. Christ is all. Christ in all.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we see the image of Christ renewing in each other. And, together, we give thanks for our new life that taps into the nature of God.

Disgrace

"Lord, I give myself to you," Psalm 25:1.

Yes, O Lord, we trust in you, in you alone! You will not disgrace us. The Foe will not gloat over us. You never put to shame those who trust in you! (Rather, you shame foolish rebellion.) You tell us your ways. You show us how to live. You guide us in your truth. We want you to teach us, O Lord, Jehovah God! You are the God of our salvation! We wait for you. You always remember to love us. Because you are good. All the time.

When we visit a brother or sister today, we take time to tell of God's grace in our lives. And, together, we offer thanksgivings of praise for his guidance and care.

Inconsolable

"God's rage is coming," Colossians 3:6.

Wrath. Anger. Fury. Rage. We don't wanna be in its path. Wholesale slaughter and mayhem. Not pretty. Not at all. The aftermath? mostly smoke and ashes. inconsolable sorrow and wailing. Wow! What's all this fury against? Sexual immorality. Impurity. Passion. Evil desire. Greed, idolatry. You know, feelings and actions that deceive and destroy human souls. So. Says the Good Book: Away with all that poop! Jesus died to save us from the coming wrath! So. Aim above. Where Christ is.

We meet with a brother or sister today to encourage each other in the Jesus Way. And, together, we give thanks to God that his grace protects us from the rage.

Aim

"Aim at the things that are above," Colossians 3:1.

(Us to Paul) Paul, why in the world do you tell us to look up? (Paul to us) Because that's where Christ is, above! (Us) Yeah, sure, but we're here below on earth and gotta deal with stuff here. (Paul) No, no! God's still got secrets that he's not showing yet. A big one: you died with Christ, and have been raised up to where he is. (Us) Well, we don't see all that. (Paul) Right, God's hiding you with Jesus so that nobody sees the whole thing. Yet. (Us) Got us there, 'cuz we sure don't experience that. (Paul) Yeah, but God plans a big reveal when everybody sees Jesus show up in blazing glory; and when he shows up, so will you, you!, in his glory! Meanwhile, don't walk bending to what you see here below, but walk by faith in God's purposes. Set your minds on Jesus above. Not sight. Faith.

We visit with a brother or sister today, eyes scanning the skies. And, together, we give thanks to God for hiding us in Christ safe forever.

Qualified

"Don't let anyone disqualify you," Colossians 2:18.

From what? from the kingdom of Christ. Don't you dare let them say you're not in. Why not - maybe they're right? Because God, God!, is the one who qualified you. When? When he received you in your faith in his power to save! When he stripped off the body of flesh from your heart! When he raised you up with Christ from the dead! But, look, these other folks are so spiritual: they follow meticulous rules of religious discipline, they tell of wonderful spiritual visions, they're rigorously careful with foods and stuff. Perhaps so. Perhaps. Here's the judgement of Christ against such religiosity: worthless thinking, fleshly mindset, abandoning all God-supplied structures and ties for the body of Christ to grow and get strong. But. We remember: God himself has transferred us into the kingdom of Christ!

We find a brother or sister today and remind each other of God's faithful assurance. And, together, we give simple thanks to the One who has delivered us.

Erased

"God erased the handwritten charges that indicted us," Colossians 2:14.

Yes he did. What charges? The charges that listed our sin. The charges against us. The charges that the court would examine inexorably to find us guilty (because we are), worthy of judgment and of sentencing to death. But God ripped those charges right out of the judicial proceedings! He took that accusation and nailed it to the cross with Jesus! Yeah. That's what God did. Jesus' sacrifice paid the price for our redemption. Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. And how do we know this? By faith in God's promises.

As we meet with a brother or sister today, we forgive each other for any and all wrong. And, together, we bring thanks to God for erasing our sinful guilt completely in Christ.

Simple

"You were raised with Christ through faith, by God's work," Colossians 2:12.

Amazing! Buried with Christ, raised with Christ! Is this for real? How do you know? How can you know? You go in the water, you come up out the water. What changed? Did we get a good feeling? Is there just something that happened that we can't say in so many words? Is that how we know we've been raised? Is that confidence all about our emotional/feeling/affective state? We know because we feel good? Well, maybe. Yet. Here's how the Good Book says we know: by faith. Faith. Trust in God's work. Faith in God who raised Christ up from the dead.

We find a brother or sister today to express joy in God's joining Christ in us to life! And, together, we give thanks that he receives our simple trust in him worthy of his mighty power to save.

Expanses

"The heavens tell the glory of God and their vast expanses announce his handiwork," Psalm 19:1.

O, Lord, our Lord! We look up to hear all creation preaching out loud what you have done! All day long we hear their talk. Throughout the night we hear their declaration of your glory! They don't speak in English or in Hebrew or in Samoan, or in whatever. Yet, it's a loud speech in silence. A clear silence whose message reverberates around the world. And through it. They speak of you, O Lord, and of your harmony. Your law. Thank you for reviving our souls. Thank you for making us wise. Thank you rejoicing our hearts. Thank you for enlightening our eyes. Thank you for your testimony. For your precepts. Your commandments. Your rules. You give great rewards as we honor you! O Lord, our Lord, we join the heavens in your praise!

When we visit with a brother or sister today, we look up into the skies and hear their sermon. And, together, from the congregation, we give our voices to sing the confession of praise! Thank You!

Buried

"You are filled full in him, the head of all rule and authority," Colossians 2:10.

We have been filled up by the fullness of Christ himself! How cool is that? But wait. When did God fill us up in Christ? Well, the Good Book says it was when God stripped off our fleshly body in the spiritual circumcision of Christ. Hmm. So, when did that circumcision happen? Well, what does it say? God worked his work when we died and were buried together with Christ. Yeah. And then we were raised together with Christ, filled with life! So ... when did we die and get buried and get raised with Jesus? When we were buried together with Christ in baptism. That's what it says. Happened in baptism with Jesus. That's when. By faith. Always. By faith.

Meeting today with a brother or sister, we share the joy of life's victory in Jesus. And, together, we give thanks to God for filling us up with such abundance in Christ.

Strips

"You were circumcised without a hand-made circumcision," Colossians 2:11.

(Paul, is this OK to talk about in mixed company? awkward, awkward, awkward!) So. Circumcision was cutting off the foreskin from the male's sex member. (Consequently, it never applied to females. Ever.) Every male Jew had undergone this physical ritual and by it belonged to the commonwealth of Israel. Some taught that Christian men had to be circumcised, too. But no! Cutting off physical flesh contrasted with the spiritual circumcision of one's heart, to freedom from a fleshly, sinful way of life. Christ sets aside the hand-made physical ritual. He does call for circumcision, yes, a circumcision of the heart, not of skin. This circumcision, made without human hand, but made by the hand of God, is for both men and women. God strips off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ.

We meet today with a brother or sister having been set free from the power of sin by the power of the gospel. And, together, we offer grateful, clean hearts in service to God.

Uncovers

"All of God lives in Christ, in his very body," Colossians 2:9.

Now that's an amazing line! Mysteries hidden throughout the ages, God uncovers them in Christ. Yeah. And. And! Get this: We humans have come to full and true life! In Christ. God placed Christ ruler over everything. Nothing's left out. (well, except God himself. let's not get weird here.) So. We walk in the Jesus Way. Rooted in him. Founded in him. And. We don't let anybody smooth talk us into some aborted religion from the world's demonic fog. No. Instead. We be strong in the faith of Jesus. Yeah. And we give thanks that God gives us immortality in Christ.

We visit with a brother or sister today to strengthen each other's faith. And, together, we give thanks to God for giving us life in his son.

Reach

"To reach all the riches of full certainty of understanding," Colossians 2:2.

The goal: to get the wealth that complete confidence brings. So how do we get this confidence? We get it by understanding. By knowing God's big secret. His mystery. What secret? Christ. (again). Christ! Every hidden treasure: treasures of wisdom, treasures of knowledge. All the things God had hidden away from the mind of humans. These are found in Christ. When we understand that, we get the mystery of the cosmos. So. We don't listen to smooth, deep-sounding talk (but is just a bunch of lies). No. Instead, we know for sure God's work in Christ.

We meet today with a brother or sister, our hearts knit together in love. And, together, firm in our faith in Christ, we praise God!

Band

"Him we proclaim," Colossians 1:28.

Christ. We announce Christ. We preach Christ. Christ. (Who is the we that goes around broadcasting? Oh, it's Paul, Timothy, Tychicus, Onesimus, Luke, a bunch of others - it's a band of preachers Jesus sent out to make the Announcements. Anyway.) So, what are they telling? Christ. God's big secret. The richness of Christ in his people. They fill up empty people completely with God's word. Why? So that these people be filled with instruction. Taught in all wisdom. Become wholly mature. Fit to be brought into the Presence. In Christ. Word of God.

As we meet with a brother or sister today, we listen to the teaching of Jesus. And, maturing together, we give thanks to God who grows us up into a people ready for his presence.

Portion

"You are my Lord; every good thing I have comes from you," Psalm 16:2.

You, O Lord, are all we need! You are our chosen portion. You take care of us. We have a wonderful inheritance! We bless you - you give guidance and counsel. We feel your leading at night, too. Your closeness gives us confidence. We rejoice, gladness overtakes us! We even feel satisfaction to know you will not leave us in death! You open up the way to life for us. Being with you fills us with happiness. You place us forever in the delights of your right hand.

We meet with a brother or sister today to tell God's wonderful presence. And, together, we give thanks to the Lord for his sweet guidance and protection into beyond time.

Glory

"This teaching is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time," Colossians 1:26.

Whoa, now! A secret truth? A mystery? Hidden since forever ago? Yes. God has secrets. Secrets that nobody, but nobody, ever imagined. Not his highest council. Not powers and authorities. Not the devil. Not humans. Nobody. A mystery about what? About his deep love for all human beings. About immortality. But no longer a mystery now. God's broadcasting the secret. How? Through his preachers who preach his word. Come on now! What's the mystery? Christ. In us. Christ, who died for us. Christ, resurrected for us. Christ, our hope for life. In us, humans from every walk of life. Christ, in us! The hope of glory.

As we meet up with a brother or sister today, we recognize Christ alive among us. And, together, we give thanks to God for letting us in on his secret for immortality.

If

"You must not be moved away from the hope the Good News gave you," Colossians 1:23.

And why not? Because Jesus has made us God's friends. (Though we had been enemies.) So Jesus presents us to God as holy, blameless, without any accusation. Well, that is, he presents us to God like that as long as we let him. If we will not trust him with this, he doesn't force goodness on us. We're not bound to believe in him against our will. But. Our choice: We will not become faithless as those who will not believe. We will keep on in the faith, strong, sure, anchored in the hope of the message we heard. It's about faith in Christ.

We meet with a brother or sister today and encourage each other in the faith of Jesus. And, together, we give thanks for receiving hope to press on into the presence of God.

Ready

"You were God's enemies," Colossians 1:21.

You? That is, us. That's us. We were God's hostiles. Aliens to God. Our minds set to do evil deeds. Was truly us. Was. But no longer. Not now. God offered new terms of endearment. Jesus made peace with us. How? (because we got good? Hardly!) How? By his blood that bled from his wounds on the cross where we hammered the nails in his hands and his feet. And beat the thorns into his head. And bloodied his back with the lash. He reconciled us to God in his body of flesh by his death. Jesus let us beat him mercilessly so that he could show us off to God as a people holy, blameless, and without guilt.

We meet with a brother or sister today amazed by God's generosity. And, won over together by Jesus' sacrifice, we kneel before God in grateful praise, ready to do his will.

Church

"He is the head of the body," Colossians 1:18.

He, who? God's son. Jesus. That's who, he. Jesus is the head. Head of what? The body. Head, body. Go together, right? Of course he's the head of the body! What body? Surprise (!) : the congregation. A gathering of human souls comprises that body. Jesus is their head! The gathering of all sorts of peoples, seen and unseen. His body. An organic structure held together in Jesus. His real body through whom God reconciles everything. Everything? Everything. In heaven. On earth. All reconciled. At peace. Through the blood of Jesus' cross. Jesus: in First place before anything. Any thing, in all creation. Foremost. He.

We gather with a brother or sister today integrated into the whole, the body of Jesus. And, together, his church, we sacrifice praises to God into forever.

Icon

"He is the image of the invisible God," Colossians 1:15.

He, who? God's son. His human son. His human son, Jesus, whom God has made both Lord and Christ. His image. Image? Yeah. Icon. The human being, Jesus, is God's icon. Not a statue. Not a painting. Not pixels. Jesus. The human being. The human son of God. (the son, in whom all divinity lives.) He is God's icon. See Jesus, see God. See Jesus, see the God that you can't see. See Jesus, see God who made earth and sky. See Jesus, see Creator of all you can see and of all you can't see. See Jesus, see the glue of the cosmos. See Jesus, see the consistency of the universe. See Jesus, see God's plan to reintegrate degenerated chaos. See Jesus' blood sacrifice, see God's heart making peace in all creation.

As we meet with a brother or sister today, we drop to our knees in wonder. And, together, overwhelmed, thankfully, we say: Wow!

Handiwork

"Why do you take care of human beings?" Psalm 8:4.

O Lord God! Yours is the most wonderful name in all the earth! But what are we to you? We look at the skies, moon, stars, and wonder, why? You made us just lower than gods. You gave us honor and glory. You placed us over all your handiwork. But why? We look around ... and ... honestly, we don't see humans quite so fine. Not quite meeting up to your expectations. Hardly worthy at all. But, then, we see the man, Jesus. You crowned him with glory and honor. Because he suffered death. And by your grace you received his sacrifice worthy to account for all of us. O Lord! Our Lord! How majestic your name in all the earth!

We meet up with a brother or sister today, and swept away together in God's grace we praise our God! Thank you, Lord! Awe of you overwhelms us! Hosanna!

Done

"God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son," Colossians 1:13.

Us? Us who? Us. Us whom God qualified. Us who have come to faith in Christ Jesus. That's us who. So. What's God done for us lately? God prompted somebody tell us the gospel. God gave us to understand his grace. God has strengthened us by his might. God has qualified us to share his wealth. God has freed us from the slavery of darkness. God has made us citizens in his Son's kingdom. God has redeemed us by his Son. God has forgiven us through his Son. That's all stuff God has already done. For us. Don't worry. Be happy.

We visit with a brother or sister today in the joy of God's marvel - our salvation in Christ. And, together, we give grateful thanksgivings to God through Jesus.

Fit

"The Father has qualified you to share in the inheritance," Colossians 1:12.

We know how it is. To get into the program, any program (college, food stamps, bank loan, Olympics, public assistance, job, whatever) ya gotta qualify for it. Ya gotta show yourself good at the thing in order to qualify. Yeah. Same with getting into heaven's program. Ya gotta qualify. Ya gotta be good. Really good. Not be really good At it. Nope. Ya gotta Be. good. Be so good that nobody's that good. So God himself qualifies us. In light of Christ. And we get fitted for his riches. His inheritance. Qualified for heaven.

God's qualifying light shines on us as we visit with a brother or sister today. And, together in Jesus' light, we give thanks to our Father for making us fit.

Rumors

"We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus," Colossians 1:4.

Hmm. So how does a person get faith in Jesus? I mean, a faith real enough that others spread rumors about it? Well, in good measure it shows up in demonstrated love for fellow believers. Yeah, that's cool, but how do you get it? Through knowing you've got billions. Riches presently tucked away safely for later access. Tucked away? Where? Safe in the vault, in the skies. Oh. But more specifically, faith comes because we really, really expect to get that wealth. OK. So when did we hear about those riches? When we heard the preacher tell the gospel. And having listened to it, believed in Jesus, obediently. And got grace. Gospel truth.

As we visit with a brother or sister today, we love each other in the faith of Jesus. And, together, we give thanks to God for keeping our hope's inheritance secure in heaven.

Boldness

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God," Colossians 1:1.

Now that's quite a claim! If it's not true, it's arrogant beyond arrogant! Claims to be a personal messenger. A personal messenger of Jesus. Of Jesus, the Jesus God selected. So. Paul's a messenger sent out on mission by Jesus. Most arrogant of all: God willed this. But the claim's true. So, not arrogance, but boldness. Jesus sent him out to make the announcements. And, so, we read those written announcements today, 21 centuries after he announced them. We call them Colossians. As we listen to the old apostle, we hear God's will clearly expressed to warn us and to teach us and to mature us in Christ.

We travel with a brother or sister today listening to God's words. And, together in thankfulness, we grow into our Lord Jesus, the Christ of God.

Olden

"Grace to you, and peace, from God our father," Colossians 1:2.

In olden times, when they saw each other, that's how they said: Hi, there! That was their greeting. That is, believers in Christ said things like that. That reminded them that Christ made them his brothers and sisters with one common father, God. That Christ made them holy. That way, they acknowledged that God gave each of them grace. A gift. Unimaginable generosity. And that God gave them peace. Yeah. Peace within the heart. Peace among each other. Peace with him. God gave them peace with God. That God did.

So, today, when we see a brother or sister, we say: Grace to you! And, together, we give joyful thanks to God for giving it to us.

Deep

"Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage," Psalm 3:3.

Dear God, when we call out, you answer us even from the highest places. The evil one says you won't help at all. (Slowly, we let out a deep breath.) But you shield us. You lift our heads. You're our glory! We sleep in your peace. We awaken with your sustenance. Fearing only you, we have no fear of lies. You have struck the evil one in the face: he's down. But you! You have arisen! You arise and save us! Your blessing comes to your people. (And we breathe in your deep breath, at peace.)

When we meet today with a brother or sister in the troubles of this world, we rest assured by our Lord's resurrection. And, together grateful, we praise him into eternity.

Honest

"One of you may wander away from the truth," James 5:19.

Truth? What truth? Isn't all truth relative? Well, maybe there's so-called truth that just depends on how we look at the thing. Us being sophisticates and all. But, no, not all truth is fake truth. There's truth, true truth. Yeah. Truth that saves a soul. Saves? Saves a soul? Like, saves from what? From damned to death. So what is real truth? God made Jesus Christ the Lord of glory. Trusting in that is God's power to save. So. If someone wanders off into the lie, and if somebody turns that sinner back around to truthful faith - well, then, their soul gets saved from death. That truth's honest to God: it covers plenty sins. It gives forever life.

We meet with a brother or sister today in mutual encouragement to stand firm with Jesus. And, together in thanksgiving, we praise God for so great a salvation!

Always

"Any of you suffering? They've got to pray," James 5:13.

James' solution for everything. Always. Turn to God. (in humility.) He's nearby. Anybody happy? Sing about it! Anybody sick? Ask for prayer! (The old ones will come and pray and anoint in Jesus' name.) And the Lord will pick 'em up. Yeah. Oh! And when we own up to our sin, and pray together, the Lord forgives. And heals. It's not just prayer to something, anything. Pray to a rock, not much happens. It's prayer to God, maker of all of the sky's lights. Like Elijah prayed. To God, the unchangeable bountiful giver of every good. Yeah. That's what James's saying.

When we meet with a brother or sister today, we share troubles and pray together. And, together, we give thanks to God for strength and joy and healing and forgiveness through our Lord.

Yesses

"Your Yes must be Yes, and your No, No," James 5:12.

Here's a Big Deal. Don't swear. Don't make oaths. You know, like ... but, wait! First: James doesn't talk about cussing (there's plenty about that elsewhere). He talks about keeping true to our word even if: we don't sign the legal papers. Or don't promise on our mother's grave. Or don't say as God is our witness. Or don't assert to poke a red-hot needle in our eye. Or don't affirm on a stack of Bibles. Or if it's not a legal proceeding. If we say Yes, then that's all it takes. (Or No, of course.) No crossed fingers, no looking for loopholes. And why should our word be our bond? Because otherwise, God's judgment brings lying hearts down.

We meet up with a brother or sister today speaking truth in the love of God. And, together, we give thanks that we may trust all God's Yesses find their satisfaction in Jesus.

Yielding

"Brothers, be patient until the Lord comes again," James 5:7.

See how farmers work their springtime fields? They defer satisfaction to the land's precious timing. They wait patiently for gentle rains to bring earth's autumn fruit. (James is still talking about God even when he's not talking about God.) The Lord's coming. Very soon. In fact, he's already at the door. So what do we do? We wait patiently. For him. Like those farmers. We resolve heart-committed endurance. (We don't whine at or blame each other.) We persevere through suffering. Like Job. We know assuredly: the Lord's full of mercy. The Lord's kindness abounds. We wait for him.

We get together with a brother or sister today to hang in there until we see Jesus. And, together, we praise God for yielding in us patient, enduring, persevering, persistent, determined hope. He's coming!

Seriously

"Their unpaid wages cry out to the Lord of armies," James 5:4.

Goodness! What are you on about now, James? Well, it's about God. As always, about God, giver of every good gift. God, whose will birthed us as the very best. God, who implanted the word of life into willing hearts. God, who made Jesus the Lord Christ in glory. This same Lord, commander of heavenly armies, has heard the cries of oppressed peoples. Of the murdered dead. Oppressed by whom? By the rich who got fat by oppression. The rich whose clothes decay. Whose stock market fails. Whose luxury disintegrates. Whose rotting gold eats their skin away as Ebola. Whose self-indulgence prepared for their coming slaughter: Armies from the sky are on the march. Wow, James! Kind of negative here for morning devotions. Seriously?

We meet with a brother or sister today in reverence and deep respect for God's sovereignty. And, together with bowed hearts and knees, we give thanks to the Lord who rights all wrongs.

Fame

"The Lord is great and worthy of praise," Psalm 145:3.

O, Lord God! We lift you up and bless your name forever and ever! Every day we praise you. We praise your Name! Your greatness has no measure we can span. Parents tell children your mighty acts. They tell the glories of things you've done! We think about your powerful works. We ruminate on your royalty. We declare your greatness. And alongside your immense might, you manifest your grace, your generosity. Your kindness floods over us. We sing your fame out loud! Your goodness is our bounty!

When we meet with a brother or sister today, we remember our King's mercies. And, together, in praise, in worship, in service, we say: Lord, you are good! All the time!

Wills

"You're a mist that shows up for a little while, and then fades away," James 4:14.

James' honesty with us humans is brutal. What's he talking about? Our lives. Specifically, that we don't know what our life will be tomorrow. Nobody does. We're pretty proud about awesome plans to get rich next year, or to go on that great vacation. But have no clue about even being alive in the next twenty-four hours. So, James says, hold tightly to the Lord's will. We have no other assurance. If the Lord wills. Then, this or that or the other. If the Lord wills that we even live. If the Lord wills. Any other plan is worthless arrogance. If the Lord wills.

If the Lord wills, we will visit with a brother or sister today. And, together, we will give thanks for God's assurance of eternal life in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

One

"There is only one lawgiver and judge," James 4:12.

And it's not us. It's God. God is the only one. (James keeps talking about God.) So. What's the point? So. When we talk against one another we talk evil against God's law. When we judge a neighbor, we judge God's law. Whoa! How does that work?! Easy, peasy, says James. Here's how it works: We are supposed to be doers of the law. Doers. Not judges. When we judge, we're not doing it. We're judging. Not our job. That's God's job. One lawgiver. One judge. Only one able to give life. Or take it away. God. Not us.

We visit with a brother or sister today in humility to honor each other in Christ. And, together, we give grateful thanksgiving for God's promise of life in Christ, our Lord.

More

"God gives grace to the humble," James 4:6.

(James is all about God, all the time.) Yes. Grace. And even more grace. God gives. Grace. Well, anyway, that's what James keeps on saying. Yeah. And, James also says God opposes bully swagger. He gives no quarter to pride. But for persons yielding to God (instead of kowtowing to the devil), for persons standing up against the devil, God gives grace. And more grace. The bully devil runs away. So, we draw near to God. We clean up our act. We deprecate our swagger. We lower ourselves to God. And God lifts us up. He elevates us. He will exalt us. God will.

We visit with a brother or sister today single minded in submitting ourselves to God. And, together, we joy thankfully trusting him for exaltation in Christ's humility.

Eyes

"Where do your fights and arguments come from?" James 4:1.

James, you're relentless in telling God's goodness, aren't you? But now, you're making us take a naked look at ourselves? Self centered grabs, internal battlings, fights, arguments, frustrated wants, quarrels, thwarted desires, empty passionate discords. Yeah. Where do these come from? If you know, tell us, James! Well, he does (know). And he does (tell). These come from taking our eyes off God's wisdom. From siding with the world. Cultivating passionate egotistical happiness. Hooking up with the world's call for self-satisfaction. And fighting against God. (Not so did we learn Christ.)

Repenting, we meet with a brother or sister today and so sow God's wisdom in peace. And, together, we give thanks to God who loves to draw us out of self into Jesus' peace.

Above

"Who is wise?" James 3:13.

Good question, James! Yes, who shows true wisdom? James says: Gentle wisdom coming down from up high shows in right behavior. It's pure. Peaceable. Gentle. Open to reason. Full of mercy. Fair. Honest. But wait! Compared to what, James? To below wisdom. Not from above. Arises from bitter jealousy. From ambitious hearts. Boasting. False truth. From earth. From fleshly soul. Demons. But. Instead. People who do peace plant the seeds that yield peaceful and right living. These are the wise. Wisdom of God. Says James.

Meeting with a brother or sister today, we sow the fruit of God's wisdom with each other. And, together, we give thanks for God's wisdom made real in Christ Jesus.

Detailed

"I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way," Psalm 139:14.

O Jehovah God! What you have done is awesome - we know your works very well! You watched over our tiny structures forming in our mothers' wombs. You oversaw the intricacies of the smallest developing tissues. You detailed the plans for our growth through all the days to come. Yes! Even before there were any days there to live. We cherish your thoughts. They stretch our minds to the infinite. We awaken to life with you. You lead us in the ways of forever life.

We visit a brother or sister today and marvel in God's provision. And, together, we say: Thank you, Lord God! Thank you!

Severe

"We who teach will be judged with greater strictness," James 3:1.

Judged by whom? Well, partly by those being taught. But, here, mainly, by God. God's paying attention to what teachers teach. No stumbling around in what's said. Bridling the mouth. The mind must guide it rather than let it loose. The tongue, after all, is a little thing, but it sure can swagger big. Its obscenities pollute the rest of the body. It blazes hell fire. Uncontrolled burns destroy whole life cycles up in flames. It thinks to bless God all the while cursing humans, God's likeness. What?! God's listening. His judgment severe against earthly, soulish, demonic teaching.

We speak God's blessings carefully with a brother or sister today. And, thankful together, we praise Christ who teaches us God's eternal wisdom.