Divorce, children, wealth, status, authority, Jesus is get to it all in this one chapter and it isn't what you expect. While some of these things can be difficult, the disciples didn't get it either at the time, it is worth talking about. We can confront these difficulties because God is big enough for it all and merciful throughout.

Hopefully you are in or are seeking a body of believers to commune with. Scripture is a tool just like the church is. We all need a safe place to have spiritual direction and community. With God all things are possible so make sure those speaking into your life about divorce, wealth, status, legacy and children are followers of God.

my website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Happy New Year and Happy Holiday Season! The in-between is hard right? What day is it, what time is it, how are we out of food?! Any day is a good day to read a little scripture and spend some time with the Lord.

Chapter 9! Things are starting to move at a quicker pace. Jesus is on His way to His death and resurrection. Instead of having senior-itis, He is getting things done.

Transfiguration: a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state

Link to Bonus Episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2045573/episodes/16337269-711-bonus-back-to-liturgy.mp3?download=true

My website: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

As we dive into the holiday season, prepare for the new year, and take a break from the book of Mark, I want to talk about liturgy. If you have no idea what I mean, please take a listen. If your only experience with liturgy is that it is old and irrelevant words, please take a listen. I adore liturgy and have found it to be a consistent source of hope and renewal.

Gallup Poll:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/642548/church-attendance-declined-religious-groups.aspx#:~:text=Three%20in%2010%20Americans%20say,or%20never%20(31%25)%20attend.

Here are some resources:
Lord's Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13
Article on Liturgy: https://www.faithandworship.com/liturgy.htm#gsc.tab=0
Source for daily and occasional prayers: https://commonprayer.net/
Physical book with common prayers: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Penguin-Classics/dp/0143106562/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1WHVT2N8Y19KQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.WTfoETULMCufrEQooGVe4Q9YQhLuvBWIzad4B1x2_WUjHy30uc9Mqpu0W2YvBGcHmnLsYuNf-7PIghdWIC0AANf_LLOhSwxwujAkCaTJTFJT8TbZpuWQ-mAUva83rdvQCxwWs5WBPM-DnlTqaMHisOF4gDD05GdU2w9xCVs1xf06Nywx8zoP_iJIafeV_DcgSF3S2Whs6suFuGDZD8P9BBRel4m7ZhCyEN2v-P5Pehw._9yhlXp7BUXEqtoMw1XhQijwkVG3zfN7eec2YBJz2z8&dib_tag=se&keywords=liturgical+prayer+book&qid=1735082435&s=books&sprefix=liturgical+prayer+book%2Cstripbooks%2C136&sr=1-2

my website: https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

We are halfway through the book of Mark!

Here is a review of Mark chapter 7. Remember to read the entire text first. It is too difficult to do a deep dive in these short episodes so it will help enormously if you have some familiarity with the text.

My website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

Here we go! Let's continue our look at the book of Mark.

Resources:
Herod's family tree
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/herod-the-great-herodian-family-tree/
https://www.biblestudyplus.info/uploads/4/5/6/9/45695927/herods_family--simplified--color.pdf

My Website
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

This chapter has 3 wonderful stories of desperation and need of Jesus. Jesus displays a lot of authority in these stories. Make sure you take note of the responses, there is a lot to contrast and compare.

my website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/

We are continuing our study of Mark chapter 4. Today is all about parables! As always, I hope you are reading (or listening to) the chapter in its entirety before diving into the podcast. If you can, look at each parable separately. Write down your observations. Then line them up. What do they have in common, how are they different? What is Jesus telling us about the kingdom of God based on these parables? You may know the "right" answer, but I challenge you to answer based solely on your reading in this chapter.

My website:
https://www.deborahjmckenzie.com/