What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus will come again, not as a sacrificial Lamb, but as a conquering Lord. We can rest assured that no matter what happens, in the end, Jesus wins. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus tell his disciples to stand firm, be on […]
Mark 12
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments were to love God and love our neighbor. We are called to do this, which seems so simple, but yet is so difficult. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus taught his disciples that the rich people give out of their abundance […]
Pastor Mark as Prophet
Right now, as you read this, I am in a little village outside of Tijuana, Mexico. On Monday, we hand-mixed and poured a concrete slab 11 feet by 22 feet by 4 inches deep… that’s a lot of hand-mixed concrete! Tuesday, we framed up walls and roof sections and nailed them together, being careful not […]
Mark 11
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus entered Jerusalem being proclaimed as the coming King, but days later the same crowd would call for his crucifixion. We are called to stand for Jesus whether we are surrounded by those who agree or those who hate him. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus showed the […]
What was Pete thinking?
I haven’t taken the chance to say anything about the Super Bowl since my return from Israel. In spite of the fact that the game started at 1:30am,, many of us did watch. We could actually get the game on the hotel TV in Jerusalem… with Israeli commentary! Like so many, the topic the next morning was, […]
Mark 10
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. As a result of Jesus’sacrifice, we can enter the kingdom of God—for what is impossible with man is possible with God. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus taught his […]
Mark 9
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus knows that he is going to be killed and rise again. If Jesus could predict his own death and resurrection and then fulfill it, we can trust him with our death and future resurrection in his Kingdom. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus took only three of […]
Mark 8
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus knew that his calling involved suffering. We are also called to suffer—to die daily to ourselves and follow Jesus. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus waited until the disciples knew who he was—the Christ, God’s only chosen King—before explaining what that meant for his mission—suffering and death—and […]
Mark 7
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus defended righteousness in the face of the religious; he taught that the word of God is far more important than the word of tradition. We are called to place the word of God before tradition—whether that is traditional cultural values, or new cultural values—in our actions. What did […]
Mark 6
What did I learn about Jesus? Jesus was rejected by those in his hometown. Our own family and friends may choose to reject us because we have chosen to follow Jesus. What did I learn about disciple-making? Jesus sent out his disciples two by two even when they were still young in their faith, yet […]