Tag Archives: attitude

The Mustard Seed

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Don Merritt

Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, … Continue reading →

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Parable of Seeds

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Don Merritt

He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All … Continue reading →

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A Troubling Conversation

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Don Merritt

The other day, I had a conversation with a group of Christians, a group I am coming to know fairly well; this is a regular thing. Many of them grew up in another church tradition, one that has its roots … Continue reading →

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Two Short Parables

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 4:21-25 Parallel Text: Like 8:16-18  This brief section contains two more short ones, the Parable of the Lampstands and the Warning for Hearers. First, let’s talk about lamps… Lamps and lampstands are used several times in the New Testament … Continue reading →

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Jesus Teaches in Parables

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Don Merritt

Parable of the Sower Mark 4:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15 With the beginning of chapter four, we see a shift in Mark’s narrative into a battery of parables. Parables are interesting things, little stories that teach a moral … Continue reading →

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Weekly Podcast: June 16, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Don Merritt

Why do Christians Argue so Much? This week’s podcast kicks off several posts this week about interpretation that will just cover a few things I’ve noticed going on with the hope that you’ll take the opportunity to think about some … Continue reading →

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Just a Minute!

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Don Merritt

I originally posted this about a year ago, and I thought it might be fun to run again… and besides, my youngest hates that old picture now that she has her own daughter! 🙂 When my kids were teenagers, this … Continue reading →

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Sabbath, Controversy and More Followers

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 3:1-6 Parallel Texts: Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11 After the scene in the last section where Jesus announces that He is the Lord of the Sabbath, Mark recounts another Sabbath Scene, this time in a synagogue, where Jesus heals a … Continue reading →

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Jesus and Sinners

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 2:13-17 Parallel Texts: Matthew 9:9; Luke 5:27-28 Still in Galilee, Jesus calls another disciple, and this time He has a questionable choice: Levi (Matthew) the tax collector. Tax collectors are none too popular in our day, but back then … Continue reading →

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God’s Provision

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Don Merritt

God will provide for our needs; this is something most people know, but some become a little confused by it. The statement does not mean that all we need to do sit on our chairs and wait for Him to … Continue reading →

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