Tag Archives: hope

False Premises: An Example

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

There are times when people express arguments for cases that are difficult to respond to, not because they contain a great argument for a worthy cause, but because they contain flawed logic. Last Friday I received just such an argument … Continue reading →

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Legion

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 5:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:28-33; Luke 8:26-39 Right after Jesus completed His teaching in parables, He and His disciples began to make their way across the Sea of Galilee, where they encountered a fierce storm that threatened to swamp … Continue reading →

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And a Storm Came

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Don Merritt

Mark 4:35-41 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25 Right after Jesus wrapped up His teaching in parables, He was tired and ready to leave, so the disciples joined Him in the boat, and they began to cross to the other … Continue reading →

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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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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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Bonus Post: Demon Possessed!

Posted on June 14, 2014 by Don Merritt

Off hand, I can’t think of a Bible topic that makes for a better horror movie than demon possession. After all, by its very nature it’s scary, the idea of some unseen evil force taking over the body and consciousness … Continue reading →

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