Mark: A Few Thoughts

You have been using the meditations from Mark's Gospel for a week now. You see how I try to build the passage from day to day, adding a little more until we have the whole of the text as given in the "Student Book." This method may help us become better acquainted with the passage and the teachings it contains. The more we know the text the clearer we are able to hear God speak through it to us. I also hope you have read the suggested additional texts -- and that you are probing and questioning those texts as well. Read these Biblical portions, mull over the words in them, ask God what they mean, and think about what you read. Think how it may apply to your life, how it can make you more like Christ.

Have you liked the short sayings in the box? They may or may not relate directly to the text you are reading, but they may also open up your thoughts on other ideas. Who knows? Listen to these short teachings. How can they help shape your prayers? If you have favorite sayings or helpful pieces from authors that are meaningful to you, let me have them and I will include them somewhere in our meditations from Mark.

I appreciated the class last Sunday. Many people made helpful remarks! You help several others when you speak in class. Very often you likely say something someone else would have liked to have said.

I encourage you to stay focused, be patient, and be willing to work with anything the Spirit brings to your mind. Oh yes, do you have trouble getting quiet? Are you plagued with distractions? Try thanking God for your active mind, focus your attention on a word from the text or a short line. Use that word or line as a device for refocusing. Don't become discouraged %^). After a while you will find it easier to maintain your thoughts. Above all, don't give up! The Lord knows what you are doing. Be patient.

JLM

By the way -- I have been asked about the best way to use the Biblical references I sometimes put in my remarks. I keep those to a minimum because it would be easy to pack my comments with Scripture texts. I suggest you use the material and then check them out after you are through with your meditation period. Stay as focused as possible. Peace!