Don't Panic

When trouble or crisis hits what's the first thing that you do? Panic? Phone your Mum? Pray? In Mark 1:30 Simon and Andrew take Jesus and James and John home, but Simon's mother-in-law is ill with a fever. There is no paracetamol to hand. But Mark tells us that immediately (TNIV) they told Jesus about her. So Jesus helps her up and the fever goes.

I'm sure that most Christians, if you were to ask them what you should do when trouble strikes, would respond 'pray' - but how many of us do? 

Simon and Andrew had just seen Jesus heal a man by driving out an evil spirit. In comparison a fever probably didn't seem too big a deal. But for many of us, our experience of prayer is that all too often God doesn't seem to answer. People get sick and we pray for them and they get worse. Or else they go to the doctor and respond to the medicine - just like everyone else. So why should I pray immediately - in fact, why should I pray at all?

Miracles were very important for Mark - although his is the shortest gospel he records the most miracles. The miracles were a sign that Jesus was the Messiah. They were also a sign that the Kingdom of God was at hand. As God moves in, the powers of darkness have to move out. The trouble was that most people started to focus on the signpost rather than what it was pointing to. Crowds looked for Jesus in order to see or experience a healing miracle. But Jesus wasn't just here to perform miracles, he was here to proclaim the Kingdom of God and bring people to repentance and belief. It got so bad that Jesus wasn't even free to enter the villages anymore (Mark 1:38 & 45).

So then, what is prayer and why should we pray?

In all the busyness of his ministry Jesus took time out to pray - time when he could be alone with God without distraction. The only time this was possible was very early in the morning when everyone else was still asleep (Mark 1:35). If Jesus felt the need to spend time with God - how much more do we need regular time with God.

But what's the point if my prayers don't get answered? Come back on Friday for a few thoughts on that question.

Tuesday's Tune - 2

It will come as no surprise to those who have been following this blog for a while that when it was my turn to choose my favourite hymn / song I went with something from Chris Tomlin.

Christian funerals should be extremely powerful. There is an incredible emotional mix going on. Obviously there is grief and sadness and it is right that there are tears. But then there is also the amazing hope that we have in Jesus. The hope of the resurrection.

There is the promise of God that no matter what we go through, God has promised to be with us every step of the way. No matter what my story is - there is a bigger story. My story fits into God's story. And therefore I can say, 'It is well, it is well, with my soul'.

In the first clip Chris Tomlin talks about how he came to write this song. He talks about the bridge and how it builds. I love this part of the song. 

Marathon Update - 13 Weeks to go

Last week's training went well - even with the snow that arrived on Friday. Originally forecast for about 12pm on Friday, I moved my runs around hoping to get my long 14 mile run in on Friday morning before the snow. The snow came early, starting about 8.45am, but I still managed to get out and do 14.2 miles - fresh snow provides enough grip for a steady pace.

The snow was still sufficiently crunchy and fresh on Saturday morning to allow for a 'slow' 7 miles. The snow might be a real pain, but it does make for some beautiful scenery - my 7 miles included 2 local parks, one of which has a few minutes amongst the trees - I could almost be running in the woods!

So last week's training was not affected by the weather, with all 5 sessions going to plan and a total of 34 miles run.

Fresh snow during Sunday means that Monday morning's run might be able to go ahead - but after that I'm expecting the pavements to turn into ice rinks - like they were on Sunday morning.

This week there are again 5 sessions planned but this is a 'cut back' week in the schedule. Every few weeks there is a slightly easier week to allow the body to recover and adjust to the ever longer and longer runs. The long run this week is cut back to 'only' 10 miles, but there is more emphasis on the shorter faster runs - not good in the snow. I might have to make enquiries at local gyms to find out if any of them do a one week membership deal that only involves using their treadmills. Looking at the forecast it seems that the ice is certainly going to be around for most of the week.

New series

If you have a short attention span then you've probably stopped reading this post already. But if you're still with me: this term, on Sunday mornings, we're looking at the first part of Mark's gospel. Mark is the shortest gospel, full of action, constantly moving on to the next thing - none of the long speeches that you might find in the other gospels. Mark wants to introduce us to Jesus and Mark wants us to come to the conclusion that Jesus is who he claimed to be and that following him really is worth it.

When Jesus calls his first four disciples in Mark 1:16-20 they immediately leave everything and follow him. But Jesus doesn't just call them to follow, he gives them a task to do (17). 

Mark wants us to be under no illusion - following Jesus won't be easy. Jesus, after the high point of his baptism, is immediately led into the wilderness where he is tempted by Satan. John, after the high of seeing crowds responding to his preaching and getting baptised, finds himself in prison. We won't get as far as chapter 8 in this series but there (8:34-35) Jesus says, 'whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it'. The first disciples leave everything to follow Jesus.

Are you following Jesus? What has he called you to? Are you doing it?