Today’s Reflection
MARK’S DANGLING SENTENCE used to trouble me. But then I realized that in spite of my best efforts to pull the pieces together and bring a solid conclusion to every story, my life is full of incomplete sentences–relationships that get lost along the way,, conflicts that are never reconciled, problems that never find a simple solution, stories with no last chapter.
Maybe Mark intends this ending. What if Mark is suggesting that there is something both amazing and frigtening about knowing the risen Christ is not where we expect to find him but is let loose in the world where nothing can stop him?
What if Mark’s incomplete story serves as an invitation to every one of us to complete the Resurrection story with our own story? What if he purposely planned for every follower of the risen Christ to add his or her own chapter to the never-ending story of God’s work of salvation in a sin-broken world? What if Mark intends for everyone who hears the Resurrection story to be sent–like those frightened women–to carry the good news to a world that never expected it? What if Mark’s nonending is the call for us to get in on the action and become part of a story that never ends?
– James A. Harnish
Easter Earthquake
From page 109 of Easter Earthquake: How Resurrection Shakes Our World by James A. Harnish. Copyright © 2017 by James A. Harnish. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
What would be important for you to include from your life in a continuation of the resurrection story? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true
1 John 1:6, NRSV
This Week: Give thanks for the Risen Lord. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Martin Luther King, Jr. (April 4).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
14 Comments
I think Cathy Harris nailed this yesterday, or is at least working on the same wave length as the author. I enjoy reading each person’s “take” on the daily reflection. Broadens my perspective and is so encouraging.
Much of last evening’s discussion at small group was about telling our “story”. My story would include how God reached out to me and called me nearer to Himself. How he sought out a relationship with me and put a desire in my heart to have a relationship with Him. For many years I had head knowledge, but no relationship. And, now, the fullness of this relationship – He does, indeed, walk with me. Not sure how I missed it for so long. And so very grateful for the comfort of knowing He will remain with me forever. Blessed assurance!
Saw my parents before small group last night – they played bridge for 3 hours and went out to eat with the couple afterwards! Mom’s spirits were good – so good that I didn’t ask if there was a start date for the chemo. Will text dad today and ask him.
Connie – praying for your health concern – holding it before Our Father.
Jill, so glad that your mum’s spirit is good and both your parents were able to relax and enjoy themselves.
For me, a repentant heart that leads to change would be important for me to include in my life in the continuation of the resurrection story.
Of cause, i need the Holy Spirit to convict me of my sins and be empowered to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus.
Blessings
Making a commitment to turn to God would be my reply. Like Jill, I think I had “head knowledge”. Turning to God, putting God first,, accepting God’s gift of salvation, acknowledging my faults and sins – all of these actions on my part helped build the relationship that is needed.
Am still not sure I find the abrupt ending of Mark described. I read the NRSV and Mark continues after the quoted line. Perhaps the NRSV adds scripture that was found in later texts to the earliest known scripture.
I need to go back to yesterday’s reflection to read all of what was posted.
Prayers for Rosina Wallace and her brother, their houses, barn, and all 23 cows were destroyed by fire on Easter. Thankfully they have a place to stay while recovery begins. Churches and townspeople are helping them.
Thankful for a wonderful visit with my daughter, granddaughters, and son-in-law these past three days. Wonderful meals, saw a play about the ivory trade , went to the zoo, and had a great time playing with Willa and Oona. Home on the train today.
Thankful Jill’s parents had such a good day playing cards and going out to eat.
Prayers for the well being of Mary’s parents and thankful her new job is going well. Prayers for Betsy, Andrea and Lowell, Lou, her mother and children, Julie, Marcy, Rusty and K, and all the concerns and joys of the UR family.
Lord, we need You every day. Thank You for Your presence.
I also enjoyed reading everyone’s perspective on the resurrection story. In my Bible Study of Romans, we discussed how God has placed each of us here at this particular rime and place for a reason, for a task. Our responsibility, through prayer and worship, is to discern that. In watching the news coverage of MLK this past few days, I’m struck by how God used him, at a time of unrest and uncertainly, to change the course of history, many of the ramifications not even imagined until long after her was killed. What must God ask of me? According to scriptures, “Love my neighbor as myself.”
Praying for concerns and praises for all our UR family this day: Lou, Connie, Mary, Jill, Marcy, Julie and others who follow this post.
I also enjoyed reading everyone’s perspective on the resurrection story. In my Bible Study of Romans, we discussed how God has placed each of us here at this particular rime and place for a reason, for a task. Our responsibility, through prayer and worship, is to discern that. In watching the news coverage of MLK this past few days, I’m struck by how God used him, at a time of unrest and uncertainly, to change the course of history, many of the ramifications not even imagined until long after her was killed. What must God ask of me? According to scriptures, “Love my neighbor as myself.”
Praying for concerns and praises for all our UR family this day: Lou, Robert, Connie, Mary, Jill, Marcy, Julie and others who follow this post.
I need to be able to love all of my brothers and sisters. I struggle with this because of my “marriage” issue. I find it very difficult to like, let alone, love my “husband” (who by the way just left after spending several minutes yelling at me in an attempt to bully me into giving him something of mine).
Prayers for Connie and her health.
Prayers for safe travel for Robert and thanks for an enjoyble visit with family.
Wonderful news from Jill regarding her parents.
Prayers for Betsy and her family.
Prayers for Mary aand her job and her parents.
Blessings and prayers for and thank you to all of my UR family of posters
Nothing can make our life, or the lives of other people, more beautiful than perpetual kindness.
Leo Tolstoy
Thanks to all of you for your prayers. It was a great comfort and I could almost feel them!
My resurrection story goes on like this-I will focus on God even more and lean on Him to show me the way.
On Good Friday WTTW (one of their channels) presented a one-man play called The Passion. It was straight from the scriptures and I wish I could see it again.
God bless you all, my friends in Christ.
Pease pray for me
“Husband ” spent all day yelling at me and belittling me and following me around
I am such a nervous wreck and I can’t stop shaking
Julie, I suggest you see someone to help with domestic abuse before the verbal abuse becomes physical. Ask your daughter to drive you. Do some online research to find some possibilities. I’m certainly praying that God’s wisdom will come to you and you can make good decisions.
Praying for you, Julie, and will keep you in prayer.
Julie, keeping you in prayer.
May God protect you from all harm and danger
Blessings
May the Lord send His Angels to protect you.
Blessings to all,
Within these past two years, I have had an Epiphany of finally discovering what is the most important thing I want to do with my life… to continue the resurrection story that Mark has left for us to fill in. For me, it is to glorify God each and every day.
There are many ways to do this of course, like with prayer, reading his Holy word and sharing a witness story with someone. I always love spending time thinking about and talking to God everyday. I have been so blessed in my life to have received his light of mercy, love and grace many times. I will gladly share (witness) three of my most life changing events with you. As a recovering Alcoholic, I came to know Jesus’s love, mercy and grace everyday since I became sober 32 years ago. Talk about saving someone’s life! Or when I was diagnosed with bladder cancer 11 years ago and lung cancer 6 years ago. Quarterly and annual tests monitor these areas in my body and by the grace of God I’m still cancer free after the surgeries removed them. Jesus has allowed me to live so far a full and very blessed life. I’m 61 and a retired US Navy Veteran of 20 years who lives in a suburb of Milwaukee, WI.
I get to thank God everyday and glorify His name (my resurrection continuing purpose) when I do acts of kindness and share with others the blessings of hope, love and finding peace. When I let his light shine in my life, others see it or sense it and God is glorified. I cannot find no greater joy!
Keeping Faith alive,
Ken
Ken, I’m very thankful for the three blessings you have received, all life saving, thank You, Lord. I’m a retired high school teacher and US Army-Army Reserve and will be 71 in June. The Lord has kept me all my life. Some times I was aware of it, was sent to Korea instead of Vietnam, and made a huge difference when my wife passed away almost 21 years ago. Since then I am much more aware of God’s help and am very dependent on the Lord.
Glad to have you here at the UR, this is an amazing God and Spirit filled online oasis.
Add Comment