Personal Worship (Page 21)
For the week of July 25th
View Previous Weeks Welcome back to week 14 in our series from the book of Mark, “The Mission of Jesus.” This week, our focus will turn to chapter 14 of the Gospel of Mark, in which the narrative arc of Jesus’ life begins a steep descent down the road of suffering. In these verses, Jesus will be anointed by a most unlikely character (a “sinful” woman), recline at table to…
For the week of July 18th
View Previous Weeks Welcome to what would be Week 14 in our series in the Book of Mark, but it’s not! We are pressing pause on Mark this week because we have the distinct pleasure of hearing from Bishop C.E. Glover at Church on Sunday. Bishop Glover is the Senior Pastor of Mount Bethel Ministries and we are excited to have him back with us at Rio! This week our focus is…
For the week of July 11th
View Previous Weeks Welcome to Week 13 in our series from the gospel of Mark and to Mark chapter 13 where we continue to see the mission of Jesus unfold before us. This week’s chapter contains the Olivet Discourse, so named because Jesus taught his disciples on the Mount of Olives. It is primarily concerned with the future. Tribulation is coming, said Jesus, so don’t let…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 9th)
Hey Church! This verse was on my mind today: “…God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance…” (Rom. 2:4) It would be unusual to find an earthly boss, parent, or any other form of leader who led their people to do the right thing, not by a stern application of rules but by inexhaustible kindness. How strange would that be to us? But the fact that God leads…
For the week of July 4th
View Previous Weeks Welcome to Week 12 in our series from the gospel of Mark and to Mark chapter 12 where we continue to see the mission of Jesus unfold before us. There is a common thread running through all the stories from this week’s chapter. In each case, they have lost sight of something, either the claim God has to them or the infinite value of God. Look for those…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of July 2nd)
Hello Rio! When I was a kid, my dad was often amazed at how quickly his four sons destroyed new things. We routinely heard the line: “This is why we can’t have nice things.” One time, my brother Matt lost a new pair of shoes in the ditch behind our house after they were swallowed by the deep mud. For years to come, any question about the location of an object was met with…
For the week of June 27th
View Previous Weeks Welcome to week 11 of our study from the gospel of Mark and to Mark chapter 11 as well. Every part of this chapter contains a richness of truth that we could spend hours in, each day. But that’s not what Personal Worship is about. We want to spend about 15-20 minutes reading the word, considering its wisdom, reflecting on questions, and praying. So I…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of June 25th)
Hello Rio! How would you respond if I told you that the scientific and academic communities had discovered that a simple habit could provide you with stunning physical and mental health benefits? No injections required. No prescriptions necessary. This simple practice has existed for thousands of years. In the last few decades, several major universities, government…
For the week of June 20th
View Previous Weeks Welcome to week 10 of our study from the gospel of Mark and, rather handily, to Mark chapter 10. Every part of this chapter contains a richness of truth that we could spend hours in, each day. But that’s not what Personal Worship is about. We want to spend about 15-20 minutes reading the word, considering its wisdom, reflecting on questions, and…
Prepare for Worship (weekend of June 18th)
Hey, Church! This week I have been thinking a lot about gratitude. I need more of it in my life. Anxieties about the future? Yep, I’ve got plenty of those. Frustrations with present life circumstances? Check! A list of blessings a mile long? Well, I don’t think about that list quite as often. But the Spirit reminded me this week that that list is immeasurably longer and,…