Mark interviewed Dr. Ingrid Faro, professor at Northern Seminary and the author of Encountering Evil. We learn that Dr. Faro wasn’t born in a Christian home. She found Jesus through Young Life and a Billy Graham Crusade. Through life experiences and multiple trials and sufferings, she learned God is good. Dr. Faro defines evil as the corruption of creational and relational goodness. She defines good as that which produces life and blessings, shalom, and peace. Good is life. Good used for selfish...
Jan 21, 2023
1-15-23 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued in the Minor Prophets Series with Part II of Hosea on metaphors. God uses all forms of communication, and metaphors link one idea to another. Use of agricultural related metaphors in Hosea show we reap what we sow. Some household metaphors reflect the tenderness of God. Points for home: What is sowing in your garden? Be touched by His tender love. How intense is your faith in God? Listen to Mark teach how God used the culture of the people in1-15-23 Bibli...
Jan 15, 2023
Mark continued The Minor Prophets series with an initial look at the book of Hosea. The Bible and Prophets are about God using people and language to communicate to humanity. Today's focus was with metaphors. Metaphors make us think. - Metaphors in Hosea applied to the people then with their culture and language. - Choices matter - Points for home 1. Wherever you are in life, make God the center. 2. There's either the easy way or the hard way. 3. You reap what you sow. Listen to Mark teach the v...
Jan 08, 2023
Today Mark taught the final class for 2022 with a tour of Christmas Around the World. He shared results of his research of how different countries celebrate Christmas today and how historical traditions play a part. Mark selected a couple of better known countries: Germany and China and compared them with a couple of lessor know countries: Philippines and Uganda. He wrapped up by sharing some points for home from a new devotional: Jesus for Living: The daily prayers, wisdom, and guidance follow ...
Dec 18, 2022
In today’s lesson, Mark took a journey of Christmas through the Ages. He grouped how Christmas was celebrated, or not, during three periods of time following Jesus’ birth. 1. Roman. There’s no record the first church celebrated the birth of Christ. But does that make it wrong? Consider Jewish feasts not in the Old Testament writings. Yet Jesus celebrated them. 2. Medieval. Began mid to late 300s. Christmas first established on December 25th as a day of repentance. Powerful influence for good. Ch...
Dec 11, 2022
Mark was interviewed by Brent Johnson. Mark identified several folks in the audience that would be more interesting to interview than him, but the focus was on Mark this day. Brent began by asking Mark: Some fun questions like; Wild Socks, Where and Why, Quarks, What and Why and Tennis matches planned soon. You will enjoy the answers to these questions as they show a very diverse and at the same time a focused Mark. Mark then discussed why books have such a significant meaning and what he was re...
Dec 04, 2022
Pastor David Fleming continued the study in the Minor Prophets with Amos 5 & 6. His lesson contained three points: 1. What time is it? A time of peace and prosperity for Israel, but lamentations are coming. Time for God to stop the party. God is continually working out His plan and purpose. 2. What do we do? The faithful seek God and live. He is not the one lost or hiding. 3. What if we don’t? God will take away His blessings. Our pride is our undoing. Listen to Pastor Fleming share that now...
Nov 27, 2022
11-20-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued the study of Amos in the Minor Prophets Series.today’s lesson focused on important passages in Amos.The Hebrew biblical language has only 6,000 to 7,000 words.Compare that with the average English speaking person who knows 20,000 to 30,000 words.The realm of meaning for a Hebrew word contains many similes and metaphors according to what the writer intended.Improperly translating the Hebrew can lead to Scripture taken out of context and the original meani...
Nov 20, 2022
Mark continued in the study of the Minor Prophets with the final lesson on Amos. Mark focused on passages in Amos that reflected when they were written and what we can learn from those passages today. God’s word is inerrant, meaning no error. His Word is written exactly as He intended. Mark explained that we all look for Confrontation bias— confirmation that supports what we already believe. Listen to Mark expound on Scripture passages that shows us how to honor life. We are good at seeing sin i...
Nov 13, 2022
Mark interviewed Sharon Dirckx, PhD in Brain Imaging, University of Cambridge, speaker, author, and adjunct lecturer at The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Mark first posed questions to Dr. Dirckx regarding her personal and professional background. She became a Christian while attention Bristol University. Dr. Dirckx shared her testimony and how her studies of brain activity and a doctorate in brain imaging increased her faith. She has also studied theology at Oxford. Her focus last nig...
Nov 07, 2022
Mark Lanier continued with the study of The Minor Prophets - Part II of Amos. Mark shared extensive historical context and background. Amos was from Judah in the eighth century. His occupation was a breeder of cattle/sheep, a traveling consultant and dresser of figs. Mark also identified passages in Amos which speak of God’s judgment on Israel the northern kingdom. Finally in Points for Home: 1) You and I live on a timeline. 2) Do we hear the word of the Lord? 3) How do we know we are listening ...
Oct 30, 2022
Dr. David Capes taught today in the continuing study of the Minor Prophets with an introduction to Amos. The prophet Amos was a shepherd and a man of means in the 8th century BC. He prophesied the future of the northern kingdom Israel by speaking to the people what God revealed. He spoke of judgment coming against Israel and other neighboring countries and why. Although Amos’ words highlighted doom and gloom, Dr. Capes teaches, through the words of the prophet Amos, there is wisdom in obedience ...
Oct 23, 2022
10-16-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark returned to teaching on the minor prophets with the study of Obadiah. Listen to Mark explore Obadiah with insights into Israel’s culture at the time as he reveals powerful truths from the one chapter book: God is the present tense. He not a territorial God. God is 100 percent reliable. We enjoy a musical treat from Phil Keaggy based on Mark’s lyrics concerning Obadiah. Points for home include: 1) We all have a long way to go to find the holiness of God. 2) We aren...
Oct 16, 2022
During this class Pastor David Fleming and Pastor Jarrett Stephens interviewed Mark Lanier. Questions and discussion evolved around Mark’s spiritual and personal life. Listen to Mark respond to habits, family, personal tastes, what he does for fun, his method of writing, his many projects and nonfiction books that express his passion for Christ.
Oct 09, 2022
10-2-22 Biblical-Literacy Mark continued with the study of the Minor Prophets and week 3 of Jonah. Mark showed us in today’s lesson that characters drive a good story. In the 47 verses of Jonah, we not only see Jonah in action but the sailors, the Ninevites, and Jesus. Sailors: each cried out to their own god for deliverance from the storm. Ninevites: they were receptive due to the Holy Spirit’s call to repent due to plagues, revolts, and an eclipse of the sun. Jesus: shows us humility. Jonah pe...
Oct 02, 2022
Mark continued with the study of the Minor Prophets: Part II of Jonah. Mark shares examples how “stories” have always been an important means of communication. In this lesson we learn what the story of Jonah says— Of God: God speaks! God cares about all people. God plans. God saves. Of Jonah: Disobedient. Uncaring. Out of sync with God. Miserable. Of me: Importance of growing. What are my priorities? Crisis reveals character. Listen to Mark teach of how Jonah’s struggles and challenges are simil...
Sep 25, 2022
Mark continued his series on the minor prophets with study of Jonah. Mark provided critical insight into Jonah’s life and the historical context. Jonah’s job was a prophet counselor to King Jeroboam II c793 BC before God directed him to Nineveh and call the people to repentance. Instead, of obeying God’s new job, Jonah flees via boat in the opposite direction to Tarshish. Mark taught that we are to live life as a job: life is work. God has work for us to do, and we can’t run from God. We are to ...
Sep 18, 2022
Mark continued teaching the series on Minor Prophets with Joel - Part II. He divided the lesson into three parts. Before the hinge: Joel 1:1-2-11 Joel is one of God’s speakers for His message. The hinge: Joel 2-12-17 Return to Me wholeheartedly, repent, and rend your heart. After the hinge: Joel 2:19-27 God’s blessings for repentant people. God's spirit will fall on believers. Pentecost: Acts 2:16-21 Mark concludes with Points for Home as he recaps the words of God through Joel and the applicati...
Sep 11, 2022
Mark started a new series on The Minor Prophets beginning with the prophet Joel. Good indications suggest Joel is the earliest of the minor prophets. Historical context: Joel was likely written in 8th B.C. after Israel was divided. Biblical context: The Jews were entrusted the Word of God. The prophets are God’s speakers. We learn that Joel means Jehovah is God. God has a message for us. Listen to Mark discuss the history of the world during Joel’s time, Israel’s importance to the Egyptian and A...
Sep 04, 2022
Pastor Brent Johnson taught the final lesson of Snapshots of Jesus. He posed the question: How should we take action from what we’ve learned from Snapshots of Jesus? Pastor Brent encouraged us to live the Christian life as Jesus modeled during his short time on earth. We are to hear the Word of God and do it by taking action. Pastor Brent shares through scripture how we each have a responsibility to inform our world with compassion and inspiration recognizing the importance God places on relatio...
Aug 28, 2022
Dr. David Fleming was the guest lecturer continuing with the Snapshots of Jesus series. Dr. Fleming’s focus was the three “lost” parables from the Gospel of Luke and how Jesus’ was making an overall single point from the three stories. Dr. Fleming used three questions to teach from the parables: 1. What did the parable mean then to them? 2. How does the parable fit in the context? 3. What is the point of the parable? Listen to Dr. Fleming conclude with points of application for today: 1. When yo...
Aug 21, 2022
Dr. David Capes guest taught a lesson in Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Dr. Capes addressed the question of eschatology. 1. What is eschatology? Derived from two Greek words that mean final things. A branch of theology that deals with end times. It has individual and cosmic meanings. 2. A review of: Luke 11:20; Luke 12:13-21; Luke 19:11, and Luke 17:34-37 3. Conclusions drawn: this world is the realm of redemption; life is not about all the stuff, and the kingdom is already, but not...
Aug 14, 2022
Guest teacher Pastor Jarrett Stephens taught Snapshots of Jesus today from Luke 9 - The Transfiguration. The Transfiguration: God is revealing the glory of His Son Jesus to us who is 100 Percent God and 100 percent man. Pastor Jarrett compares this mountain top experience to other mountain top experiences described in scripture. 1. The Transfiguration takes place following a time of prayer 2. Only Jesus 3. We don’t see the glory of God without being changed Listen to Pastor Jarrett show us throu...
Aug 07, 2022
Mark continued his teachings on Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of John 4 that features the woman of Samaria. After reviewing the story, Mark offered insights into the passage including: Jesus didn’t have to pass through Samaria; He chose to be on mission for God. Jesus offered living water which is fresh. Jesus revealed He was the Christ. Listen to Mark teach the meaning of living/running water is a metaphor for the Holy Spirit and how we are to worship God in spirit and truth. Mark conclude...
Jul 31, 2022
Mark continued the series Snapshots of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. Mark teaches God’s great concern for the outsiders by using parables to teach His principles. 1. What are parables? A narrative or story that is told to convey an underlying message. During the time of Jesus, parables were used as a teaching tool. 2. Parables only in Luke. --The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 --The Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:13-21 --The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 3. Points for home. --Look for Jesus’...
Jul 24, 2022
Mark continued Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. This week he continued with Part II of how Jesus interacted with women. Listen to Mark expound on the passages in Luke that shows how Jesus valued women and all outsiders. God is about making life better. God is setting about reversing the world. 1. Look at Women’s passages Luke 10:38-42 Mary and Martha. Luke 11:27-28 a woman blesses Jesus because of what He says. Luke 13:10-16 Jesus heals the woman with a disabling spirit on the Sabbath...
Jul 18, 2022
Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Mark taught today’s lesson about some of the women Luke records in His Gospel as cultural outsiders who became insiders. 1. Mark referenced several women passages and then focused on a first story where Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead. 1) The Lord had compassion on the widow. 2) He said "Do not weep". 3) He touches the plank holding the dead man. 4) He speaks to the dead man to rise. A second story was when a woman anointed Jesus with Alabaste...
Jul 11, 2022
Dr. David Capes taught Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. This week, his focus was from Luke 10 with the lawyer’s question to Jesus: What is the goal of life? He expanded on: 1. Some possible answers to that question: 1) meaningless, 2) get all you can, and/or life, 3) liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 2. Famous story: a lawyer asked Jesus what should he do to inherit eternal life? Jesus first responded with the story commonly known as the Good Samaritan. The lawyer then asked for c...
Jul 04, 2022
6-26-22 Biblical Literacy Mark continued sharing Snapshots of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. This week’s theme focused on U-turns. Luke shows how the world is off course, but God is reversing the world. Good news: Elizabeth becomes pregnant in her old age with John the Baptist who will turn many of the children of Israel to God. Mary learns she is pregnant with Jesus who will sacrifice his life for the world. Bad news: God has scattered the proud and mighty. Good news for the needy. Bad news for...
Jun 26, 2022
6-19-2022 Biblical Literacy Mark continued with Snapshots of Jesus transitioning to the Gospel of Luke. Mark explained Luke’s background, the author of Luke and Acts. Luke uses the pronoun “they” when the events were told to him, and “he” when he was not an eyewitness. Luke puts the sources by name into his accountings, showing his attention to detail. Luke, the physician and historian traveled with Paul during a voyage. For some New Testament passages, both writers appeared to share the same no...
Jun 19, 2022
