Author Archives: brentsummerhill

The Livestock Psalm 104 Psalm 104 begins with language befitting the greatness of God. He is covered with light, lays the beams of his chambers on the waters, makes the clouds his chariots, rides on the wings of the wind… … Continue reading →

Something to Eat Mark 5:35-43 The story started a few paragraphs earlier. Jairus’ daughter was sick at the point of death. He begs Jesus to come and heal her. A sick child can humble even a ruler of the synagogue. … Continue reading →

Who Touched Me? Mark 5:21-34 She had heard reports about Jesus. He was a healer. He was compassionate. He taught with authority. He forgave sins. She believed and was convinced that if she could get through the crowd and touch … Continue reading →

Beyond Help Mark 5:1-20 No one could bind him. No one could subdue him. I assume that at some point someone had actually tried to help him, but no one could. Now he was that guy – the freak in … Continue reading →

Already Filling Mark 4:35-41 This wasn’t some piddling problem, some nuisance of a rain shower, some choppy sea. This was a windstorm – emphasis on storm. The waves were taller than the boat. A patch behind the ear wasn’t going … Continue reading →

Come Isaiah 55:1-13 Thirsty? Come to the waters. You are parched and perishing not for lack of supply, but for hardness of heart. Hungry? Come, buy and eat. Have nothing to offer for payment? Worry not. None do. The price … Continue reading →

A Grain of Mustard Seed Mark 4:30-34 To what would we compare the Kingdom of God? A mighty oak? A majestic mountain or maybe a mountain range? The depths of the sea, the heights of the heavens? Surely, something grand … Continue reading →

When the Grain is Ripe Mark 4:26-29 In first century agriculture, the farmer sowed the seed and waited. Even with modern technology, farming is still about sowing and waiting. Waiting for the grain to ripen for harvest. Waiting is often … Continue reading →

Let It Shine! Mark 4:21-25 You didn’t dare say No! to mom at home. But in Sunday School, you could scream it at the top of your lungs. Hide it under a bushel? NO! Teaching in parables, Jesus was preparing … Continue reading →

Some Will Bear Fruit Mark 4:1-20 Farmers sow seed to reap a harvest of fruit. That’s the point of farming. It was a rather rudimentary exercise in the first century, without the aid of modern mechanization. Farmers were limited in … Continue reading →