In Spirit and Truth

Mark 4:35-5:43 Peter grew up on the sea, an accomplished fisherman, a skill he learned from his father, and father’s father. But this day Peter was about to face waves he had never before seen, created by a storm he could not navigate. It all started with a simple enough request. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go to the other side.” Peter had made this journey hundreds of times, but today was different. As they made their way across the sea a violent storm rose up; a storm so violent that these seasoned fishermen feared for their life (4:38). But this storm was only the beginning of their wild ride. With a word Jesus stilled the storm. Safe on land, amazed, bewildered, and thankful to be alive – the disciples stumbled out of the boat. They came out of one storm, only to walk straight into another; a man who could no longer control himself, nor be controlled. His compulsions had taken over, and he had given into his demons. This was the last place they wanted to be. The graveyard

"The zeal for Your house will consume me" John 2:17 Here in the birth state of Wal-mart, we know what it means to consume. We know that the reason Wal-mart exists is because when we buy things, we use them. When we use things, we lose them. When we lose things, we need more things! And we know that when something is consumed, it is used up, and is no longer useful. Isn't that the point of consuming? But what if something could be consumed, and yet retain its properties? What if something could be assimilated and yet retain autonomy? God's economics seem to run this way. When God consumes something, it continues to be useful after consumption! In John 4:13-14 Jesus talks about consuming living water and never thirsting again; In Exodus 3:2 Fire engulfs the bush, and yet the bush doesn't burn up; and In Acts 2 the Spirit of God envelopes the disciples and they become more useful than ever. But what does it matter? How does this effect us? Simply this, the Spirit of