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If you had miraculous powers and could do anything, what would you do? How would you use them? Why would you use them? Would you try to impress somebody? To benefit yourself? Many of us would use our supernatural powers to help other people ... but only if it didn’t cost us anything. As we continue our journey through the life of Jesus, we come to a story which shows the miracle-working power of Jesus. Here's one thing we learn: Compassion is more than a feeling. It is a feeling that leads to redemptive action.If you’re just joining us, we’ve been looking at the life of Jesus as recorded by Mark, one of his earliest followers. In chapter 6, we came across a similar story – a similar miracle. Now in chapter 8 we find Jesus performing the same miracle again ... 1 During those days another large crowd gathered.…

Like many of you, I grew up playing Little League baseball and pick-up games in the school yard. If you didn't swing at a bad pitch, someone would you tell you a “good eye.” At some point, every kid was told “Keep your eye on the ball.” When our girls were little and just starting to play softball, I developed a jingle that I thought would help them become better hitters. "Too high, let it fly. Too low, let it go." Unfortunately, it never caught on. What is true in baseball, is also true in life – we have a natural tendency to take our eye off the ball. One easy mistake to make when it comes to living the spiritual life is this: we focus on our external behavior while neglecting our inner person. We take our eyes off the ball. Which is unfortunate because a healthy spiritual life grows…

Many of the religious leaders who opposed Jesus had a very external – or performance-based – view of religion. To them, maintaining the appearance of being spiritual was as important as actually being spiritual; in some cases, it was even more important. Jesus understood that much of this behavior was based on human traditions, not the commands of God. Jesus redefined a healthy spiritual life as preceding from the inside out, rather than from the outside in.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here.

This story highlights the tension between a human response and the response of faith. Jesus had already instructed his disciples that they were going to the other side of the lake. In the meantime, a “furious squall” hits the boat, causing the disciples to panic (which is the normal human response). We face the same situation when we live in the space between receiving God’s promises and experiencing the fulfillment of those promises. In that in-between space there is often challenges and discouragement. Jesus is able to remain calm – asleep – because he knows that he is in control.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in…

How do you picture Jesus? Many people picture Jesus surrounded by a group of well-behaved children. Or, Jesus is holding a lamb or praying (usually with a halo over his head - just like you and me!). When C.S. Lewis wrote Chronicles of Narnia, he portrayed Jesus as a lion called Aslan. In the first book, a young girl named Lucy is about to meet Aslan for the first time. She asks her guide, “Is he a safe lion?” “Safe? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Following Jesus isn’t always safe – if safe means the absence of trials or challenges. As we will see in today's story, your faith is developed when it gets challenged by a storm. In today’s passage, it’s a literal storm. It happens on the Sea of Galilee, which is nearly 8 miles long and 700 feet below…