Sunday takeaways.

Mark preached on Mark 11:1-11, Christ's "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem and the beginning of the passion narrative. He drew from the passage four characteristics of Jesus:

• Jesus is brave: when Christ told his disciples to get the colt, he was beginning a sequence of events that He knew would lead to His crucifixion.
• Jesus is humble: he did not come in war and judgment, but came in peace to be given over into the hands of violent sinners.
• Jesus trusted God: Jesus knew their praises were evanescent (excitement is not faith), but He was trusting God in this trial.
• Jesus loved sinners: no need to explain, just look at the cross.

I was challenged to think about whether I was brave and learning from Christ to take courage and follow God wherever He would lead me--especially in evangelism. Does my humility point to Christ? Am I easily offended? What has challenged my trust in God this past week? Suffering? Prosperity? Loneliness? Do others need to earn my love or do I give it freely? Who am I sacrificing for at this moment?

At evening service, Garret preached on Psalm 148:1 and we pondered God's majesty and thought about how we are to respond to His majesty. He is worthy, but we want to hold onto our "dingy crowns."

One of the hymns we sung at evening service was "My Times of Sorrow and of Joy" by Benjamin Beddome (1778). Thought the words were particularly striking:

My times of sorrow and of joy, great God, are in thy hand:

My choicest comforts come from Thee, and go at Thy command.

If Thou should'st take them all away, yet would I not repine:

Before they were possess'd by me, they were entirely Thine.

Nor would I drop a murm'ring word, tho' the whole world were gone;

But seek enduring happiness in Thee, and Thee alone.

Here perfect bliss can ne'er be found, the honey's mix'd with gall;

Midst changing scenes and dying friends, be Thou my all in all.

General Updates:

• Got an interview with Sentia Group for a summer research associate position this summer.
• Sunday school went well, the kids are really great (and crazy)!
• Been listening through the T4G talks, highly recommended.
• I'm having a deep desire to play my trumpet, but can't play in dorm rooms and don't have access to music practice rooms; I guess batcave roomies will have to suffer.