Bible – Mark Conner

ORIGINS: Genesis Re-Visited

Mark Conner — Wed, 14 Aug 2019 07:04:38 +0000

The book of Genesis is a narrative of the origins of the world, but in particular the family of Abraham. Three major world religions trace their roots back to Abraham – Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The first 11 chapters cover what is often referred to as ‘pre-history’: from the beginnings of the universe through just after Noah and the flood.… Read the rest

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Kevin Conner’s Legacy

Mark Conner — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 01:04:44 +0000

It’s hard to believe my dear dad, Kevin Conner, is gone. He passed away peacefully just over 4 months ago. He had recently turned 92 years of age.

I miss him. However, his legacy lives on in our hearts and lives … and in his contributions.… Read the rest

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Psalm 23

Mark Conner — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 10:37:21 +0000

Psalm 23 is one of the world's most well-known Psalms, written by King David. It has been a source of comfort and encouragement to people from all ages and generations.

Below is the entire Psalm from The Message Bible translation. I encourage you to read it through slowly, taking in every word and phrase. The… Read the rest

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Reflections on Psalm 139 (Part 4)

Mark Conner — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 05:00:00 +0000

As we said when we began these reflections, the writer of Psalm 139 was facing many challenges from unjust people and oppressors. In this context, a hymn of adoration was crafted, declaring that (1) God is always with us, (2) God's affections are towards us, and (3) we have a unique purpose. … Read the rest

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Reflections of Psalm 139 (Part 2)

Mark Conner — Sun, 20 Aug 2017 05:00:00 +0000

As we continue our reflections on Psalm 139, we move on from the awareness that God is always with us to the understanding that you, like every other human being, are made in the image of God.

Let's read on …

Vs.13-15.… Read the rest

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Reflections on Psalm 139 (Part 1)

Mark Conner — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 05:00:00 +0000

This beautiful Psalm begins by boldly declaring that God knows all about us, will never let us go, and has been involved with us from our earliest beginnings (vs.1-18). The latter part of the Psalm provides the context – one of feeling the injustice of people who go about doing wrong and need to be held to account (vs.19-23).… Read the rest

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Living with JOY

Mark Conner — Sun, 06 Aug 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Over the last month or so, I have been gradually reading through the book of Psalms in The Message Bible translation. It's a wonderful collection of songs and poetry, expressing the full range of human emotion: disappointment, frustration, anger and hope, as well as praise, worship and joy.… Read the rest

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The Book of Job and the Question of Suffering (Part 3)

Mark Conner — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 06:00:00 +0000

Today, we conclude our reflections on the book of Job.

What the book of Job CAN do for us:

1. It teaches us to be careful and compassionate in how we respond to people who are suffering. When people are suffering, they don’t need theological debates (“maybe this is an attack from the devil”), personal accusations (“maybe God is punishing you for sin in your life”) or advice for a ‘quick fix’ to their calamity (“if only you had more faith in God …”).

… Read the rest

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The Book of Job and the Question of Suffering (Part 2)

Mark Conner — Wed, 31 May 2017 06:00:00 +0000

Today, we continue our reflections on the book of Job.

What the book of Job does NOT do for us:

1. It does not answer the question as to 'why' there is suffering in the world today. Theodicy

… Read the rest

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The Book of Job and the Question of Suffering (Part 1)

Mark Conner — Tue, 30 May 2017 06:00:00 +0000

Over the last few months, I have been slowly reading through the book of Job in The Message Bible translation, reflecting on it, and also reading John Walton's excellent commentary on Job in the NIV Application Commentary series, as well as Tremper Longman III's book on Job in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms.

… Read the rest

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The Greatest Love Song of All Time (Pt.2)

Mark Conner — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 04:54:00 +0000

Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to read through the Song of Songs – an extraordinary love poem.

How can we apply the insights from this love poem to our own lives today?

What efforts are you making to keep the romance of your love relationship alive?

… Read the rest

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The Greatest Love Song of All Time (Pt.1)

Mark Conner — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 04:52:00 +0000

Everyone likes love songs. They fill the radio waves throughout the day. I can still remember enjoying the crooning voice of Lionel Richie singing "Hello, is it me you're looking for?" in my late teens. There is something deeply profound about the desire and yearning of one person for another.

… Read the rest

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The Quest for Life’s Meaning (3)

Mark Conner — Sat, 08 Apr 2017 17:00:00 +0000

Ecclesiastes is a controversial book – is it a positive affirmation of the joy of life or a deeply pessimistic view of the world? Either way, it resonates deeply with the existential struggles of people today. The book takes us on a roller-coaster ride as the main character sets out to explore the meaning of life.

… Read the rest

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The Quest for Life’s Meaning (Pt.2)

Mark Conner — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 17:00:00 +0000

The book of Ecclesiastes is a fine piece of inspired literary work, carefully crafted to convey an important message about the quest for the meaning of life. There is a Narrator who frames this royal story (1:1-11 and 12:8-14), a story which is made up of the actual words and thoughts of someone we will refer to as the Quester (1:12 – 12:7).

… Read the rest

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The Quest for Life’s Meaning (Pt.1)

Mark Conner — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:54:25 +0000

Every since I was a kid, I have loved books. Whether it was visiting the local library, hanging out in my dad’s office, or sitting reading encyclopaedias while my parents were visiting with friends, books were a doorway to a world of experience, information and knowledge.

… Read the rest

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