Real Bible Studies: Matthew 18, Mark 9

The Greatest In both Gospels, the Disciples ask Yeshua who’ll be greatest. As is usual, Matthew puts a slightly different spin on it than Mark. In Mark, the question is posed in such a way to imply the Disciples are asking which is the greatest among them, but Matthew frames it as the greatest in … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Matthew 18, Mark 9

Real Bible Studies: Mark 2-5

Many episodes in Mark are repeated in Matthew, who almost always puts his own spin on them. Frequently, Matthew summarizes passages Mark embellishes and expands on topics Mark summarizes. Matthew also mixes and matches stories that are connected in Mark, possibly to obscure when the events are occurring.  In addition to not offering a nativity … Continue reading Real Bible Studies: Mark 2-5

Boom Town: Introduction

10 January 2016: Marietta Street, Atlanta, Georgia. “Associated Press, Atlanta, Georgia, March 15, 2013: Officials with the Cairo Foundation will neither confirm nor deny reports concerning the disappearance of founder David Cairo and several associates during the recent uprising in the Congo. Sources report contact was lost on Saturday when rebels overran the compound the … Continue reading Boom Town: Introduction

Author’s Intent: Writing Prompts

I very rarely use writing prompts. This is usually because I don’t have much trouble initiating a writing project. I can almost always think of something to write. It’s converting it to meaningful output that’s the challenge. My method is to start writing, regardless of how it sounds, then once I have something on the … Continue reading Author’s Intent: Writing Prompts

Real Bible Studies, Matthew and Mark

Tradition of the Elders Chapters 15-16 of Matthew are an almost word for word insertion from Mark 7-8 though Matthew makes several changes to the source material. Both cite passages from various scriptures in condemning the Pharisees and Scribes for dishonoring their elders (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Exodus 21:17, Leviticus 20:9). Given that Yeshua himself … Continue reading Real Bible Studies, Matthew and Mark

Songbird: Rebecca and Alyssa

10 June 2017: Mason Mill Park, Atlanta, Georgia. Rebecca is seated in the living room chatting with Alyssa Walker, a friend she met during Spring Break in 1999. They haven’t seen one another since, until that afternoon when they ran into each other at Lenox Mall. They’ve been catching up between classic films Rebecca has … Continue reading Songbird: Rebecca and Alyssa