Mark: Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil.
Perhaps I am not alone in thinking that Mark's words hit pretty close to home. Maybe I've listened to an inspiring speaker, or attended a conference and thought, "I'm definitely going to make that part of my daily practice."
A day or two, a week if I'm lucky, goes by and the feeling drops away, life gets in the way, and the practice doesn't stick. Pretty soon, I can barely remember who said what and I'm back to my usual routine, albeit a skosh wiser.
I'm like that seed that fell on rocky ground, where there was just enough soil to get started but not enough to let the roots take hold. Bits of the practice or wisdom stick around, but it's not until I go deeper in meditation or prayer, carrying those seeds into the depths of my being that things begin to take hold. The practice becomes part of my daily life, baby steps, each time digging a little deeper until the roots become solid and strong.
I'm going to continue learning and listening, fully confident that the seed might fall on rocky soil, to begin with, but with more prayer, will find the fertile soil.
April 5
Matthew: Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,
Mark: Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil.
Luke: Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.
John: So he came to a Samaritan city called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Acts: The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,
Romans: But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
1 Corinthians: Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God.
2 Corinthians: For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.
Galatians: in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.
Ephesians: one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Philippians: Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Colossians: Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.
1 Thessalonians: not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
1 Timothy: for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.
2 Timothy: As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Hebrews: And again in this place it says, “They shall not enter my rest.”
James: Or do you suppose that it is for nothing that the scripture says, “God yearns jealously for the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
1 Peter: But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 John: They are from the world; therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them.
Revelation: Coming from the throne are flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and in front of the throne burn seven flaming torches, which are the seven spirits of God;