Jeff Lark

I  remember the seminary assignment like it was yesterday (though it was nearly 20 years ago).  "Observe Acts 1:8 and come back to class tomorrow with 50 observations."  That night I diligently observed and observed and observed some more.  Observation #48....observation #49..........and finally, observation #50.  The next day I walked into class, exhausted, yet proud of my efforts (and accomplishment).  Prof looked at us and said, "good job, now your assignment for tonight is to find 50 more observations...from the same verse."  As I labored over the phrase, "and you will be my witnesses...to the end of the earth", my very last observation (number #100!) was, "we are not to evangelize other planets."   Needless to say, I was taught to observe the Bible.  In fact, this recent video by Desiring God resonates with me.  I have spent my life (at least much of the last 20 years observing and observing and observing the Bible.   ...

Again, some context for these stories: I absolutely love the Jesus Storybook Bible . I have read it to my kids and have used it countless times in a class that I teach with Cru. I love its focus and its style and its simplicity and at the same time its depth.   But the one thing I don't love about it is that there isn't enough of it. So, I have begun writing stories that Sally Lloyd-Jones doesn't cover in the JSB for my 7 year old son. Because of how much my kids have loved the JSB, I have attempted to capture the tone and focus and style of Sally's writing (including some of her great phrases). Not sure if I have succeeded or not, but they have provided rich times of reading when I tuck my son in bed at night. I wanted to begin to occasionally share these in case you wanted to share them with your kids (or enjoy them for yourself). God's Most Favorite Day   The Day of Atonement - Leviticus 16 As the people of God were travelin...

Again, some context for these stories: I absolutely love the Jesus Storybook Bible . I have read it to my kids and have used it countless times in a class that I teach with Cru. I love its focus and its style and its simplicity and at the same time its depth.   But the one thing I don't love about it is that there isn't enough of it. So, I have begun writing stories that Sally Lloyd-Jones doesn't cover in the JSB for my 7 year old son. Because of how much my kids have loved the JSB, I have attempted to capture the tone and focus and style of Sally's writing (including some of her great phrases). Not sure if I have succeeded or not, but they have provided rich times of reading when I tuck my son in bed at night. I wanted to begin to occasionally share these in case you wanted to share them with your kids (or enjoy them for yourself). The Golden god Exodus 32 Now that God had given His people the 10 rules, the people would now know exactly...

Again, some context for these stories: I absolutely love the Jesus Storybook Bible . I have read it to my kids and have used it countless times in a class that I teach with Cru. I love its focus and its style and its simplicity and at the same time its depth.   But the one thing I don't love about it is that there isn't enough of it. So, I have begun writing stories that Sally Lloyd-Jones doesn't cover in the JSB for my 7 year old son. Because of how much my kids have loved the JSB, I have attempted to capture the tone and focus and style of Sally's writing (including some of her great phrases). Not sure if I have succeeded or not, but they have provided rich times of reading when I tuck my son in bed at night. I wanted to begin to occasionally share these in case you wanted to share them with your kids (or enjoy them for yourself). The Sneaky Little Trickster - Jacob and Esau Genesis 27:1-49 Abraham had been given the special promise by...

Here's the second story that I've writen for my 7 year old.   But I definitely want to give credit where credit is due. So, here's some context again: I absolutely love the Jesus Storybook Bible . I have read it to my kids and have used it countless times in a class that I teach with Cru. I love its focus and its style and its simplicity and at the same time its depth.   But the one thing I don't love about it is that there isn't enough of it. So, I have begun writing stories that Sally Lloyd-Jones doesn't cover in the JSB for my 7 year old son. Because of how much my kids have loved the JSB, I have attempted to capture the tone and focus and style of Sally's writing (including some of her great phrases). Not sure if I have succeeded or not, but they have provided rich times of reading when I tuck my son in bed at night. I wanted to begin to occasionally share these in case you wanted to share them with your kids (or enjoy them for yo...

I absolutely love the Jesus Storybook Bible . I have read it to my kids and have used it countless times in a class that I teach with Cru. I love its focus and its style and its simplicity and at the same time its depth.   But the one thing I don't love about it is that there isn't enough of it. So, I have begun writing stories that Sally Lloyd-Jones doesn't cover in the JSB for my 7 year old son. Because of how much my kids have loved the JSB, I have attempted to capture the tone and focus and style of Sally's writing (including some of her great phrases). Not sure if I have succeeded or not, but they have provided rich times of reading when I tuck my son in bed at night. I wanted to begin to occasionally share these in case you wanted to share them with your kids (or enjoy them for yourself). Here's the first one: Galatians - The One Thing They Forgot Now Paul (you know, the one who was knocked off his horse by Jesus and then couldn’...

Walking beyond the cross Reflection #6 HE’S (WE’RE) NOT DEAD "having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead." (Col. 2:12) Saturday must have been a dismal day for the disciples.  Three years wasted…Kingdom aspirations down the drain…embarrassment… depression… hopelessness…not wanting to show their faces.  But, everything changed Sunday…more than they could have imagined.  It wasn’t that the resurrection saved face.  And, it wasn’t that the resurrection provided them with the grit and determination to show the world that they were right all along.  Instead, the resurrection provided life – resurrected-power life.    Co-resurrection is the essence of Easter.  He’s been resurrected…I’ve been resurrected.  He’s been raised and seated…I’ve been raised and seated with him.  He’s conquered death…deat...