It was great to get away with family for the girls’ Spring Break last week. We were able to spend a few days in the Florida sun, and it was fun. A couple of highlights:

Having dinner with one of my mentors, former FBC pastor, JC Mitchell, and his wife, Carol. Although JC is almost 88, he is still going strong. In fact, he has planted a huge vegetable garden, which he tends every day. He sends his love to everyone at FBC-Suffolk.

Visiting Wekiwa Springs State Park. When I was in youth group at FBC, we did several trips to Winter Park, Florida, to do backyard Bible clubs and evangelism with FBC Winter Park (where Dr. Mitchell was pastor). On those trips, the group would spend an afternoon at Wekiwa Springs. It was so fun to go there again with my girls, and allow them to experience a place where I had so many good times when I was their age. Courtney and I paddle boarded for the first time, which was incredibly fun…even when we paddled past an alligator!

I am thankful for Michael Anderson and Michael Turner, who preached in my stead this past Sunday. We are blessed to have both Michaels and David on our staff. They all possess wonderful gifts and servants’ hearts.

This Sunday we are going to get back to our study of the Gospel of Mark. We’ll pick up right where we left off before Palm Sunday. Mark 3:7-19 will be our text for this Lord’s Day. As you read over it in preparation, consider the following:

Imagine a world without modern medicine. How did people without access to it respond to the healing ministry of Jesus? Even in a world with modern medicine, we still face all kinds of sicknesses, especially the sickness of sin. Why aren’t we as desperate to get to Jesus as the crowds we see in this text?People were flocking to Jesus from every direction, including Gentile areas. What does this say about God’s saving purpose?What can we learn about the call to discipleship from this text?Once again, we see Jesus confronting demons. Why does Mark refer to them as “unclean spirits?” How is demonic power present in our world today, and how should we respond to it?

This is one powerful text, with much to say to each of us. It has impacted me this week as I’ve studied, and I can’t wait to share it with you on Sunday. See you then!

See you this Sunday!

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.