If your family is like our family, lots of things have been starting lately.  School is back, classes are underway, kids sports have had a couple games, college and pro football have had their first clashes on the field.  It's all very exciting and there's a lot more to come.

Our sermon series in Mark is underway, as well.  What we've covered in Mark in one chapter takes a few chapters in each of the other Gospels, so we're weeks, maybe months ahead of where we would normally be preaching through a Gospel.  Jesus has been baptized, tempted in the wilderness, started preaching, and called his first disciples - all in the first 20 verses!  In this week's passage, Jesus brings the full range of His powers, unleashing miracles and spiritual weapons on the forces of darkness.  In addition to His astonishing preaching, there are now astonishing actions like exorcisms and healings.  One chapter into Mark and Jesus has already created a huge stir that threatens to get out of hand as more people learn about it and try to find Him.  It's all very exciting and there's a lot more to come.

We know there are dark forces still at work today.  That was proved when the NE Patriots signed Antonio Brown this past weekend, bringing two demonic forces together.  Sorta kidding!  See you Sunday when we can delve deeply into this passage, and I promise I won't talk about football anymore.  -Dave