Fort Matanzas Beach - “What Shall a Man Give in Exchange for his Soul?

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

Mark 8:34-38

Pennisula State Park, Wisconsin - "Hosanna"

 

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Mark 11:9-10

The Winds and Waves Obey Him

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.  Jesus was in the stern sleeping on a cushion.  The disciples woke him and said to him, 'Teacher, don't you care if we drown?' 

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet!  Be Still!'  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid?  Do you still have no faith?' 

They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this?  Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Mark 4:37-41 NIV

Peace! Be Still!

 

 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace!  Be Still!"  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

~Mark 4:39 ESV

Healing Touch

 

These pictures are from Garden of the Gods, a silhouette of the canyons stretching across the horizon.  The healing touch of nature is what I seek when I need calmness and serenity in my life.  Jesus stretches out his hand to give a handling touch for those who seek him.  When our daughter died, I couldn't sleep or rest without tears falling.  I was in anguish, my heart was broken and the tears fell endlessly.  It was my husband holding me in his arms until I finally went to sleep each night that helped to calm and comfort me.  Through my husband actions, I experience God's presence in those moments of anguish and sorrow.

Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him.  ~Mark 1:41 NRSV