/----------/ Acts Chronicles Chapter 15 (Pt2): Eden Gained: Paul's Response To Barnabas Regarding John Mark
It was a cold day in Eden my friend when Satan slyly slithered up the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil
promulgating predilections for a better life
promising that there is a secret place, peaceful
respite from an eternity of bland familiarity and barbaric naivete
repose for a raving roughshod soul ill at ease reclining in
the limitations of power, adherence to the command previously given
I can hear the melodic massage of titillation in his voice
and almost feel the creeping consternation with Eve's complaceny
and Adam's silence
but even more palpable to me is God's gloom
and the stinging searing finality of singeing flames scorching
leaves and shrubs, scattering salamanders and seagulls
by two archangels righteous indignation in their eyes
disdain on their furrowed brows
the burning sword of God's wrath drawn above their heads
poised to strike against willful disobedience
recalcitrance
against any man who puts his hand on the plow and dares
look back
or yet worse, lets his hands fall completely
and abandons us not to be heard from again for months!
leaving unfinished the preaching of the Gospel of Hope entrusted to us
it was for sin like this, biting the fruit of convenience and
psychological sloth
that I became blind, lead around hapless like a filfthy mule
licking dust off the ground
only the sweet balm of the message of Christ crucified again allowed me to see
the narrow path
and comprehend this
steep ascent of preaching is not for the called but for the chosen; the fate
of our very world hangs in the balance
and to this Hope I steadfastly cleave always
whispers in John Mark's ear suggesting selfishness over sacrifice
are echoes of this past we all do well failing to call to remembrance
losing the knowledge we gained thereof
though always mindful of the treacherous deception of the forked tongue
and coarse scales
thorns and thistles, unbearable pain in childbearing
smoke rising
from reprobate fickleness, duplicity, and disingenuous commitment
lukewarmness is the hand that will cast our body of the Gospel into sin
cut him off, and cast him off Barnabas
(I mean it)
lest we all burn
and lose Eden a second time
--------Acts 15:30-41
So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches
