It is Easter Week! Yesterday in worship we answered question two of three in our series 'III.' 'My God why have you forsaken me?' Our sin demanded the sacrifice of God's Son, Jesus. Jesus paid our debt in full and now we are called into His life. Yesterday, was a beautiful celebration of grace as we came to the cross, came to the table and celebrated the abundant life we have in Christ. I love worshiping God! I really love worshiping God at Emmanuel! I love that we get to laugh, sing, cry, pray, grow, live life, and just enjoy God together! He moves in powerful ways here all the time...I'm still singing "You're worthy. You're worthy. You're worthy. You're worthy to be praised forever and a day!"
This week students are on spring break (as I came into church this morning I was greeted by a ton of students who were here all night sleeping outside in cardboard boxes for Interrupted) and many of you will take some time out to relax. Some of you will keep working like every other week. This week we want to take time as a church and be intentional about remembering. Let's remember who God is...what He has done...His incredible love...His indescribable mercy...His unshakable power...the beautiful cross...the empty tomb...let's remember.
At the close of worship yesterday we challenged everyone to take time to remember the Easter story...the story that changes our lives, not just one day a year, but every day of the year! Parents read the story with your kids. Explain to them why Jesus had to die...and why He was willing to do it. Teach your families the Gospel. Let's be reminded just how good He is! Below is a list of daily readings that will take you from the Triumphal Entry, to the cross, to the the empty tomb. Read these, talk about them, and come ready Easter Sunday to celebrate our Risen King
Monday Mark 11:1-25
Tuesday Mark 11:27-33, 12:28-54
Wednesday Mark 14:1-26
Thursday Mark 14:27-72
Friday Mark 15:1-41
Saturday Mark 15:1-47
Sunday Mark 16:1-16
The empty grave is singing out its shouting out...He is alive! He is alive! And we are free!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Can we just take a moment and celebrate some big wins going on right now in the life of our church....?
Last Sunday, 9 people let the world know that they are on the journey of faith and are committed followers of Christ as they plunged the baptismal waters. The old person is dead, now alive in Christ.
We saw such a beautiful picture of how God's love works, as the Stapp family stood before the church and dedicated their newly adopted (and so ridiculously cute) daughter, Eliana. If you weren't there, get Joe to tell you the story. I think the whole church was in tears. God's grace is so stunning!
Life change is happening. We have gotten some amazing stories back of how God is changing people's lives. One story in particular someone shared was how coming to EBC was the first time they had ever truly understood God's love and the truth of the Gospel. How cool is that?
I had the chance to walk around the campus last night and snap some pictures of ministry in action. It was a beautiful thing. I saw some preschoolers super-engaged in learning Bible stories. I aw our elementary Puggles praying together. Our students were being taught Christian worldview and the truth of God's Word. A group of men gathered together for accountability, fellowship, and time in the Word. Small groups off campus....and tons of volunteers here on campus seeing that it all gets done. What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ at work.
We finished up our series Great Expectations with a band. Here are the truths we are walking away with...let's live them out. Our faith isn't something we talk about. It is something we live. Faith it!
Learn to Trust - God turns fear into Faith
Look up to Worship - God turns Pride into Worship
Love God more - God turns Lust into Love
Leave history where it belongs - God transforms guilt with truth
Let go, because Jesus did - God turns unforgiveness into grace-full forgiveness
Learn to wait - God turns our impatience into trust, trust in His perfect timing and perfect plan.
Let's walk in these truths, living by faith, and showing that our God truly is greater!
In grace and for glory...
Last Sunday, 9 people let the world know that they are on the journey of faith and are committed followers of Christ as they plunged the baptismal waters. The old person is dead, now alive in Christ.
We saw such a beautiful picture of how God's love works, as the Stapp family stood before the church and dedicated their newly adopted (and so ridiculously cute) daughter, Eliana. If you weren't there, get Joe to tell you the story. I think the whole church was in tears. God's grace is so stunning!
Life change is happening. We have gotten some amazing stories back of how God is changing people's lives. One story in particular someone shared was how coming to EBC was the first time they had ever truly understood God's love and the truth of the Gospel. How cool is that?
I had the chance to walk around the campus last night and snap some pictures of ministry in action. It was a beautiful thing. I saw some preschoolers super-engaged in learning Bible stories. I aw our elementary Puggles praying together. Our students were being taught Christian worldview and the truth of God's Word. A group of men gathered together for accountability, fellowship, and time in the Word. Small groups off campus....and tons of volunteers here on campus seeing that it all gets done. What a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ at work.
We finished up our series Great Expectations with a band. Here are the truths we are walking away with...let's live them out. Our faith isn't something we talk about. It is something we live. Faith it!
Learn to Trust - God turns fear into Faith
Look up to Worship - God turns Pride into Worship
Love God more - God turns Lust into Love
Leave history where it belongs - God transforms guilt with truth
Let go, because Jesus did - God turns unforgiveness into grace-full forgiveness
Learn to wait - God turns our impatience into trust, trust in His perfect timing and perfect plan.
Let's walk in these truths, living by faith, and showing that our God truly is greater!
In grace and for glory...
Monday, March 01, 2010
I am not sure who said the following, but it is an awesome statement. 'The cross is the great equalizer of all men.' I'm not sure if that is a direct quote or a paraphrase. I just know I've heard it, and I can't take credit for it. But man, is it ever true. No matter age, stage, economic status, race, nationality, intelligence...we are all on equal ground at the cross.
This Sunday was challenging. I know it was hard for many. I think it is sometimes easier to understand the truth of our forgiveness of sin in Christ than it is to forgive others. There were some great moments in worship yesterday that I think we need to remember as we journey on the road of forgiveness and being conformed to the image of our Savior:
- How we can look at the cross and see our Savior and His blood shed for our sin, and then turn and look at our neighbor, friend, or enemy with any kind of bitterness or unforgiveness?
- We never quite as much like Christ as when we forgive.
- Our forgiveness of others does not condone their actions, rather it releases us to the life God is calling us to.
- Our command to forgive is not contingent upon someone else's apology or change of behavior.
- Bitterness only gives the illusion of control. We think we are making people 'pay' for what they have done by harboring bitterness. Truthfully, we are only making ourselves pay by forfeiting the peace God gives and failing to forgive for His glory.
- It glorifies God when we forgive. Our forgiveness toward others is an act of worship and demonstrates that we truly comprehend the message of the Gospel. We can't forgive others unless we understand that we are forgiven in Christ.
Lyrics to one of the songs we sang: "I can forgive as I've been forgiven/show the mercy that is shown me/not just for my sake/but for Your glory/sets me free/now I'm free.
Our memory verses this week: Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
We have been shown incredibly mercy. Mercy and grace that we didn't deserve. Let's not delay in showing others this same mercy and grace. It could be the thing that God uses to bring them to Himself.
This Sunday was challenging. I know it was hard for many. I think it is sometimes easier to understand the truth of our forgiveness of sin in Christ than it is to forgive others. There were some great moments in worship yesterday that I think we need to remember as we journey on the road of forgiveness and being conformed to the image of our Savior:
- How we can look at the cross and see our Savior and His blood shed for our sin, and then turn and look at our neighbor, friend, or enemy with any kind of bitterness or unforgiveness?
- We never quite as much like Christ as when we forgive.
- Our forgiveness of others does not condone their actions, rather it releases us to the life God is calling us to.
- Our command to forgive is not contingent upon someone else's apology or change of behavior.
- Bitterness only gives the illusion of control. We think we are making people 'pay' for what they have done by harboring bitterness. Truthfully, we are only making ourselves pay by forfeiting the peace God gives and failing to forgive for His glory.
- It glorifies God when we forgive. Our forgiveness toward others is an act of worship and demonstrates that we truly comprehend the message of the Gospel. We can't forgive others unless we understand that we are forgiven in Christ.
Lyrics to one of the songs we sang: "I can forgive as I've been forgiven/show the mercy that is shown me/not just for my sake/but for Your glory/sets me free/now I'm free.
Our memory verses this week: Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
We have been shown incredibly mercy. Mercy and grace that we didn't deserve. Let's not delay in showing others this same mercy and grace. It could be the thing that God uses to bring them to Himself.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Grace is so mind-blowingly, surreally, amazing. To think that we have a God who is so big, so great, and so powerful; a God who is holy; a God who is perfect; a God who for the sake of His glory would literally become sin on the cross so that we might have righteousness - to think about that just makes you melt in awe and worship.
This is a glorious, just, righteous, and loving God who takes the guilt of His children upon Himself. How beautiful.
These are words to a song by Aaron Keyes that we sang in worship yesterday. Read them. Let them soak in. Let the Spirit of God remind you that you are His. you are bought with a price. Forever His. Let that truth transform the way you live, the way you think, the way you believe.
Live with 'great expectations' of a great, all-powerful God.
Verse
It doesn’t matter what You’ve done;
It doesn't matter where you're coming from
Doesn’t matter where you’ve been,
Hear me tell you I forgive
Chorus
You’re not guilty anymore, You're not filthy anymore,
I love you, mercy is yours
You're not broken anymore, You're not captive anymore
I love you, mercy is yours
Verse
Can you believe that this is true, Grace abundant I am giving you
Cleansing deeper than you know, All was paid for long ago
There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Jesus
You are spotless You are holy
You are faultless You are whole
You are righteous You are blameless
You are pardoned You are mine
This is a glorious, just, righteous, and loving God who takes the guilt of His children upon Himself. How beautiful.
These are words to a song by Aaron Keyes that we sang in worship yesterday. Read them. Let them soak in. Let the Spirit of God remind you that you are His. you are bought with a price. Forever His. Let that truth transform the way you live, the way you think, the way you believe.
Live with 'great expectations' of a great, all-powerful God.
Verse
It doesn’t matter what You’ve done;
It doesn't matter where you're coming from
Doesn’t matter where you’ve been,
Hear me tell you I forgive
Chorus
You’re not guilty anymore, You're not filthy anymore,
I love you, mercy is yours
You're not broken anymore, You're not captive anymore
I love you, mercy is yours
Verse
Can you believe that this is true, Grace abundant I am giving you
Cleansing deeper than you know, All was paid for long ago
There is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Jesus
You are spotless You are holy
You are faultless You are whole
You are righteous You are blameless
You are pardoned You are mine
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sticky Statements
This past Sunday was wildly, insanely good...can I get an uh-huh? From the kick-off with Schizophrenic Love to the landing where we asked God to sift our hearts to help us to be satisfied in Him alone...God was at work. I love seeing Him move in big ways through His church.
We have a phrase that we use here in the office at church: Sticky Statement. A sticky statement is a phrase or sentence that captures a big idea in a way that makes a huge concept tangible and relative...example from the past: direction not intention determines destination.
So a Sticky Statement from this past Sunday that I've been ruminating on:
- The promise of sin is that we can find satisfaction apart from God
Doesn't this sentence say so much? Think about any sin you struggle with and boil it down to its root. It all comes down to trying to find satisfaction in something or someone other than God.
Imagine you are in a large field, and across that field is a lamppost. You stare intently at the lamppost and take a step. With eyes unwavering off of the goal, stride by stride, you are closer and closer to the destination. With laser-like focus you stare down the lamppost until the finish line. You have reached the lamppost.
Now imagine looking at the lamppost, then putting on a blindfold, spinning around 7 times and then setting out to find the lamppost. Pretty hard to do! Wouldn't it be easier just to keep your eyes on the goal and keep walking toward it?
But don't we do this with faith...we take our eyes off of Christ and pursue whatever our hearts desire, and only when we come up empty (again!) do we run back. What if we never took our eyes off the prize? What if we said, I will not be satisfied by anyone or anything except the living water of Jesus Christ. What if we didn't settle for anything less than the abundance of life that Jesus promised?
What if we really believed that we are really loved by God the way that He says He loves us? This week's memory verse is Romans 5:8...For God demonstrates His love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He alone will satisfy us. So why are we so prone to be content with anything less than Himself?
Aren't you glad God doesn't love like we do? Our love wavers. His love never fails. Our love is conditional. His love never ends. When we have this perspective how could we ever want anything less than what He offers?
Let's pray this week to be forever changed by the love of God...and to turn it around and give that love away to a world that needs to know the love of Jesus.
This past Sunday was wildly, insanely good...can I get an uh-huh? From the kick-off with Schizophrenic Love to the landing where we asked God to sift our hearts to help us to be satisfied in Him alone...God was at work. I love seeing Him move in big ways through His church.
We have a phrase that we use here in the office at church: Sticky Statement. A sticky statement is a phrase or sentence that captures a big idea in a way that makes a huge concept tangible and relative...example from the past: direction not intention determines destination.
So a Sticky Statement from this past Sunday that I've been ruminating on:
- The promise of sin is that we can find satisfaction apart from God
Doesn't this sentence say so much? Think about any sin you struggle with and boil it down to its root. It all comes down to trying to find satisfaction in something or someone other than God.
Imagine you are in a large field, and across that field is a lamppost. You stare intently at the lamppost and take a step. With eyes unwavering off of the goal, stride by stride, you are closer and closer to the destination. With laser-like focus you stare down the lamppost until the finish line. You have reached the lamppost.
Now imagine looking at the lamppost, then putting on a blindfold, spinning around 7 times and then setting out to find the lamppost. Pretty hard to do! Wouldn't it be easier just to keep your eyes on the goal and keep walking toward it?
But don't we do this with faith...we take our eyes off of Christ and pursue whatever our hearts desire, and only when we come up empty (again!) do we run back. What if we never took our eyes off the prize? What if we said, I will not be satisfied by anyone or anything except the living water of Jesus Christ. What if we didn't settle for anything less than the abundance of life that Jesus promised?
What if we really believed that we are really loved by God the way that He says He loves us? This week's memory verse is Romans 5:8...For God demonstrates His love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He alone will satisfy us. So why are we so prone to be content with anything less than Himself?
Aren't you glad God doesn't love like we do? Our love wavers. His love never fails. Our love is conditional. His love never ends. When we have this perspective how could we ever want anything less than what He offers?
Let's pray this week to be forever changed by the love of God...and to turn it around and give that love away to a world that needs to know the love of Jesus.
Monday, February 08, 2010
We're back...after a long hiatus...the EBC blog is back!
The past few months have been...well...they have been a journey here at EBC. As with every journey that God leads there are times of incredible joy and wonder as we simply marvel at how God works. There are hard days and times when we sometimes wonder exactly what God is up to. But at the end of the day, it has been utterly amazing to be a part of the movement of God in and through EBC.
Yesterday was just another example of how God moves and works. The atmosphere in worship yesterday was...well, it was just heavenly. Dealing with the subject of pride, as we talked about, planned, and prepared worship for yesterday, we just kept landing at this conclusion: The greatest cure for human pride is to marvel at the greatness of God. So that is what we did.
You know what squashes my pride?
- Knowing the severity of my sinful state required the death of Christ
- Knowing that I didn't wake up this morning and choose to have breath...it was given to me by a gracious and good God
- When I look up at the stars (like last night's beautiful sky) and think...the best I can do is light a match and start a fire...God you light the stars and know them all by name...You spin planets in motion
- Knowing that I am not in control of things...God is
I can keep going...but it all goes back to the verse we landed on:
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you o man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Can that just be our prayer this week? Can we seek to know Him more? Can we seek to honor Him by walking humbly? Can we practice faith as not just a noun, but a verb.
Let's put Micah 6:8 into action and watch God at work.
The past few months have been...well...they have been a journey here at EBC. As with every journey that God leads there are times of incredible joy and wonder as we simply marvel at how God works. There are hard days and times when we sometimes wonder exactly what God is up to. But at the end of the day, it has been utterly amazing to be a part of the movement of God in and through EBC.
Yesterday was just another example of how God moves and works. The atmosphere in worship yesterday was...well, it was just heavenly. Dealing with the subject of pride, as we talked about, planned, and prepared worship for yesterday, we just kept landing at this conclusion: The greatest cure for human pride is to marvel at the greatness of God. So that is what we did.
You know what squashes my pride?
- Knowing the severity of my sinful state required the death of Christ
- Knowing that I didn't wake up this morning and choose to have breath...it was given to me by a gracious and good God
- When I look up at the stars (like last night's beautiful sky) and think...the best I can do is light a match and start a fire...God you light the stars and know them all by name...You spin planets in motion
- Knowing that I am not in control of things...God is
I can keep going...but it all goes back to the verse we landed on:
Micah 6:8 - He has shown you o man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Your God.
Can that just be our prayer this week? Can we seek to know Him more? Can we seek to honor Him by walking humbly? Can we practice faith as not just a noun, but a verb.
Let's put Micah 6:8 into action and watch God at work.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday was amazing..... Two massive chapters were written into the epic work of God in and through the life of emmanuel.
Justin & Christy are joining with the emmanuel family in our consuming desire of making Christ famous! Justin will lead the charge in the area of worship and global mission. I love their family.... I love God's timing... I love that Justin loves the grandeur of God. Sunday was good!
Chapter Two.... We dedicated a place. We dedicated 4 years of dreams and work. We dedicated space on our campus so that people can discover the wonder and awe of our God. It was so good to honor the 4 legendary men (Jerry, Ryan, Kevin, Dan), who have given thousands of hours toward the building of our preschool area; student room; and the amazing relational space. It was a good day!
God is writing a fresh story at emmanuel. He loves His church. I am praying that we will continue to know Him; trust Him; treasure Him and shine Him. Justin's challenge was right on. I simply cannot shine Him, if I don't know Him!
Enjoy this week. Family Production on Sunday!!
By Grace..... For Glory,
Mark
Justin & Christy are joining with the emmanuel family in our consuming desire of making Christ famous! Justin will lead the charge in the area of worship and global mission. I love their family.... I love God's timing... I love that Justin loves the grandeur of God. Sunday was good!
Chapter Two.... We dedicated a place. We dedicated 4 years of dreams and work. We dedicated space on our campus so that people can discover the wonder and awe of our God. It was so good to honor the 4 legendary men (Jerry, Ryan, Kevin, Dan), who have given thousands of hours toward the building of our preschool area; student room; and the amazing relational space. It was a good day!
God is writing a fresh story at emmanuel. He loves His church. I am praying that we will continue to know Him; trust Him; treasure Him and shine Him. Justin's challenge was right on. I simply cannot shine Him, if I don't know Him!
Enjoy this week. Family Production on Sunday!!
By Grace..... For Glory,
Mark
Monday, August 17, 2009
Closed out the 'Flipt' series in Isaiah 6 yesterday. Sunday was amazing. Two thoughts have been parked in my conversation with God over the last 24 hours. Isaiah says, "I saw the Lord seated on his throne....." When I see God & He is on the throne, then no rival thrones survive in my life. His throne is the only throne. He is the only One on the throne. I have had good and challenging conversations with God about that truth. I want to 'see the Lord and to see Him exalted on His throne in my life.'
The second thing that challenged me was the beauty of God putting me back together in His glorious rescue mission. His cross... His blood... His wholeness is given to me by His grace. That is radical. As I was talking yesterday, it struck me that many followers of Christ like the 'rescue' and salvation in Christ, but we want to approach it without the other characteristics of an encounter with God. To experience His rescue, I must be marked by Him... stunned by Him.... ruined/undone/ shattered by Him.... THEN, I am prepared for His rescue. Then, I am prepared to be purposed by Him! I want to be ruined for nothing but Christ. He satisfies.
This journey of faith is radical and it launches in a self-crucifixion and a God-resurrection of my life. (Gal 2.20) I cannot imagine anything more lively than testifying of God's ridiculous grace. (Acts 20.24) May we lose ourselves in Him and in Him find our real self. Yeah.
By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark
Thursday, August 06, 2009
My capacity to live a flipt life can be summarized in a few words by Paul found in Philippians 3...
But, whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..... I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings..... I press on toward that prize; (the prize of knowing Christ by experience and with passion)
I want to know Christ.
Mark
But, whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..... I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings..... I press on toward that prize; (the prize of knowing Christ by experience and with passion)
I want to know Christ.
Mark
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
5 Things that are challenging me:
- I suffer from attention deficit disorder far too often! I pay attention to the wrong things; I don't pause before giving attention; I am not attentive to the things that I really want to be attentive toward. I want to be attentive to Christ....
- Jesus challenges me... When he speaks to me (found in Matt 6.22 - 23), he challenges me to give my attention to Him. When that happens my life will be filled with light. I want to leave no doubt of my love for Him. I want to seek Him... to know Him... to be known by Him.... and to have His light to be glaringly clear in me.
- My kids challenge me. I really can't fake this whole Christian deal... I simply cannot be a 'preacher guy' to my kids. They are really expecting me to love God alot. They need for me to be authentic. They love Him. My kids pursuit of Christ amazes me. They stun me with their astute thoughts about Christ and His Kingdom. Their are both simple and profound. The depth of thought leaves me longing to think well myself and that I might be a clear expression of Christ before them. Their love of Christ compels me. I like that alot.
- Not 'getting' things that happen on this planet challenges me. I miss Carrie. I don't understand Chuck's stroke.... Why is Andrea's kidney transplant rejecting (for heaven's sake, her husband donated it!)? I think that I will be challenged by things that don't make sense on earth as long as I live here. In the midst of dealing with friends who are hurting, I realize a few things.... God is good. I am not in heaven yet, so things that I don't get will happen. They remind me that I am not in heaven yet. And, as Chuck so aptly taught our kids, God has this beautiful way of taking things that are really bad and turning them into things that are really good for His glory (Kind of a kid version of Romans 8.28). I trust God. I don't always understand, but I trust His grace and goodness.
- My mom and dad are celebrating 50 years of marriage in a few weeks. You know, I am challenged by them. They love each other..... they love God.... they have made a massive Kingdom impact together..... and they constantly sharpen one another. Sus and I are 18 years into this marriage joy and I want to celebrate 50 years with her and I want to do that for God's great glory. I love my mom and dad and I am so so so grateful that they challenge me to live out this marriage covenant.
Life is challenging. That is not so bad. It is painful at times. But, challenge is good. I want to be challenged and I never want to stop growing and to stop becoming who God has for me. He wants the 'best me' and that is a process of transforming 'me' into the image of Christ. (Learning how to apply that previous sentence in my small group).
Peace.
Mark
- I suffer from attention deficit disorder far too often! I pay attention to the wrong things; I don't pause before giving attention; I am not attentive to the things that I really want to be attentive toward. I want to be attentive to Christ....
- Jesus challenges me... When he speaks to me (found in Matt 6.22 - 23), he challenges me to give my attention to Him. When that happens my life will be filled with light. I want to leave no doubt of my love for Him. I want to seek Him... to know Him... to be known by Him.... and to have His light to be glaringly clear in me.
- My kids challenge me. I really can't fake this whole Christian deal... I simply cannot be a 'preacher guy' to my kids. They are really expecting me to love God alot. They need for me to be authentic. They love Him. My kids pursuit of Christ amazes me. They stun me with their astute thoughts about Christ and His Kingdom. Their are both simple and profound. The depth of thought leaves me longing to think well myself and that I might be a clear expression of Christ before them. Their love of Christ compels me. I like that alot.
- Not 'getting' things that happen on this planet challenges me. I miss Carrie. I don't understand Chuck's stroke.... Why is Andrea's kidney transplant rejecting (for heaven's sake, her husband donated it!)? I think that I will be challenged by things that don't make sense on earth as long as I live here. In the midst of dealing with friends who are hurting, I realize a few things.... God is good. I am not in heaven yet, so things that I don't get will happen. They remind me that I am not in heaven yet. And, as Chuck so aptly taught our kids, God has this beautiful way of taking things that are really bad and turning them into things that are really good for His glory (Kind of a kid version of Romans 8.28). I trust God. I don't always understand, but I trust His grace and goodness.
- My mom and dad are celebrating 50 years of marriage in a few weeks. You know, I am challenged by them. They love each other..... they love God.... they have made a massive Kingdom impact together..... and they constantly sharpen one another. Sus and I are 18 years into this marriage joy and I want to celebrate 50 years with her and I want to do that for God's great glory. I love my mom and dad and I am so so so grateful that they challenge me to live out this marriage covenant.
Life is challenging. That is not so bad. It is painful at times. But, challenge is good. I want to be challenged and I never want to stop growing and to stop becoming who God has for me. He wants the 'best me' and that is a process of transforming 'me' into the image of Christ. (Learning how to apply that previous sentence in my small group).
Peace.
Mark
Sunday, June 14, 2009
40 Days
- 40 Days to seek the face of G0d
- 40 Days of fasting as God prompts
(food/ sleep/ a meal/ TV/ computer/ ... yeah, anything that might free you to pray and to seek God's face)
- 40 Day to read the book of Colossians... Read the letter once a day for 40 Days
- 40 Days to pray!
- 40 Days to unite as a church!
- A great starting point might simply be to read Colossians 4.12 and to ask God how He might ask you to 'wrestle' in prayer for Emmanuel..... for the glory of God.
What could happen if we pray? Devote yourself to prayer!! (Col 4.2)
Week Six 7.20.09 - 7.24.09
- 40 Days is moving toward closure.... We have experienced 40 Days of seeking God.... 40 Days of feasting on His Word... 40 Days of a Flipt life and 40 Days of God choosing, by His grace, to use Emmanuel to flip lives.
- During this 40 Days, we have shared in a journey to camp with our students; two missional opportunities to Daytona and PSJ; Vacation Bible School; the launch of summer ministries that are truly changing the face of marriages; parenting; and our own personal journey in Christ.
- During this 40 Days, we have not solely asked God to bless the stuff that we are doing, but we have asked Him for more of Him... more of His truth... more of His life....His grace and goodness and faithfulness. He is good.
- God has revealed Himself. He has revealed Himself personally and He continues to unveil His flipt plan for our lives, both individually and as a church.
- As God leads us toward the end of a 40 Day journey, we have the privilege of praying for kids who will head to Flipt Camp... over 90 kids and leaders (2 - 5th grade), will be on venture to cam next week. Invite God to be Himself and to do, in their lives, audacious things. Ask our God to draw them toward Himself and His purposes and His ways.
- In Him (Christ), we live, move, and have our being.....
Week Five 7.13.09 7.19.09
- The Word is Alive. Life, based upon truth and conviction, is not easily swayed. I am asking God to build our lives and the life of emmanuel on the core conviction of His truth and His way. I am praying that the 'Word of Christ finds deep dwelling among us' and that we challenge one another and encourage one another and press one another more deeply in Him. May the Word of Christ dwell richly among you and among us this week.
- A team ventures to Daytona this week. They will prepare a beautiful wing to minister to children, THEN a second team will actually love the kids that God sends in a VBS. What an incredible week and what an opportunity God has given us.
- How are you 'fasting'? How are you making space for God to be Himself to you? How is He inviting you to know more of Him? To trust Him? To Love Him? To Be in Him? Seek first the Kingdom of God......
Week Four 7.06.09 – 7.12.09
- Park and think about Colossians 1.24 – 29… God is inviting you to treasure Him. He is inviting you to treasure His goodness and His grace and His life in you. He is inviting you to love Him and through that love, to love those around you. Verses 28 – 29 will compel you to fast. God is challenging us to present those in our sphere of influence as perfectly mature in Him. We must deeply love Him and allow that love to pour out and to disciple those around us. What a magnanimous joy. What a challenging privilege.
- How is God asking you to pour Him onto those around you?
- This week, our fellowship will be on adventure to Port St Joe. We will lead a family impacting week. We will teach children of the boundless love of God. Pray for our family that will be on venture.
- Pray… Seek.. Fast… Expect… Enjoy!
Week Three 6.29.09 - 7.05.09
- This is a week to celebrate freedom. It was for freedom that Christ has set us free! Colossians 1.13 – 14 are amazing verses of freedom. Let freedom in Christ and from Christ and for Christ ring in your life!
- This week, our family of faith launched Fantastic World (Kids); Primal (Students); Flipt Summer Studies (Adults)… it promises to be an amazing summer for our families. Fast and pray for God to move in Spirit and in Power in and through the life of our fellowship.
- What will happen when a church prays?
- We will discover more and more of the goodness of God
- We will see our students return from camp with their lives flipped completely
- We will experiences hundreds of kids at VBS (493 to be exact); dozens rescued into the story of God; and a thousand dollars or more given to provide VBS for another church (Daytona)
- We will share story after story after story of the beauty and wonder of Christ!
Week Two 6.22.09 - 6.28.09
- a beautiful week ahead. VBS launched last night and it remains one of my favorite weeks of the year! Pray for God to DEEPLY impact the lives of many families....
- I love the theme..."It all comes back to Jesus"... After reading the Letter to Colossians daily, stop and think about Colossians 1.15 - 20... Christ supreme. Christ Beautiful. Christ amazing. Pray that Christ will not only be the head of this church, but that He will guide us into every thing that He has for us and that we will move with Him.
- I love that thought from yesterday. Worship is life. Everything. May your life be an ongoing, never-ending, amazed and beautiful act of worship! May our worship of God leave this city and the nations glad and rejoicing in the goodness of the One who overwhelms us.
- Pray... Fast...Seek... Expect
Week One 6.15.09 - 6.21.09
- An amazing week ahead..... Colossians 4.12 could be an amazing verse to pray. Invite God to teach you to pray and to be a person who stands in the gap for this church.
- Students are at camp.... If you would like a list to pray over, hit comment below and leave your e mail addy. Pray for the 90 students/ leaders at SLC!
- Boomerang Express is gearing up next week.... Ask God to pour out His life into the lives of our kids and workers in the days to come.
- As you pray this week, pause and consider the wonder of Colossians 1.15 - 17. All things are held together in Christ... He is supreme... He is enough... Is your life given 'for' Him?
What excites you about 'wrestling' in prayer with the entire emmanuel family? Hit comment and share....
Pray... Expect....Hope....Be
- 40 Days to seek the face of G0d
- 40 Days of fasting as God prompts
(food/ sleep/ a meal/ TV/ computer/ ... yeah, anything that might free you to pray and to seek God's face)
- 40 Day to read the book of Colossians... Read the letter once a day for 40 Days
- 40 Days to pray!
- 40 Days to unite as a church!
- A great starting point might simply be to read Colossians 4.12 and to ask God how He might ask you to 'wrestle' in prayer for Emmanuel..... for the glory of God.
What could happen if we pray? Devote yourself to prayer!! (Col 4.2)
Week Six 7.20.09 - 7.24.09
- 40 Days is moving toward closure.... We have experienced 40 Days of seeking God.... 40 Days of feasting on His Word... 40 Days of a Flipt life and 40 Days of God choosing, by His grace, to use Emmanuel to flip lives.
- During this 40 Days, we have shared in a journey to camp with our students; two missional opportunities to Daytona and PSJ; Vacation Bible School; the launch of summer ministries that are truly changing the face of marriages; parenting; and our own personal journey in Christ.
- During this 40 Days, we have not solely asked God to bless the stuff that we are doing, but we have asked Him for more of Him... more of His truth... more of His life....His grace and goodness and faithfulness. He is good.
- God has revealed Himself. He has revealed Himself personally and He continues to unveil His flipt plan for our lives, both individually and as a church.
- As God leads us toward the end of a 40 Day journey, we have the privilege of praying for kids who will head to Flipt Camp... over 90 kids and leaders (2 - 5th grade), will be on venture to cam next week. Invite God to be Himself and to do, in their lives, audacious things. Ask our God to draw them toward Himself and His purposes and His ways.
- In Him (Christ), we live, move, and have our being.....
Week Five 7.13.09 7.19.09
- The Word is Alive. Life, based upon truth and conviction, is not easily swayed. I am asking God to build our lives and the life of emmanuel on the core conviction of His truth and His way. I am praying that the 'Word of Christ finds deep dwelling among us' and that we challenge one another and encourage one another and press one another more deeply in Him. May the Word of Christ dwell richly among you and among us this week.
- A team ventures to Daytona this week. They will prepare a beautiful wing to minister to children, THEN a second team will actually love the kids that God sends in a VBS. What an incredible week and what an opportunity God has given us.
- How are you 'fasting'? How are you making space for God to be Himself to you? How is He inviting you to know more of Him? To trust Him? To Love Him? To Be in Him? Seek first the Kingdom of God......
Week Four 7.06.09 – 7.12.09
- Park and think about Colossians 1.24 – 29… God is inviting you to treasure Him. He is inviting you to treasure His goodness and His grace and His life in you. He is inviting you to love Him and through that love, to love those around you. Verses 28 – 29 will compel you to fast. God is challenging us to present those in our sphere of influence as perfectly mature in Him. We must deeply love Him and allow that love to pour out and to disciple those around us. What a magnanimous joy. What a challenging privilege.
- How is God asking you to pour Him onto those around you?
- This week, our fellowship will be on adventure to Port St Joe. We will lead a family impacting week. We will teach children of the boundless love of God. Pray for our family that will be on venture.
- Pray… Seek.. Fast… Expect… Enjoy!
Week Three 6.29.09 - 7.05.09
- This is a week to celebrate freedom. It was for freedom that Christ has set us free! Colossians 1.13 – 14 are amazing verses of freedom. Let freedom in Christ and from Christ and for Christ ring in your life!
- This week, our family of faith launched Fantastic World (Kids); Primal (Students); Flipt Summer Studies (Adults)… it promises to be an amazing summer for our families. Fast and pray for God to move in Spirit and in Power in and through the life of our fellowship.
- What will happen when a church prays?
- We will discover more and more of the goodness of God
- We will see our students return from camp with their lives flipped completely
- We will experiences hundreds of kids at VBS (493 to be exact); dozens rescued into the story of God; and a thousand dollars or more given to provide VBS for another church (Daytona)
- We will share story after story after story of the beauty and wonder of Christ!
Week Two 6.22.09 - 6.28.09
- a beautiful week ahead. VBS launched last night and it remains one of my favorite weeks of the year! Pray for God to DEEPLY impact the lives of many families....
- I love the theme..."It all comes back to Jesus"... After reading the Letter to Colossians daily, stop and think about Colossians 1.15 - 20... Christ supreme. Christ Beautiful. Christ amazing. Pray that Christ will not only be the head of this church, but that He will guide us into every thing that He has for us and that we will move with Him.
- I love that thought from yesterday. Worship is life. Everything. May your life be an ongoing, never-ending, amazed and beautiful act of worship! May our worship of God leave this city and the nations glad and rejoicing in the goodness of the One who overwhelms us.
- Pray... Fast...Seek... Expect
Week One 6.15.09 - 6.21.09
- An amazing week ahead..... Colossians 4.12 could be an amazing verse to pray. Invite God to teach you to pray and to be a person who stands in the gap for this church.
- Students are at camp.... If you would like a list to pray over, hit comment below and leave your e mail addy. Pray for the 90 students/ leaders at SLC!
- Boomerang Express is gearing up next week.... Ask God to pour out His life into the lives of our kids and workers in the days to come.
- As you pray this week, pause and consider the wonder of Colossians 1.15 - 17. All things are held together in Christ... He is supreme... He is enough... Is your life given 'for' Him?
What excites you about 'wrestling' in prayer with the entire emmanuel family? Hit comment and share....
Pray... Expect....Hope....Be
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
A friend, this week, shared a great summary to the verse Colossians 4.12. She said, 'that verse has messed me up.' With the joy of a 'mess us up' verse, we have discovered a solid plural name for Epaphras. Ready?!?! Here you go.... Epaphrites. Yep, doesn't really ring my joy bell either, but what an incredible thing to aspire toward.
Can you imagine a whole slew of people who wrestled with God on behalf of each other? I mean, it would be spiritually remarkable for a church... a movement of people who are giving great chase to God, to pray and to wrestle and to ask God to grow us into maturity and that we would be fully assured and that we will stand firm in and for the glory of God. Epaphras wrestled with God for his friends at the Church at Colosse.
Honestly, my imagination runs wild as I think about the people in that church. They kept having amazing things happen among them... you know, people being rescued into the story of God; families putting the pieces back together; people selling their stuff so that other people could have stuff; parents committing to train their kids in what it might look like to follow Christ. Things like that and so much more was happening and the people of the church were just in awe of God. They had to be asking, 'how does this stuff keep happening? How does all of this God-stuff keep springing up around us???' Yeah, Epaphras wrestled with God on behalf of the church, that they would be mature and assured and that they would stand firm in the Lord.
So, I'm hoping that our church might just be made up of a bunch of Epaphrites. That could be wildly fun..... God-sized... people in Crestview might just look at us and like what they see. So, who are you praying for? Who is praying for you? When is the last time that you wrestled with God in behalf of another? Let's go for it!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
Can you imagine a whole slew of people who wrestled with God on behalf of each other? I mean, it would be spiritually remarkable for a church... a movement of people who are giving great chase to God, to pray and to wrestle and to ask God to grow us into maturity and that we would be fully assured and that we will stand firm in and for the glory of God. Epaphras wrestled with God for his friends at the Church at Colosse.
Honestly, my imagination runs wild as I think about the people in that church. They kept having amazing things happen among them... you know, people being rescued into the story of God; families putting the pieces back together; people selling their stuff so that other people could have stuff; parents committing to train their kids in what it might look like to follow Christ. Things like that and so much more was happening and the people of the church were just in awe of God. They had to be asking, 'how does this stuff keep happening? How does all of this God-stuff keep springing up around us???' Yeah, Epaphras wrestled with God on behalf of the church, that they would be mature and assured and that they would stand firm in the Lord.
So, I'm hoping that our church might just be made up of a bunch of Epaphrites. That could be wildly fun..... God-sized... people in Crestview might just look at us and like what they see. So, who are you praying for? Who is praying for you? When is the last time that you wrestled with God in behalf of another? Let's go for it!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
Monday, June 01, 2009
Incredible day around Emmanuel yesterday. We did the Nole chop and chant, which made a portion of the room happy and left the rest of us a bit nauseated. But, we also talked about what it might look like to live for the name of God. Colossians 3.17 was our launching pad for thought and it was fresh to consider what it might mean for us to truly live out and flesh out the name or the essence of God Himself in our everyday encounters.
Honestly, I was really challenged by I Samuel 3.19.... I mean, what a verse to latch onto and what a risky verse to pray for yourself. To actually say to God, I don't want a single action or deed or word that you have for me to fall to the ground. Honestly, if we were to ask God to so posture our lives so that there was not a single action... not one task that He has for us... not a Word that He is speaking to us that might fall to the ground, we could live in the midst of a revolution of the Spirit and the Presence of God. I have no doubt that God would enjoy dwelling in an environment like that and He would give us His 'face'... His presence.. His glory. I want to live for the glory of God and I really want to share that zeal for His glory with a whole bunch of people!
Speaking of living for the glory, we collected a ton of money yesterday in order to prepare a nursery area and to prep a kids area in Daytona Beach. Via a single plea, we gave over $1100 AND a crib and we also have more than a dozen who will pile in and head toward Daytona in July. I think that we were the church yesterday.... we met and worshiped and talked about hundreds of lives that will be impacted in Crestview through this summer AND we met a critical need in another part of the world with immediacy. Amazing! I love sharing life in this environment and watching God move among us. Details are coming about the trip in July. Tentative dates are to leave on Friday July 17. Work the evening of the 17th; Saturday work; afternoon of the 18th; wrap up work on the 19th (Monday) and head back to the 'View. Changing the world.... Gotta love it.
Enjoy a remarkable week and give great chase toward the 'face of God'. Play for Glory.
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
a quote by Chan has been messing with me this week. I am asking God what a group that enjoys Christ dwelling among them might look like. (Col 3.16) Chan writes (and I paraphrase), it's not that America is rejecting Jesus Christ, necessarily. Perhaps its just that they haven't seen Him. Instead, they have simply seen a very poor knock-off version of what a Christ-follower might be. We live in a time when the term "Christian" has been so diluted that millions of immoral but nice people genuinely consider themselves "good Christians." We have reduced the idea of a good Christian to someone who believes in Jesus, loves his or her family, and attends church regularly.
I am so begging God that people see a radical, impassioned, zealously in love with Jesus bunch of people who love God deeply..... love those around them wildly.... and, as Acts 2 reads in the message, 'people in general will like what they see' in the body of Christ.
Chan's thoughts are wrecking me. I love the church. May the church be consumed by the goodness of Christ and may His beauty, wonder, and grace dwell among us. May we never shrink back from all-encompassing call of the gospel.
By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark
I am so begging God that people see a radical, impassioned, zealously in love with Jesus bunch of people who love God deeply..... love those around them wildly.... and, as Acts 2 reads in the message, 'people in general will like what they see' in the body of Christ.
Chan's thoughts are wrecking me. I love the church. May the church be consumed by the goodness of Christ and may His beauty, wonder, and grace dwell among us. May we never shrink back from all-encompassing call of the gospel.
By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark
Monday, May 18, 2009
I learn so much from my kids. My kids amaze me. A simple sentence that they brought home from worship a few years ago has left me challenged. Help me not to be okay simply because everything is okay with me. That seems to flow from the heart of God. Everything was okay within the trinity (God the Father, Son, and Spirit), but everything was not okay with us. His relentless love left him 'not okay' and compelled action from the heart of God. May we be 'not okay' and may our 'not okay' leave me and leave us under compulsion......
Mark
Mark
Monday, May 11, 2009
I love the Word. The Bible is alive and it gives great chase to me. God uses the Word to challenge me and to compel me and to lead me and to change my view of life. I love reading a section of Scripture and having the Holy Spirit flower a truth that I have seen hundreds of times, yet never actually seen.
I was reading Acts 2.42 and the Scripture reads that 'they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to breaking bread, prayer and fellowship.....' I have read Acts 2.42 - 47 so many times that I can't count. I tend to run toward the amazing things that God was doing among them. You know, the whole 3000 people saved or the selling of stuff or the daily gatherings in order to celebrate Christ or the awe that they seemed to generate by those around them or the constant remembrance of Jesus Christ via communion.... There was so much that was God-sized and ridiculous among them. So, how did this happen? Really, how, for heaven's sake, did all of this amazing stuff happening among them?
The simple answer that I discovered was profound. "They devoted themselves...." "They" were the 3000 new believers, who devoted themselves to one another.... to a passion for the Word... to a longing to serve those around them. They didn't ask someone else to feed them or to nurture them or to mature them. They were a wildly devoted group of Christ-followers. It seems that the Spirit of God in the life of the believer compelled them to be devoted. No excuses.... no weak pursuit... just a radical passion for God and an unimpeded devotion to know Him.
I would love for the people of Crestview to say, 'hey, that bunch of Christ-followers at Emmanuel are devoted... they are devoted to God in radical ways and they are devoted to each other.' God might just do amazing things among us that could be explained only by Him. That would be fresh!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
I was reading Acts 2.42 and the Scripture reads that 'they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to breaking bread, prayer and fellowship.....' I have read Acts 2.42 - 47 so many times that I can't count. I tend to run toward the amazing things that God was doing among them. You know, the whole 3000 people saved or the selling of stuff or the daily gatherings in order to celebrate Christ or the awe that they seemed to generate by those around them or the constant remembrance of Jesus Christ via communion.... There was so much that was God-sized and ridiculous among them. So, how did this happen? Really, how, for heaven's sake, did all of this amazing stuff happening among them?
The simple answer that I discovered was profound. "They devoted themselves...." "They" were the 3000 new believers, who devoted themselves to one another.... to a passion for the Word... to a longing to serve those around them. They didn't ask someone else to feed them or to nurture them or to mature them. They were a wildly devoted group of Christ-followers. It seems that the Spirit of God in the life of the believer compelled them to be devoted. No excuses.... no weak pursuit... just a radical passion for God and an unimpeded devotion to know Him.
I would love for the people of Crestview to say, 'hey, that bunch of Christ-followers at Emmanuel are devoted... they are devoted to God in radical ways and they are devoted to each other.' God might just do amazing things among us that could be explained only by Him. That would be fresh!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
Monday, May 04, 2009
It has been a week.....
- a week of experiencing the death and burial of a friend, who in his death became a national hero
- honestly, there were so many things that were done 'right' in the middle of a situation that was so wrong......
- the OCSO and their support for the Lopez family was remarkable!
- the honor poured out for Burt's life from people across this nation leaves me with a loss for words
- perhaps one of the most 'honoring' moments of my life was to turn left on 85 out of Central BC and to see the streets lined all the way through Crestview and into Niceville with people who bestowed honor and respect for the life (and death) of Burt Lopez. From salutes to hands over hearts to homemade signs to American Flags to beautiful children stopping their ballgame to stand beside the road... it was simply remarkable. As I turned left on 20 in Niceville, I was overwhelmed by the previous 16 miles driven and I was thanking God for what the family was experiencing in the bus behind me. At that moment, God allowed me an incredible glimpse of heaven. Can you possibly fathom the utter joy of walking into heaven?!?! Can you imagine the sheer joy of walking into millions upon millions who stand before the living Christ AND who will welcome us into this wildly glorious fest around the throne of the King. I can truly only imagine......
- this week, our family ministry team ventured to the ATL and they spent three days thinking about how to most deeply and most vibrantly impact families. The outflow of the three days will be felt for years to come! What an amazing time to consider the impact of the life of the church and the life of the family and the synergizing of the two. The potential is abounding.
- Yesterday, as we gathered to worship I was so looking forward to 'sanctuary'. I needed to sing.... to worship.... and to simply be with the body of Christ. One word, from Colossians 3.11, really leaves me challenged. "HERE".... as in, here in the middle of the body of Christ I will find hope and peace and unity and joy and diversity and a thousand other gifts given by God. Here, Christ is all and He is in all. I love to find myself 'here' in the middle of a community of Christ-seekers.
Christ is all. Here, Christ is in all. I am praying that it is evident that He lives among us!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
- a week of experiencing the death and burial of a friend, who in his death became a national hero
- honestly, there were so many things that were done 'right' in the middle of a situation that was so wrong......
- the OCSO and their support for the Lopez family was remarkable!
- the honor poured out for Burt's life from people across this nation leaves me with a loss for words
- perhaps one of the most 'honoring' moments of my life was to turn left on 85 out of Central BC and to see the streets lined all the way through Crestview and into Niceville with people who bestowed honor and respect for the life (and death) of Burt Lopez. From salutes to hands over hearts to homemade signs to American Flags to beautiful children stopping their ballgame to stand beside the road... it was simply remarkable. As I turned left on 20 in Niceville, I was overwhelmed by the previous 16 miles driven and I was thanking God for what the family was experiencing in the bus behind me. At that moment, God allowed me an incredible glimpse of heaven. Can you possibly fathom the utter joy of walking into heaven?!?! Can you imagine the sheer joy of walking into millions upon millions who stand before the living Christ AND who will welcome us into this wildly glorious fest around the throne of the King. I can truly only imagine......
- this week, our family ministry team ventured to the ATL and they spent three days thinking about how to most deeply and most vibrantly impact families. The outflow of the three days will be felt for years to come! What an amazing time to consider the impact of the life of the church and the life of the family and the synergizing of the two. The potential is abounding.
- Yesterday, as we gathered to worship I was so looking forward to 'sanctuary'. I needed to sing.... to worship.... and to simply be with the body of Christ. One word, from Colossians 3.11, really leaves me challenged. "HERE".... as in, here in the middle of the body of Christ I will find hope and peace and unity and joy and diversity and a thousand other gifts given by God. Here, Christ is all and He is in all. I love to find myself 'here' in the middle of a community of Christ-seekers.
Christ is all. Here, Christ is in all. I am praying that it is evident that He lives among us!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
One moment... one phone call.... things change and the earth tilts and life will not be the same. Two officers in our community gave their lives in a tragic manner, yet as heroes. One of those officers, Burt Lopez, was a friend and a neighbor and a part of Emmanuel and a buddy who watched our daughters 'perform' many a musical and dance. He was a great man.... greatness defined through His love for His wife and His family and His work and, ultimately, His God. The last couple of days have been surreal and they will continue to be as our neighborhood, his co-workers, our church, and His family wrestles with Burt not walking this planet with us. In a couple of days, we will lay Burt's body to rest. It will be an incredible celebration of a life well-lived. It will be a painful time to say 'goodbye' and to mourn. It will be a prolific time to thank God for God and to thank Him for immersing Burt and immersing us in Christ.
I have had a simple thought, as I have walked through the last couple of days. My life could change in a moment. As I listen to story after story about Burt, I hear of a man who loved his kids exceptionally well.... who loved his wife exceptionally well... who valued and cared deeply for his friends.... and who loved us (all of us in Ok. County) so well that he would lay down his life for us. I am thankful to call him a friend. Perhaps the legacy that I am realizing that Burt leaves me is the challenge to live well. It is to consistently do the small things every day in order that those consistent steps of love and respect accrue and accrue and that I will have lived a life that leaves behind a tremendous legacy in the most important things. I have this consuming desire to glory in and to glorify God in very real, express, and tangible ways on this day.
So, today I am asking God to give me exceptional love for those around me...... to give me a disdain for mediocrity..... to give my life as a sacrifice for others.... and to love God and to love those around me with a love that surpasses understanding. That will bring honor to Burt's life and to his death. That will bring honor to Jesus Christ. Glory to God.
Mark
I have had a simple thought, as I have walked through the last couple of days. My life could change in a moment. As I listen to story after story about Burt, I hear of a man who loved his kids exceptionally well.... who loved his wife exceptionally well... who valued and cared deeply for his friends.... and who loved us (all of us in Ok. County) so well that he would lay down his life for us. I am thankful to call him a friend. Perhaps the legacy that I am realizing that Burt leaves me is the challenge to live well. It is to consistently do the small things every day in order that those consistent steps of love and respect accrue and accrue and that I will have lived a life that leaves behind a tremendous legacy in the most important things. I have this consuming desire to glory in and to glorify God in very real, express, and tangible ways on this day.
So, today I am asking God to give me exceptional love for those around me...... to give me a disdain for mediocrity..... to give my life as a sacrifice for others.... and to love God and to love those around me with a love that surpasses understanding. That will bring honor to Burt's life and to his death. That will bring honor to Jesus Christ. Glory to God.
Mark
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Because I am made alive with Christ, I will....
Because I am chosen by God, I will.....
Because I am adopted by God, I will....
Because I am complete in Christ, I will.....
Because I am hidden in Christ in God, I will.....
Because I am seated in heaven, I will.....
Yeah, I could list and list and list and list and list and list the amazing truths of who we are in Christ.... who I am in Christ. Colossians 3 leaves me deeply challenged to 'set' my heart and my mind on who I am in Christ. I love the truth that to 'set' means to take possession of who I already am in Him and what is already mine. When I am possessed by Christ and His grace abounds to me, I actually think that it will change everything about my day... my thoughts... my relationships.... my passions.... I will be being transformed. God is so gracious. His grace is wildly sufficient. I love His grace. I love Christ. I love sharing this Christ journey together.
Enjoy this week.
By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark
Because I am chosen by God, I will.....
Because I am adopted by God, I will....
Because I am complete in Christ, I will.....
Because I am hidden in Christ in God, I will.....
Because I am seated in heaven, I will.....
Yeah, I could list and list and list and list and list and list the amazing truths of who we are in Christ.... who I am in Christ. Colossians 3 leaves me deeply challenged to 'set' my heart and my mind on who I am in Christ. I love the truth that to 'set' means to take possession of who I already am in Him and what is already mine. When I am possessed by Christ and His grace abounds to me, I actually think that it will change everything about my day... my thoughts... my relationships.... my passions.... I will be being transformed. God is so gracious. His grace is wildly sufficient. I love His grace. I love Christ. I love sharing this Christ journey together.
Enjoy this week.
By Grace.... For Glory,
Mark
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter was so amazing. Friday night, it was beautiful to watch families gather around the cross and to give pause to the amazing work of the cross of Christ. As I was talking with my kids about what we gain through the cross and preparing to share in communion, I listened to other families nail their writings of the joy found in the cross to the cross. The moment is indescribable and incredibly meaningful.
Easter Sunday was so beautiful. We sang songs... read Scripture... were reminded of who we are in Christ..... wore a suit and tie (NOT!)... and celebrated Christ alive. I love being a part of a fellowship that is authentic, thankful, and who revel in the grace of God. His grace is amazing.
Funny, but I woke up this morning and celebrated the resurrected Christ again today. I am thinking that I will do that again tomorrow. I am grateful that I will worship Him for eternity. Christ is life. I am alive because of Him! I share in that life with an amazing group of Christ-followers called the 'church'. That is good!
Happy Easter!!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
Easter Sunday was so beautiful. We sang songs... read Scripture... were reminded of who we are in Christ..... wore a suit and tie (NOT!)... and celebrated Christ alive. I love being a part of a fellowship that is authentic, thankful, and who revel in the grace of God. His grace is amazing.
Funny, but I woke up this morning and celebrated the resurrected Christ again today. I am thinking that I will do that again tomorrow. I am grateful that I will worship Him for eternity. Christ is life. I am alive because of Him! I share in that life with an amazing group of Christ-followers called the 'church'. That is good!
Happy Easter!!
By Grace... For Glory,
Mark
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