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Thursday, January 5, 2012
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Love, Love and Love Some More
Why are you here? This is a question most of us think we already know? I’m here to raise my kids, pay my bills, plan for the future and love God….Right? Let’s think about this a little more for a minute. Yes it is true that God wants me to do all the things I listed but is there more? Is that all God expects from me? In Matt 10:35-40 we read: 35 For I came to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 A person's enemies will be members of his own family. 37 "The one who loves his father or mother more than me isn't worthy of me, and the one who loves a son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. 38 The one who doesn't take up his cross and follow me isn't worthy of me. 39 The one who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life because of me will find it." 40 "The one who receives you receives me, and the one who receives me receives the one who sent me.
Christ makes it very clear that we are to love him and the father, God more than our own parents, children, career, house, car you name it he makes it clear that even our most personal relationships and possessions are second to him. This even tells us that this love will cause strife in our relationships.
Now back to my original question. What’s your reason for being here? Many of us including myself are content just achieving the basics each day, like working, taking care of my children’s extra activities, getting supper ready each night, cleaning my house and maybe..just maybe studying my Bible on occasion. Its true life is so busy and filled with stress, sometimes some drama and defiantly unexpected twist, turns and detours. At some point each of us has to make a decision. That decision could be to continue what seems at the time to be the easiest and most normal path. But what if we tried to change how we are looking at our lives? What if we still made sure we took care of what is important to each of us here on earth, but also made sure what we used 100% of the talents God gave us? What if our weekly journey to and from soccer practice or the grocery store included dropping off a plate of food for a shut-in or included picking up extra supplies for a charity we felt a strong passion for? What if we stepped up to lead a prayer before our children’s soccer, basketball or softball game started? What if we took it upon ourselves to start a collection of clothes, food, or money for a cause that we feel a true calling to help? What if by doing this you were presented opportunities to reach out to help others and possibly even share Christ with a complete stranger? What if that stranger saw Christ’s love through you? ……What if? In Matt 25:35-36 we read: 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Our lives are made up of happiness, hurt, decisions, regrets and opportunities. I pray you look for and embrace the opportunities that God has put in your life. We don’t have to be rich, educated or experienced. All God has asks us is to do is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and if that doesn’t seem to be working LOVE some more! Will it be easy? Is life easy? No but God and Christ never said it would be. What Christ did say was feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
Keep your eye's open for the next opportunity to come along. Chances are you already know someone or some cause that needs your one and only God given talent. Oh and don’t kid yourself we all have a talent. Mine might be different from yours but you and I still have a talent. Don’t waste it in thoughts of "I'll do it one of these days". USE IT NOW! Embrace it; God gave it to you and you only!
Peace
Mark
Christ makes it very clear that we are to love him and the father, God more than our own parents, children, career, house, car you name it he makes it clear that even our most personal relationships and possessions are second to him. This even tells us that this love will cause strife in our relationships.
Now back to my original question. What’s your reason for being here? Many of us including myself are content just achieving the basics each day, like working, taking care of my children’s extra activities, getting supper ready each night, cleaning my house and maybe..just maybe studying my Bible on occasion. Its true life is so busy and filled with stress, sometimes some drama and defiantly unexpected twist, turns and detours. At some point each of us has to make a decision. That decision could be to continue what seems at the time to be the easiest and most normal path. But what if we tried to change how we are looking at our lives? What if we still made sure we took care of what is important to each of us here on earth, but also made sure what we used 100% of the talents God gave us? What if our weekly journey to and from soccer practice or the grocery store included dropping off a plate of food for a shut-in or included picking up extra supplies for a charity we felt a strong passion for? What if we stepped up to lead a prayer before our children’s soccer, basketball or softball game started? What if we took it upon ourselves to start a collection of clothes, food, or money for a cause that we feel a true calling to help? What if by doing this you were presented opportunities to reach out to help others and possibly even share Christ with a complete stranger? What if that stranger saw Christ’s love through you? ……What if? In Matt 25:35-36 we read: 35 For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you welcomed me. 36 I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Our lives are made up of happiness, hurt, decisions, regrets and opportunities. I pray you look for and embrace the opportunities that God has put in your life. We don’t have to be rich, educated or experienced. All God has asks us is to do is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and if that doesn’t seem to be working LOVE some more! Will it be easy? Is life easy? No but God and Christ never said it would be. What Christ did say was feed my sheep. (John 21:17)
Keep your eye's open for the next opportunity to come along. Chances are you already know someone or some cause that needs your one and only God given talent. Oh and don’t kid yourself we all have a talent. Mine might be different from yours but you and I still have a talent. Don’t waste it in thoughts of "I'll do it one of these days". USE IT NOW! Embrace it; God gave it to you and you only!
Peace
Mark
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." I Cor 13 :13
What comes to your mind when you think of "LOVE"? Is it a look, a kiss, or maybe a feeling you have when things seem right. For each of use love can mean different things. Chances are we have all felt it in some way. It's almost a given that we have all received love in some shape form or fashion in our lives. Some more and some less than others. What you might see as love I might think only as a mere event that ac-cured. For all of us love is a state of mind in which each person receives what they might need at any given moment. My question for you today is with life's busy structure how do you show others love? I'm not necessarily talking about your family or spouse but the world in general? How do you show the world love? I have found that it really doesn't take much. Maybe a smile a friendly hand shack or even a word or encouragement is all it takes. On the other hand maybe it can take more time and maybe even money at times but ultimately love can be shown through simple actions. I have had many great examples of love in my life. Some have been great men and women of faith who showed their love with simple gestures like passing out candy to children and some have been examples of men and women who literally gave everything they had to show love. I believe God wants us to show love in any way we feel comfortable or moved by the spirit to do. Just how amazing would it be if all of us did that on a regular basis in a big or small way? I pray each of us finds a reason for showing love...unconditional love to as many people as possible today and every day. All you have to do is open your eyes and look around you. The opportunities are everywhere.
Have a great and blessed love filled day!
Peace
Mark
Have a great and blessed love filled day!
Peace
Mark
Friday, August 12, 2011
From Suffering to Glory
My question for each of you and myself today is do you believe in Heaven? Do you have hope? Do you believe that after the good times, bad times, and trials of this life our father in heaven and his son Christ Jesus has prepared for you a place to rest in the glory of God the father? I do... We are told by the apostle Paul in Romans to eagerly look forward with hope, knowing that we have to promise of this glory that awaits those in Christ. Is this a promise of an easy life without pain, suffering or trials? Not at all, in fact scripture tells us that when we give our lives to Christ we can even expect more trials to come upon us. We are even told again by Paul in Philippians 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Which is his way of saying I look forward to the trials that will come to me if they benefit Christ and bring me to him sooner with death. This is a strong statement some might even consider it suicidal in thought but it's not. When we have a passion like love for a spouse, child or a friend that passion takes us to the next step of unconditional love which also leads to the statement "I would give my life for you." Do you have that passion in your life? Would you give your life for your spouse, child or a friend? How about a total stranger? How about God and Christ? Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking anyone to put themselves in harms way just for the sake of death but I am saying LOVE each other as if life depended on it. I have included Romans 8:18-30 below where Paul tells us that our suffering and pain in Christs name is nothing compared to what God and Christ have prepared for us for eternity. I pray each of you takes comfort in his inspired words and that it helps each of us to strengthen our relationships and our personal relationship with God.
NKJV Romans 8:18-30
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us F25 with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Peace
Mark
NKJV Romans 8:18-30
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us F25 with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Peace
Mark
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
What a difference a weekend can make..
As I posted last week I went on a men's retreat to relax and unwind a little. It was exactly what I needed! The fellowship and the beauty that surrounded me was awesome! I have been dealing with the normal business stuff and raising my girls but also some personal decisions that I have had to come to terms with lately.
I know what Cindy wanted for me. She wanted me to live life and be happy and move on when the time was right. After much prayer, counseling and advice from many great friends I know now that it's time to start a new chapter. This weekend I was able to spend quality time for me and honestly it felt wonderful! It helped me realize that my need for a companion and helpmate is not selfish or self centered but what I my family and even my girls want for me, and most of all what God wants for me.
God has already set me on a path that amazes me! Just like everything else that has happened in my life I can say that God's hand is at work in my life giving me directing, focus and opportunity. I have stated many times in the past how much I believe that if we just open our eyes we all can see God at work in our lives. From bills being paid to careers to relationships. Sometimes that path might not seem clear and sometimes it's very clear but still ends with disappointment and heartbreak but in the end can we see God at work. I think even when the outcome is not what we hoped for or even imagined we can still see God's will revealed if our eyes are opened and we allow our hearts to open. I know I have much love to share with some special person that God will put in my life. For that matter they might already be in my life. God has a way of doing that. That is,
making the unexpected reality.
I pray each of you open your heart to what possibilities God might have in store for you. From experience I can say that change can be hard but I have also learned that if we trust God and lean on him through change he will see us through.
Peace
Mark
I know what Cindy wanted for me. She wanted me to live life and be happy and move on when the time was right. After much prayer, counseling and advice from many great friends I know now that it's time to start a new chapter. This weekend I was able to spend quality time for me and honestly it felt wonderful! It helped me realize that my need for a companion and helpmate is not selfish or self centered but what I my family and even my girls want for me, and most of all what God wants for me.
God has already set me on a path that amazes me! Just like everything else that has happened in my life I can say that God's hand is at work in my life giving me directing, focus and opportunity. I have stated many times in the past how much I believe that if we just open our eyes we all can see God at work in our lives. From bills being paid to careers to relationships. Sometimes that path might not seem clear and sometimes it's very clear but still ends with disappointment and heartbreak but in the end can we see God at work. I think even when the outcome is not what we hoped for or even imagined we can still see God's will revealed if our eyes are opened and we allow our hearts to open. I know I have much love to share with some special person that God will put in my life. For that matter they might already be in my life. God has a way of doing that. That is,
making the unexpected reality.
I pray each of you open your heart to what possibilities God might have in store for you. From experience I can say that change can be hard but I have also learned that if we trust God and lean on him through change he will see us through.
Peace
Mark
Friday, August 5, 2011
What does it take for you to relax?
So later tonight I'm leaving for a church Mens Retreat in beautiful Jamestown TN. I am really looking forward to this trip even though I can only stay one night. I have been to several retreats and the view from the lodge we stay at is incredible! I can't wait to see tomorrows sunrise from the lodge. It truly is a God moment for me every time I see it! I have been trying all day to get myself mentally ready to relax and try to take it all in. I don't know about you but sometimes it takes work to relax. It takes a commitment to myself to let the worries and world stuff go and just relax and enjoy the moment. I pray each of you takes the time to do the same in your life. Each of us deserves time for ourselves which in turn makes us better, parents, caregivers and friends.
Have a great weekend!
Mark
Have a great weekend!
Mark
Thursday, August 4, 2011
What motivates you?
I think this can be a different answer for each one of us. What keeps me going might be similar to what keeps you going but it probably involves many different motivations, references or people for each of us. I know that when I was younger my motivating factors were very very different than they are today. Not that they weren't as important back then but they have definitely changed through the years. Back then my life was build around my self image and what others thought about me. Not that that doesn't matter now but we all hopefully come to a place in our lives where we accept who we are and use the talents God gave us in a positive way realizing that my talents are not judged based on your talents but based on how I use my talents. Where I am now in my life, spiritual maturity and responsibilities is completely different than back then, and that is good. That means I have hopefully moved beyond my spiritual immaturity and grow and become closer to God and for that matter mankind.
Here is where I'm trying to go with this. What motivates me to live life, praise God and love others does not have to be your motivation. But you hopefully do have a motivation? If your not completely sure what that is right now, maybe because of hurt and pain that has come into your life then find out what it is. Will it probably change through the years? Maybe...probably but then again it might not. I personally have come to a realization that many of my motivations will always be the same like loving God as he loved me. But I also realize that life has a way of making you reevaluate what or who motivates you. My wife Cindy who passed away still motivates me every day, but not in the same way as she did while she was here. Do I want her to be proud of who I am and how I raise my girls. Absolutely...but can she motivate me with a smile, kind word or a kick in the pants when I need it. No...now it's very different. So by me acknowledging this I can say with confidence that someone or something might take that place in the future? No guarantee of that but it is human nature to seek out new meaning and motivation to help keep us focused on this journey of life.
I pray each of you have this motivation and if your not sure right now what that motivation is then go out and find a reason.
Here is where I'm trying to go with this. What motivates me to live life, praise God and love others does not have to be your motivation. But you hopefully do have a motivation? If your not completely sure what that is right now, maybe because of hurt and pain that has come into your life then find out what it is. Will it probably change through the years? Maybe...probably but then again it might not. I personally have come to a realization that many of my motivations will always be the same like loving God as he loved me. But I also realize that life has a way of making you reevaluate what or who motivates you. My wife Cindy who passed away still motivates me every day, but not in the same way as she did while she was here. Do I want her to be proud of who I am and how I raise my girls. Absolutely...but can she motivate me with a smile, kind word or a kick in the pants when I need it. No...now it's very different. So by me acknowledging this I can say with confidence that someone or something might take that place in the future? No guarantee of that but it is human nature to seek out new meaning and motivation to help keep us focused on this journey of life.
I pray each of you have this motivation and if your not sure right now what that motivation is then go out and find a reason.
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