Testimony

August 30, 2012 at 4:48 pm (Uncategorized)
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“For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

Testimony: open declaration or profession.

The word testimony is used frequently in the church. Often it is synonymous with telling one’s story of how Christ has changed their life. The word origin of testimony actually refers testimony of the two tablets carried in the ark. The truth they spoke was of the basis of the word testimony. So when we hear someone’s story we should also be looking for the truth of God. Listening to someone’s testimony is a great chance to embrace God’s wisdom.

John’s Story

John (fictional name…real story) is an inmate that regular attends jail Bible study. He has been in Summit County Jail for almost a year. He has attended Bible study every week. What did John do to get in jail? Does it really matter? Honestly none of us on the jail ministry team know why anybody is in jail. Leave judgment to God and punishment to the courts.

John has sat in jail almost a year awaiting trial. John had been exposed to Christianity religion. John could quote scripture, knew how to pray and would have the right answer to questions. But John didn’t know Christ.

John took God’s hand, will you?

Over the year John’s prayers became more fervent. He devoured scripture. We would give him a book a week to read. He always wanted more. As the year progressed, the Bible studies became more crowded. I’m sure John was bringing fellow inmates in to the Bible study. He never mentioned this though. John served God quietly as expected.

Last week John asked us to pray for him. It was finally time for John’s trial. He asked us to pray for him. John even told me good bye, expecting he’d be found innocent.

Yesterday I got to find out about John’s trial at Bible study. John was there, as he had faithfully been for the last year. He had a big smile on his face. This puzzled me. If he had been acquitted I wouldn’t have seen John. I found out he had been sentenced to 2-8 years.

Every week at jail a couple of guys pray. John asked to speak after them. This is something he had done once or twice, usually expanding on some scripture he had read. Today was a little different.

John shared the sentence with the men. Then he shared how he felt hearing the message. He related that he knew Jesus now. He credited his last year of incarceration as the time when that transformation had occurred. As he received his sentence he knew he would be OK. God was with John- always. John learned that God could help him with any tough times he’d face. John also had learned that adversity would bring him even closer to the Lord.

John never stopped smiling as he gave this testimony.

I’m not going to expound on John’s testimony. It stands well on its own. May God continue to bless John. And I personally thank John for reminding me what perseverance, faith and obedience are all about.

God Bless,

Mark

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Questions and Rumors

August 27, 2012 at 4:55 pm (Spirituality)
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“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.” Exodus 23:1

A simple post in the church bulletin. The post advertises for a job at the church. Wanted: Teenager or young adult to work 8 hours on weekends doing custodial work. The problem? The post is at my church. The second problem? I work doing custodian work at my church on the weekends.

I was inundated with questions at church as the bulletin news spread? Did I get fired? Why would they be replacing me? Was I Ok? Was I getting help finally (The finally was there word and I have never publically asked for help with my job.)? Did I know there were a bunch of applicants for the job? Who was I going to pick? Some of the kids applying even sought advice from me in how to secure the job.

The truth: THE CHURCH IS LOOKING FOR A TEENAGER TO DO PART-TIME CUSTODIAL WORK ON THE WEEKENDS. Why all the other questions? I know there were some folks who were generally concerned about my possible “demise.” I do appreciate their concern. Some people were looking for information that might help them. Some were looking for information just to have information. Information is power…isn’t it? And finally some were looking for gossip fertilizer (Pastor, feel free to use this phrase). Thoughts to spread that help rumors grow.

Do you see the problem? We take legitimate things and add to them. But the end results are not good. Meanings get conveyed that are just not true.  In the case of the job posting not much will come of it. Part of that is because I didn’t fuel the fire. If a kid asked me about the posting I simply told them they were free to apply. I did tell one lady that I didn’t get fired (At least not that I know of.) I told her that because I really thought she might lose sleep over the issue. I told people I had nothing to do with choosing the person. I did not share who did. That information was not mine to spread. As to the getting more help I replied that the church has always taken care of me. That was followed by a smile.

There are certainly other situations that are more volatile. I a friend of mine who works at a non-profit did not get a promotion that everyone thought he deserved. The rumors mills churned on that one. The simple reality was that he turned down the promotion. He had 3 teens at home and simply didn’t want to be away from home any more than he was.

A couple separates. People start talking about the why. But is that really any of our business? How does knowing that information actually help the couple? If they want you to know they will tell you. If they need a supportive listener they will ask. Feel the need to help them? Just simply let them know that your there for them. And should they talk to you remember what you did as a kid. Turn the key to your lips and then throw it away.

Finally back to me. If you want to know how I’m doing just ask me. I’ll be glad to share. In the meantime ask yourself the question “Why am I really asking this question?” It will slow the gossip mill and bring you a step closer to God. Amen.

God Bless,

Mark

 

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The Hulk

August 21, 2012 at 3:41 pm (humor, Spirituality)
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“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1

Today’s Blog took form at the Dollar General. The only Dollar General on my way to is not the safest one in the world. Often shoplifting happens while you are in there. Fight erupt outside the store. If you need help you go to the checkout island. I don’t think the cashiers feel comfortable walking around the store. But I just had to get something. So important that I can’t even remember what it was.

Do we really know who someone is?

So of course I can’t find the item. As I wander the store I have a shadow. A 6’4” shadow who looks like he is the cousin of the Incredible Hulk. I go left- Hulk goes left. I stop to browse…the Hulk waits on me. My shirt soaks through in anxious anticipation of the end of my earthly days. I wonder if anyone knows I want my body donated to science. After an eternity… well at least 3 minutes anyhow… the Hulk taps me on the shoulder.

My hand reaches for my wallet. The Hulk can have my 12 bucks. I’ll even throw in two old but unused bus passes. I start to ask the Hulk if this will be enough. He gets a big smile on his face. I do not- I can’t even speak. The Hulks speaks for me: “Are you one of those guys from the jail?” My mind goes back four years ago to when I was incarcerated. I don’t remember the man. The Hulk jogs my memory and reminds me he went to the Bible studies our group taught.

My heart beats again. My smile returns. He tells me that he is doing OK (Nothing more specific was offered.) He asks how Spice, the 18 year old dog of ministry member Gloria, is doing. He remembered praying for that dog every week. I tell him Spice passed away about 2 months ago. The Hulk, who also answers to Brian, weeps. I suddenly am consoling a massive ex-felon who I’ve talk to for all of two minutes. I offer the standard dog sympathy line, “Spice led a long happy full life.” Brian nods and affirms 18 years is a long time to be a dog.

Brian and I part ways.

I learn more from Brian that day than he probably every learned from me.

First, never go to the Dollar General if your life is in danger. We need nothing that badly (Mom I offered that advice to still your every worrying heart.)

Second, the “never judge a book by a cover” quote comes to mind. I did indeed judge the Hulk. Whether that’s good or bad is debatable. There is a fine line between making judgments and judging others. Making the judgment of whether or not I was safe at the moment was necessary. Judging Brian as a bad person was not.

Third, isn’t it amazing what people remember? If you asked me what Brian would remember from jail it wouldn’t be praying for Spice. Everything we do is a teaching point for someone else. None of our thoughts, words, or actions are throw-aways.

Finally I always need to keep reminding myself of who the best teachers are. The answer? Anyone we will listen to.

Have a great blessed day Mr. Brian the Hulk. I know you blessed mine- as well as everyone reading this Blog.

God Bless,

Mark

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What To Pray For

August 14, 2012 at 8:25 pm (Spirituality)
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Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Mark 10:35

I wonder if some of my requests make Jesus sit down?

I ask God for something almost every time I pray. Usually I ask God to intercede in problems  family and friends are facing.  Occasionally I even pray for something for me. But how should I pray. Do I ask for wellness for those who are sick? Is the prayer for cancer to be cured? Do I ask for my friend to get a job that pays better? Straight A’s for my kids? In Mark 10:35 the brothers of Zebedee, John and James, speak to Jesus, saying “’Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’”  And isn’t speaking to Jesus really prayer?

Nothing stops us from telling the Lord anything. But the disciples seemed to forget that they really need to ask, not tell Jesus what they need. How often do we tell rather than ask in our prayer. “Lord, make my pain better.” “Lord I need money.” “Lord help me out of the mess I made.” Sound familiar. Grace is given, not demanded. I also look at the times I have corrected my kids when they demanded something. Ironic that we can correct our kids but turn around and do the same thing when we pray.

Jesus plays along with the disciples and asks “What do you want me to do for you?”Mark 10:36 NIV. The brothers ask to sit at Jesus’s right and left side in Glory. Jesus corrects them, telling John and James that he came to earth to claim man’s sin- not sit on a throne. This is the other problem with our requests to God: we don’t always know what we need. Often we are even confused on what is right. The job you pray for may provide more money, But what if the job you do affects others in a more powerful spiritual way? What if someone’s journey dying of cancer shows other’s what being “sold out” to Jesus is all about? What if our pain makes us walk on God’s lighted narrow path? I know a few guys in jail (me included!)  who became better men because God left them in pain?

Today Lord do your will…lighten my burdens.

Romans 8:26-27 says “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.’ God knows what we need- even when we don’t. That is another part of God’s grace. He can cover for us. He will provide what we need. Today why not just ask God to give us what we need? He’ll get it right. And we get yet another burden lifted (Matthew 11:28-30). Amen.

God Bless,

Mark

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Mr. and Mrs. Bell

August 13, 2012 at 9:09 pm (Spirituality)
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“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31 NIV

Mrs. Bell is just a little happy!!! <3I talked about the Wedding of my friends this weekend. It was a perfect day. I have lots of thoughts about the day. Mainly advice for me since marriage isn’t something I’ve borne fruitful. Here’s a list of notes to myself.

As I said in the last Blog the Bell’s prepared for the wedding for almost a year. But the week before the marriage Desiree went home to Baltimore. The groom stayed 300 miles away in Akron. Having seen him for the week before the wedding I can tell you he was lost. The boy had clearly sold out to his woman. As they were reunited in Baltimore you could see she was lost without him as well. If that’s not how you feel when you get married should you really be there?

I patiently sat through the rehearsal and then through a 1 ½ hour sit in the groom’s room before the marriage. This was after a 45 minute drive to get the tuxes. I also was a little mystified by the bride having a stand-in at the rehearsal. I get that one now women- no need to send angry mail. I quietly thought it all. It was time to do whatever was necessary to keep the bride happy. I do believe there is more to it than that. All of this ceremony celebrates the covenant with God. This day needs be as close to perfect as possible. That is how special this promise with God is.

1 Corinthians 13

As Dr. Swoope officiated the service she asked Schestin and Desiree to leave the family candles flickering as they lit theirs. The Pastor felt that the bride and groom pre-marital lives each brought individuality and uniqueness to the marriage.  That was something special that should add to the marriage, not be erased. Are we will to accept the person we marry as they are or will we insist that they lose the essence of themselves?

I brought my daughter Mikayla to the wedding. She was excited about the trip. I asked her about the service and reception afterwards. She did have questions that were sparked by attending the wedding. It served as a good

Awwww

reminder that children today are flooded with images of couples living out of wedlock. Many kids haven’t even seen a wedding. We need to “drag” them to this sacred event so they can learn about the difference between shacking up and making a covenant with God.

As for me I’m not sure I’ll ever personally need this advice. God seems to have me set on a coarse for be being a single dude. But regardless, I will always hold on to the thoughts and images from this weekend. God Bless your marriage Schestin and Desiree, and thanks for letting me be a part of it.

God Bless,

Mark

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Pot Luck

August 6, 2012 at 10:06 pm (docmark's philosophy, Spirituality)
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I always love pot luck dinners and picnics- especially when everyone brings whatever they please. No telling if you’ll have six types of baked beans (Best attempted only if you are single) or get to sample 6 homemade desserts (break out the insulin!) Why not apply the same practice to my Blog occasionally? Today I’ll put down some random thoughts. Baked beans or desserts? Part of the fun is diving in and finding out.

I wasn’t kidding about the shoes!

“Earthly riches are full of poverty.” St. Augustine Yellow shoes: I watched the fifteen hundred meter men’s Olympic semi-finals yesterday. The runners all had yellow shoes on.  I thought it might be a visibility thing. Those distance runners are always tripping over each other’s feet.  Extensive (five minute) research agrees that it is a visibility thing. That is Nike and other shoe companies want the runners in those yuck yellow shoes because that color is easier to see. Guess it worked- I did notice the shoes. Buy them? I think not (partially because I have no intent on running anywhere.)

I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Matthew:25:36 NLT  The Aurora movie theatre killings, the pending plea of Jared Lee Loughner (Gabby Giffords), and the shooting at the Sikh temple yesterday all have something in common:  people who obviously had some mental issues. But we have always had people with mental health problems. But they have not always gone around committing mass murder. I think two things contribute to the increased rise in violence. One is that guns are entirely too easy to obtain. Gun laws exist that aren’t enforced. Certain weapons are legally allowed that clearly go outside the realm of self-protection or sport. The second area that we fail is being a community. I was around a couple mentally disabled people as I grew up. I distinctly remember that they were taken care of by the whole neighborhood. This allowed for better functioning of those with mental disabilities or mental illness. Now we don’t venture outside our doors. The disintegration of community is a modern day tragedy, and we are paying the price for it.

Awwwwwe

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV Our Youth Pastor and his honey are getting married in Baltimore this weekend. Congrats to Schestin and Desiree. I have watched their relationship continue to grow since they became engaged 8 months ago. I believe this is anchored in their commitment to their marriage being a covenant with God. They have done things the right way and I’m so proud of them.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42 NIV

Lataevia

Lataevia Williams. If that name doesn’t ring a bell let me fill you in. On August 1 Lataevia went to a birthday party. Things got out of hand outside. Lataevia went outside to check it out. Her penalty: a bullet struck and killed her. Lataevia was 14. The violence just doesn’t make sense. I ask you to pray for her, her family and all of our children. God we need your help in a bad way.

God Bless,

Mark

 

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Chick-fil-A

August 3, 2012 at 5:00 pm (docmark's philosophy, Spirituality)
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Who: Dan Cathy, President and COO of Chick-fil-A

What Cathy Said: “We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” Cathy said. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.” The Baptist Press 7/16/12

The Responses (Chronologically):

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel: “Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values.”

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino: The Mayor told the Boston Herald last week he doesn’t want Chick-fil-A in his city. The company is considering opening a location there. “Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston. You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population,” he said.

Philadelphia City Councilman James Kenney: Kenney sent a letter to Cathy, telling him to “take a hike and take your intolerance with you” and vowing to introduce a resolution at the next council meeting condemning the company.

Mike Huckabee: Declares Wednesday, August 1st, “Chick-fil-A appreciation day.”  Participants are asked to eat at the restaurant this day. No signs, no protests, just support Chick-fil-A.

 

GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation): In Response to Huckabee, encourage participants to donate to the cost of a Chick-fil-A meal to their organization on “Chick-fil-A appreciation day” and have a same sex kiss day at Chick-fil-A.

What Happen on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day: Over 550,000 people signed up for the event on Huckabee’s Facebook page. Chick-fil-A smashed sales records. Locations throughout the country ran out of chicken.

The National Same Sex Kiss Day: It is today. I have not checked out pictures of same sex couples kissing in Chick-fil-A. Nor have I looked up pictures of heterosexual couples kissing at Chick-fil-A. The only other on-line news that I saw was that a Chick-fil-A in Torrance, CA, was vandalized by activists last night.

WHAT I HAVE TO SAY:

I suppose we do have the first amendment right to protest in silly costumes.

I would like to start by paraphrasing my pastor, Dr. Swoope. She frequently says that sin is sin. But she also couples that with the statement that we all sin and we still need to love each other (Hopefully I conveyed your message OK Pastor). I also am reminded that God says we are not to judge others sins. The Pastor frequently reminds us that marriage out of wedlock is a sin as well. That is by far the most prevalent sexual sin in our society.

We all want to rush to hating each other so easily. Mr. Cathy expressed an opinion about what he believed was Biblically correct. How quickly things got out of proportion. This is not a condemnation of any ideology. This is a comment on how we express our beliefs. God tells us to love each other. In all our actions we need to ask if we are fulfilling the Lord’s commandment.

We have more power than we tend to believe. Without carrying a sign, screaming words of hatred, or donating to a right or left wing political group the people spoke. People spoke by simply going to a restaurant and getting lunch and/or dinner. The results were epic. Christians often complain of diminishing power in a secular world. But the Lord will always have our backs. And God’s power is unmatched. Of course those offended by Cathy’s comments are free to never set foot in the restaurant.

Cows everywhere need our help! Especially with spelling.

Dan Cathy’s comments were simply that- his comments. He has a right to say them. If you don’t want to hear them just don’t read them. I am writing this blog in a coffee shop owned by a gay couple. It is a nice play to write and they have great Chai tea. I don’t need to read the gay magazines that lay around the establishment. We have the first amendment right to free speech, but also the same right to tune out what we don’t want to hear.

Finally, this Blog making me hungry. As the cows says, “EAT MOR CHIKIN” Hopefully I’ll run into some of you. It’s a great, well run restaurant. And please no kissing- it’s gross in a restaurant regardless of your sexual orientation.  🙂

God Bless,

Mark

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