The Danger of Busyness

Happy lent, friends.

Been a busy week. Ever notice that when God wants to get a point across to you that the same message comes in repetition? For me as of late, the topic of "busyness" continues to creep into my path on more than one occasion a day.

I recently was reading the latest "Relevant" magazine subscription and came across an article that was written by Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. In it, he quoted a missionary by the name of Jim Elliot who said,

"I think the devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry and crowds... Satan is quite aware of the power of silence."

I was sitting at Starbucks when I read that and just thought, "yeah, point made, God. Point made." But the truth is, how hard is it to avoid all of the noise, hurry and crowds that we all come in contact with on a daily basis? I mean, the idea of "being still" is great. But, there are things that we HAVE to do, jobs that HAVE to get done and check lists we HAVE to complete.

So what is the secret? Wish I had the answer. I think it all boils down to one thing and one thing alone; practice.

I still consider myself to be a horrible runner. But you know what? I can run solid for 30 - 45 minutes. I remember when I started, however, my distance was 30 seconds. It was horrible. I remember thinking, "no WAY will I ever make a full mile!" But with some patience and practice, I made the mile and have gone well beyond.

Maybe the secret to being still is found in my lesson learned in running. Practice. What if, on a daily basis we stopped for a moment and just let silence enter in. In our car, in our home, in our thoughts. If you go back to scripture you find Jesus, time and time again sneaking off for some quiet time with his Father (Luke 5:16).

I like the approach Pastor Driscoll is taking in his life and, dare I say, I might strive for this in my own.

"I try and spend at least five short minutes an hour in silence, at least 30 minutes in uninterrupted silence each day, and a full day of silence once a month."

Not sure about you but silence is needed in MY life. And I have a feeling that if I allow the silence into my life, it might be found with the reassurance that I am not alone in the noise of the world. And THAT is something I need more than ever.

Grace and peace, my fellow journeyers!

Mark

The article posted the following. If you have the time, check it out...

the Bible has a great deal more to say about the benefits of purposeful silence including:

• hearing from God (1 Kings 19:11-13)
• waiting patiently (Lamentations 3:25 - 28)
• worshipping God (Habakkuk 2:20)
• knowing God better (Psalm 46:10
• praying effectively (Luke 5:16)
  

"Meat. It's NOT What's for Dinner"

Lent begins today and, honestly, I am quite excited about it.

The older I get, the more I have grown to appreciate the lenten season. I remember growing up, easter was that "day of the year" you wear the new tie, go to church and become overwhelmed with the smell of easter lillies, which, I am not convinced that they smell very pleasant anyway (Am I alone in this thought?)

But easter is so much more than that. Lent, for me, is a walk with Christ through what He did for each of us on the cross. Holy week has become a journey for me. From passion Sunday with the praise and rejoicing, to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and ending with the BEAUTY and UNASHAMED rejoicing on Easter Sunday morning recognizing that Christ HAS RISEN, He has risen, INDEED!

So with Lent comes the question, "What do I give up this year?" I haven't always participated in the 40 day fast of something. Only within the past 5 years or so have I started really recognizing this. And I might also add, who says you HAVE to give up SOMETHING? One year my wife and I took ON the task of having a daily devotion with one another. It was committing TO something and not giving something up. That is a beautiful thought, the thought of committing to something.

This year, Nycki and I are giving up meat and going vegetarian for 40 days. Honestly, I am excited about the thought. Of course, I am excited and it is day one. Ask me again in 20 more days.

Now I hesitated to type this out because it is not in the spirit of, 'my lenten give up is better than your lenten 'give up'. But here is what I would ask of you. 

Walk the journey with Christ this lenten season. Don't just look up Easter Sunday and say, 'oh yeah. That thing Jesus did, did happen." 

Breathe it. Walk it. Take your time in the journey and what awaits you on the other side, I have no doubts, is a total blessing.

Know that you are never alone on the journey, my friends!

Grace and Peace!

Mark

Could it Be Possible? (Part Two)

So I listen to Francis Chan via podcast. I love listening to Francis and I will tell you why. He is just so bold in his Word. He is working through Philippians with his church (coincidentally, I am doing the same with our college group and Mars Hill just finished a year long trip through the book of Philippians). The sermon Francis was giving this past Sunday was on rejoicing. As the sermon started, Francis Chan started with a confession. He shared that he was just having a terrible morning. He was angry, he was not in a mood to be with people and just felt that he was under spiritual attack. Then, he opened up with this beautiful spirit of authenticity with his congregation. Saying that he could easily go through the motions of speaking ON rejoicing, but, honestly, it is not where he was and more than anything, he need to be prayed for by those around him.

I loved this message. In fact, he shared that in the early service he had previously preached, he just "went through the motions" of what he had prepared and he said that it "failed miserably." Love it. And I will tell you why. I think at times, we put this amazing expectation on ourselves that we HAVE to act like we have it all together when, truth be told, there are moments when we just need to be transparent and admit we are a mess.

I relate to this all to often because I, too, feel this huge expectation from people to be "up" all the time. As I type this, I also realize that it is an expectation that I put on myself. I don't really think people "hold me captive" to my magnetic personality. But, truth be told, I feel the pressure. But here, in a moment of honesty, Francis shares that he just "doesn't have it all together" and needs some prayer.

So, a challenge for me today is to be authentic. If I need prayer, then I intend to ask for it from those who know me. If I see a brother or sister in need of prayer, then I intend to offer it. And I also plan to spend the day and days to come with "eyes wide open" and seeing what God has in store for me in the days ahead.

Need some affirmation? Re read Isaiah 43 OR read it for the first time and know... this is YOU God is talking too...

Grace and peace, my friends. Grace and peace!

Mark

PS...check out Francis' sermon by clicking here...

EVEN FRANCIS HAS A BAD DAY

Click under media and the sermon is the titled link above...

Could it be possible? (Part One)

Hey friends. I am thinking this is going to be a long blog so I will release in two parts. Here is part one!

Took awhile to break away and blog today but WAY too many thoughts going through my mind. Good thoughts. Challenging thoughts. Reflective thoughts.

I spent the weekend in Bryan, TX, with friends at First United Methodist Church in Bryan. It was such a recharge for me to be with that church family and speak to the youth at their youth Sunday service. I recently spoke in my own church on the desert and the need to know that, 1) it exists for us all and 2) no matter where we are in it, we are never alone. As I prayed and searched out direction for what I should speak on, God led me to the "desert" message and, honestly, I wasn't quite sure why. But afterwards, it was was very revealed that there was a need for many to hear it. Beautiful stories came from the service. I think a favorite came in the form of a grandmother who grabbed me at the conclusion of the service. She looked me square in the eyes and said, "You're weird". It caught me off guard and I just kind of laughed and said, "i'm sorry?" And then she repeated the compliment. "I said you're weird. But you know what? My grandson is too and he needed to hear what you had to say today. I am going to fill him in on all of it." She then just gave me this hug that I didn't know a grandmother was capapble of giving! Crazy strong bear hug. So the moral of the story is, "Embrace your weirdness. God will use it for His glory!"

Grace and Peace!

Mark

Coming up next... this quote from part two...

"Be careful when you can hear the word of God and do nothing. Because it quickly becomes a habit. And that is a scary habit to have in your life. When you can hear a sermon, get convicted by it and then do nothing."

Some Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

I wish my coffee addiction was just that... an addiction to coffee. Truth is, I hate coffee. It is the fraps and non fat mocha's that get me at $4 a pop. There might be hope, however. This morning I launched into a $1.27 tall bold pike's peak coffee with some half and half and it is not bad! I see hope...

I am heading over to Bryan, TX, to speak for the morning worship services of First United Methodist Church, Bryan. Going at the request of some dear friends, Matt and Kelly Idom. I am so looking forward to the opportunity. I would appreciate your prayers as I head in that direction over the weekend. Speaking "Desert" with them and the need to be reminded that, a) the Desert is uncomfortable, hot and we hate it... BUT... b) it is where we are refined, molded and become stronger and where are never alone as God is there with us in the midst of it. Beautiful stuff.

In regards to the 'No Ordinary People' tour, we just added First United Methodist Church, Houma in May. Dates are coming and we are stoked. Hey? What about bringing us to YOUR church?

Grace and peace, friends. Grace and peace.

Mark

The Blogging Begins

Here we go. The first of many blogs, I am guessing. I am so excited about so much that is in front of me. At present, I am thinking about the "No Ordinary People" tour I am doing with my friends chasingCANAAN. We are spending the better part of July this year in Haiti. Les Cayes, Haiti, to be exact. We will be working with a local orphanage, helping the local pastor in ministry and loving on people. Can't wait.

We are asking churches to help us by hosting "evenings of worship and awareness" where we will come in and lead worship. A lot of new songs are coming into this tour, as well as current worship songs. All we are asking is for a love donation of some kind, of which ALL monies go towards the cost of our trip.

It is amazing to think that it is already mid February. Lots to do.

Signing off now. Blessings my brothers and sisters and know that NONE of us are simply "ordinary people". In the eyes of the Creator... we are extraordinary!

Grace and Peace!

Mark