Four Overwhelming Weeks

10/18/10 by Mark | Blog | Comments

Four weeks since the Chicago 1/2 Marathon. I can’t believe it’s already been a month since I was in Chicago to run the big race…not to mention the release of my CD. It’s been an exciting month! I’m blown away by the tremendous response people are giving the project – saying all kinds of nice things about the songs. I hope it’s encouraging, inspiring, and ultimately life-giving. Here’s a bit of a recap of the last month…

Sept. 12 – Chicago 1/2 Marathon – had a blast. I indeed did prove that “Impossible is Nothing” by accomplishing something I had considered impossible only 12 weeks earlier.
Sept. 14 – PILGRIM MAN CD released – I celebrated by watching the Twins beat the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago with my friend Dennis Rizo.
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Jesus Calling Deluxe Edition Released

10/14/10 by Mark | Blessing & Truth | Comments

You all know I’m a big fan of this inspired devotional book. The unique way Sarah writes speaks so clearly to me about God’s love and passion for me—and His encouragement that I can trust Him more than I think I’m capable of doing. Well, a brand new “Jesus Calling Deluxe Edition” of this book has just been released, and I highly recommend it. It has a beautiful embossed imitation leather cover, a ribbon page marker, and a presentation page (if you’d like to “gift” this to a friend). Also, the pages are printed on a little more classic feeling type of paper. Other than these tiny cosmetic features, it is the same unique, uplifting, bite-sized devotions that will challenge and inspire you every day of the year.

Click on the “Jesus Calling Deluxe Edition” cover above to open a flipbook where you can read the introduction from Sarah, as well as several sample pages. You will quickly discover why so many people have connected with the blessings and truths found in this book.

And just in case you already have your own copy of this great book. Sarah has a few other titles that you might be interested in…click here for more info on Sarah.

What Gives You The Right To Lead?

10/07/10 by Mark | Blessing & Truth | Comments

Leadership is something you learn and earn the right to do. Renowned business writer, motivational speaker, and NY Times bestselling author, John C. Maxwell, shares insight in this great little gift book on what it takes to be a leader. “The Right to Lead” is a character study of outstanding men and women throughout history, focusing on the qualities that are consistent in the lives of these great leaders. Through these beautiful pages, John offers key principles, stories, and reflections on preparing a leader’s mind and heart to lead both themselves and others. This book makes a fantastic gift for anyone in, or looking to be in, leadership – whether at your church or in business.

Have you ever heard John Maxwell speak? Here’s a great video of John from a recent leadership seminar about “How To Connect With People.”
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRYEw5SrAJ8&fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0]

I’m A Control Freak. Here’s Why.

09/29/10 by Mark | Blessing & Truth | Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot this week about what a control freak I’m capable of being. How I have some very specific ideas about how circumstances should unfold in my life. Specific ideas about how each person I know could better their own life by simply following my simple suggestions. Particular ways that I’d like God to bless me.

It’s this last one that makes me chuckle a bit. It reminds me of Christmastime as a kid. How I was very thorough in my list-making of all of the gifts I would need Santa to bring me in order to create a really great holiday. What that turns Christmas Day into is simply a checking off of the boxes of different things I asked for. No surprises. No true joy.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m aware of the Scripture that says I’m supposed to ask God for what I want. For me, it comes down to how am I going to respond to not getting what I really think I need to make this a really great life.

Do I really trust that God is going to take care of me? That God is really the creative one in this relationship, and actually knows some great ways (maybe even the best!) to bless me that will not only bring me great joy, but emphasize His goodness and love for me?

Can I trust God with the emptiness in my life that I’m trying so hard to fill up by controlling everything and everyone in my life? I believe the answer is yes. And I want to keep reminding myself of that belief.

Sarah Young, in “Jesus Calling,” so creatively writes what God is saying to me: Tell yourself that this is a perfect day to depend on Me in childlike trust. If you persevere in this dependence as you go through the day, you will discover at bedtime that Joy and Peace have become your companions. You may not realize at what point they joined you on your journey, but you will feel the beneficial effects of their presence. The perfect end to such a day is a doxology of gratitude. I am He from whom all blessings flow!

With great anticipation of His blessings, and not my own imperfect longings,
Mark

If you need your own copy of Jesus Calling click here to purchase!