Marks Quotes and Poems

Here are some of the poems and quotes that I have written over the past months. I hope they may be of use. If one is a blessing to you, let me know

 

Click on the link below and then click on it the second time it comes up.

 

Marks Quotes

The Value of Problems

1. Problems provide us with greater opportunitues.

2. Problems promote our spiritual maturity.

3. Problems prove our integrity.

4. Problems produce a sense of dependency.

5. Problems prepare our hearts for ministry. (more empathetic)

Blessed is the Leader | The joy of Serving

Blessed is the leader who knows where to go, why to go there, and how to get there.

Blessed is the leader who knows no dicsouragement, and presents no alibi.

Blessed is the leader who knows how to lead without being dictorial.

Blessed is the leader who leads for the good of the most concerned and not for personal gratification.

Blessed is the leader with his head in the heavens and his feet on the ground.

Blessed is the leader who considers leadership an opportunity to serve.

Blessed is the leader who has learned to become a humble shepherd.

Blessed is the leader who is lead by the Spirit and not driven by circumstances.

Blessed is the leader who will carry others to greater heights than he has gone.

Blessed is the leader that accepts failure as an opportunity to walk more intelligently.

Steering a moving car

It is much easier to steer a car when it is already in motion. Often the same goes for God’s leading in our life. If you are not hearing from God in what direction He desires for you to go, get busy doing something and let Him steer you into His will.

Just To Say “Thank You” and “God is Good”

I am so grateful to the Lord today. God is good…… and all the time. He has been with Julie and me through a difficult year. I am so thankful for my precious wife that has been my earthly source of strength. Emily has lifted us up and made us smile just when we have needed it the most. My parents and my sister and her family have encouraged and cared for us both. Friends have prayed from all over the world. Our church family has been such a haven for us to regain strength, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

These five surgeries have certainly helped with some of the areas of pain, but the recovery of my strength has been a long process. As someone who has always loved to play sports and considered myself to be a fairly strong person, having to walk with a cane for a great portion of this year has been has not been my cup of tea. Having to ask my wife to pick up my shoes for me has been humbling at times, but it has made me more thankful for good health.

We are so excited about getting back to ministering  to our military families again in the next few weeks. We love being able to be used of the Lord. This past year has been difficult in many ways, but our limitations to be involved in God’s work has probably been the most difficult thing for us to accept. We are hoping that all the new body parts in my spine (screws ,bolts, rods, and plates) will keep us going for a while. Thanks to all that have continued to encourage and pray for us. We sincerely appreciate it.

We all have much to be thankful to God for!

Where there is no Vision

It has been said that, “people only see what they are prepared to see.”  Many times we fail to adequately portray the vision that God has placed on our hearts. Others cannot catch the vision until the vision has been properly communicated,

A vision takes Pondering, Preparation, Passion, Perseverance, and Power.

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision is simply passing the time. Action with vision is making a positive difference.

Vision looks inward and becomes duty. Vision looks outward and becomes aspiration. Vision looks upward and becomes faith.

“Momentum by itself is useless to truly bless the church, but, when it is caught up on the wings of the Spirit of God, it can lift the church to greater heights.”

A home built to be blessed

In Genesis 18:17-19 the Bible says this, 17- And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;  18- Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?  19- For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

We find here in this simple passage one of the greatest statements that could be said about a father, and this encouraging statement is being told by God, Himself. The watchful eye of the Lord was looking at the care of Abraham for his children and family and he said, “For I know him, that he will command his children, and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord,..” What an awesome revelation to be given by an omniscient God, who knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. He said of Abraham that I know he will nurture his home in the ways of the Lord. This is a wonderful testimony to be given of the character, wisdom, devotion and love of a godly father. There were many who could have given outward assurance of what a righteous man Abraham was. They watched his steps, followed his pattern, listened to his teaching, and all of that could have brought many to the same conclusion that God portrayed….but, God knew his heart, his thoughts, his motives. I wonder how many people who are watching us as parents, could clearly see that the desire of our heart is to keep our family in the way of the Lord. Could they come to this conclusion by taking notice of our priorities, our decisions, our worship, our faithfulness….but, even more, can God give a witness of what type of example we really are as parents?

I was interested to see if the scripture shed light on what things were noticed by God to bring Him to this conclusion about Abraham.

1. In Genesis 12:1-4.  We find here that Abram had an Obedient Spirit.  What God told Abram to do, he was quick to react in an obedient manner. Certainly, his family took notice of Abram’s response to God. Our children will be much more respective to God’s commands if they find parents  quick to obey the will of God. 

2. In Genesis 13. We find that Abraham chose to Make Decisions by Principle.  Abraham did not make decisions out of convenience or gain, but by deciphering what would be best for his family, through the will of God. Certainly, we see the results of this decision in comparison to the failures of Lot.

3. In Genesis 14 & 15.  We find that Abraham Relied on God to Sustain.  Abraham was not going to look to the King of Sodom to bless him, but to the One who had always, sufficiently met his needs. Our children desperately need to see a trusting reliance on God to supply and sustain His children. How are our children ever going to learn to look to the Lord in time of need, if they do not see dad and mom doing the same?

4. In Genesis 18 & 19.  We see that Abraham was concerned that he Provided a Godly Environment for His Family. Abraham knew that tragedy could come if he would allow his home to be lured into the worldliness and ungodliness of Sodom. The green pastures were not near as important to Abraham as was the peace of mind of being far from the snares of the devil. Too many parents are drawn into the trap of seeking for the green pastures more than protecting the hearts of their children. An atmosphere of godliness goes a long way in hedging our children from the alluring of the world.

Two illustrations come to my mind when I think about the comparisons of Abraham and Lot:

A man who I pastored came to me one day and somewhat indignantly said, “Pastor, I cannot get my family to want to come to church.” He said, “I need you to come by and talk to them and see if you could encourage them to become faithful.”  I set up an appointment on Thursday to come by and meet with the family. I drove into the driveway and I was met in the front yard by the teen daughter. Dressed like a harlot, she was having a gleeful time making out with her boyfriend in the front yard. I guess, with acceptance of her dad and mom. I went from there to the front porch and was about to knock on the door. I heard from the back of the house the dad yelling and screaming at the teenage boy and the same was heard from the boy to the dad. All of this was reverberated by the sound of loud, rock music in the background. The dad finally came and invited me in. He asked me to sit down while he tried to round-up his family. Being, a nosey pastor, I started looking around the living room. I saw stacks of cd’s of godless music, dvd’s that you could tell by the cover where not healthy for anyone, spiritually. I could not see a Bible anywhere in sight. There was an atmosphere of worldliness, sensuality, unkindness, rebellion, and disobedience. I got the dad’s attention, and asked if I could speak to him a minute. To make a long story short, I told him, “I don’t need to talk to your family. I can see the reason your family does not care about the Lord. You have set up an atmosphere in the home that is breeding all this worldliness. The change has to begin with you.”

To look at the other side of the coin, another story comes to mind. I was preaching in a church one day and the pastor introduced some teens from a family that were going to come sing. They got up, and in a worshipful manner, they sang a beautiful song that ministered to my heart. After the service the teens came and very mannerly introduced themselves to my wife and me. They were first-class, confident, but respectful in their mannerisms. We inquired a little about their home. You could tell that they loved and respected their parents. I was impressed with the attitude of these teens. One day Julie and I were invited to come eat in their home. We were greeted at the door with handshakes and smiles from all the children and the parents. Beautiful music was playing in the background. A number of instruments were set up around the home that the children played. On the coffee tables were Bibles and songbooks and you could tell that they were well used. I heard “yes ma’am” and “yes sir”. I saw smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. We did not see a television anywhere in sight and I could see very quickly what the reason was that caused these young people to catch our attention at that service.

These two examples did not come by mistake or chance. One home had an environment that encouraged the flesh and one had the environment to encourage the Spirit. One home was built to be blessed and one was built to be burdened. Oh, could it be said by God and others, that they know that we will teach our family in the way of the Lord. 

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