Message (Page 4)
The next 10 days are the roller coaster of Youth ministry year. The highs and lows of emotions, energy and excitement, with all that I know is coming. I still struggle with one thing during the summer season that I fight with. You would think it would be sleep, planning, getting Junior High Boys to bathe regularly, or something like that. What I struggle with during camps, mission trips and even on things, like Family Vacation is “Being Present”. Verses…
Notes From Mark
With whom are you least patient? Is it a family member? A Friend? The government? I would guess if we are honest with ourselves that this person would be you. We tend to be hardest and least forgiving of ourselves when we falter. This might be particularly true in our spiritual life. Have you ever questioned your salvation because of a sin you committed? Maybe you have been fighting desires or fears and the same ones keep throwing up roadblocks…
Unity
An old adage says, “United we stand; divided we fall.” That is so true with churches. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes “I appeal to you, brothers…that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” In unity, we can accomplish so much for God. The writer of Hebrews said, “We should not cease assembling together…but encourage one another.” We need each…
Before I left for Madrid I was asked to submit some inspirational thoughts and encouragement through letters to 2 former students. 1 student has just finished his preparation for a 7-month deployment aboard a carrier. This former student also has just recently got engaged and is planning a wedding for next summer. I was also asked to submit some encouragement for another former student that will be completing his Air Force Boot camp this week. As I sat and thought…
Notes from Mark
Yesterday was fantastic! I was truly overwhelmed by the reponse of our church body to the need of painting our children’s area. These people came determined to do the job and have fun doing so. It was a sweet time of fellowship which made the work seem – fun! My heart was filled to overflowing with gratitude and praise. I cannot say thank you enough. I do thank Karen & Steve Antwine, Robyn, Lance, Ty & Will Antwine, Richard &…
Unity
An old adage says, “United we stand; divided we fall.” That is so true with churches. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes “I appeal to you, brothers…that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” In unity, we can accomplish so much for God. The writer of Hebrews said, “We should not cease assembling together…but encourage one another.” We need each…
Good Decisions
Some of you know that I don’t like corn mazes. I don’t like having to make a decision as to which way to go with little or no information. It is not fun for me! Whenever I am making a decision, I do my homework. I get the information I need to make a decision. Some of that information may be counsel or advice from others. If it is a spiritual decision, I seek the counsel of Christian men and…
Rescue The Perishing
Jesus desires that everyone be saved. It is our job as a believer to share our faith with others. We need to be urgent about it. Years ago, a fire broke out in a hotel in Chicago. Flames and smoke blocked the normal escape routes. Some people went onto a balcony to escape the smoke, but they were trapped there. It looked as if they were doomed. However, one man found an exit to a fire escape. Courageously, he made…
Last Friday as I sat at a restaurant with 7 wonderful leaders from our Youth Ministry, These 7 students had just spent a week at Super Summer Oklahoma. One thing we began doing last year was to take a picture of all of our name tags when we left #SSOK. As we took this picture and posted it on our Youth Ministry Instagram (#EBCUthMin) We began to think about the summer of 2019. The biggest question I had for them…
Productivity
I am enjoying Vacation Bible School this week. I am thankful for all those who serve to make VBS happen. It is a good work. It is an investment. It is productive. In Matthew 7, Jesus says “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who…