“There are no words”

On By MarkIn ThanksLeave a comment

Actually, there are.

When overwhelmed with thoughtful gratitude, you may find yourself looking for the right weight of a word. “Thankful” on Thanksgiving seems too obvious, too simple, maybe even trite. Yet it is one of the most powerful words we have. Both in the telling and receiving. What other words come to mind when thinking of your thankfulness? Thankful, grateful, blessed, encouraged, affirmed.

How do you feel when someone randomly expresses thanks to you for a job well done, or better, for just being you; thankful for who you are, how you live, the love you give? What drives you to express those sentiments to another?

Thankfulness is a condition of the heart. Without knowing it, we all have bazillion things to be thankful for, most of which get us through our day to day living. Those are the low hanging fruit to mention around the thanksgiving table.

But the real issue of the heart begins with one’s worship of God. Whenever we gather to worship, we’re saying “thank You” to the Lord. Why else would we gather? Let your thankful heart begin with the Lord.

The Psalmist instructed Israel to be quick to thank God because of His faithfulness in redeeming them from Egypt, and even in a time of captivity.

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary” Ps 107:1-2 NASB (Ps 105:1; 106:1)

If you need a beautiful reminder of God’s redeeming work for us spend a minute in Eph 2:4-10.

The heart of a thankful one will quickly move to the people the Lord puts in your path, family, your community. There are plenty of words to express a grateful heart towards one another. Let’s practice gratitude with generosity.

I’m finding myself overwhelmed with gratitude for so many people and blessings, challenges and victories, seasons and songs. So much. Thank you, Lord for your continuing, ongoing, never ending grace. James 4:6

Perhaps you didn’t wake up this morning with all the feels of thanksgiving. That’s okay. Take some time to process where you are, and look for what comes easily, knowing that God is always full of grace to give. Trust Him, find rest in Him.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7

‌To my dear family, friends and extended Grace family, let me borrow Paul’s words as I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil 1:3-6

Grateful for the Lord’s Kindness

On By MarkIn Flagstaff, Grace Community, Thanks4 Comments

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” James 1:2

Last Friday evening I was doubled over in pain for a few hours before a trip to the ER at FMC. By noon the next day, I was in surgery having my gall bladder removed.  I learned it’s perhaps one of the most common surgeries at the hospital.  I’m sure I’ve heard of others having gone through it before, but honestly you just don’t give it much thought until it’s your turn. I won’t bore the reader with the predictable descriptions of pain and the challenge of patience, waiting for my number in the ER.  What I simply want to say is how grateful I am for the entire event.

No, not the pain. Didn’t ask for or enjoy that. Yet, it’s what alerts the attention to take care of something before it worsens, so yeah, I guess I am thankful for that part of the story.

After the pain meds got to work and before I learned what the issue and remedy would be, I was amazed at how nice everyone was.  From the people that take your information to the nurse that begins the vitals and history.  The attendants in my ER room for several hours including the surgeon on call who kindly came in and explained what was going on how it would play out, the entire staff of people were spot on.  They were aware of me and the mess I was in. They expressed empathy while administrating professionally.  I experienced several firsts during the event. My first sonogram, my first actual hospital stay and of course my first meeting of the many different nurses, doctors, surgeons and others whom I don’t quite know the correct terms or initials.  All kind. All helpful.

As I lay there between ‘draws’ and resting, I thought of so many people working together to meet my need.  I doubt they all even know each other, but each had a role, and each did it well.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thes 5:18

The reason for this post is to say thanks. To thank God for a great doctor who recommended I go immediately to the ER without knowing what we were looking at. An amazing wife who took over all that night and the following week to make sure meds were taken and help me avoid the tendency to get going too quickly.  Grateful for my surgeon and her assistant, the day shift, the night shift, the ones I learned were new to FMC and the neighbor who’s been helping people for many years.

As a pastor I’ve spent plenty of time in the hallways and waiting rooms and bedsides of Flagstaff Medical Center, but as a patient, I must say I again was proud of my town, my people. First class care.

Two lessons learned:

  1. We all need each other.
  2. It takes all of us working together.

In addition, let me simply say a huge thanks for my Grace Church family for their prayers, cards, emails, texts, and the meals provided.  Very few are on my list of who to call on a Saturday to preach on Sunday. Thank you to my friend and colleague, Brian. 

I’m looking forward to joining with my people at Grace tomorrow.  Thank You, Lord for the experience and Your grace and favor in the outcomes. 

A most excellent Christmas gift.

On By MarkIn Christmas, Israel Trip2 Comments

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:15

Here we go, Christmas 2022! We are just days away from people gathering together for Christmas traditions and celebrations, Christmas Eve services, candlelights, carols and exchanging of cards, gifts and family hugs. Reunited families gathering around the tree and later the festive table for the feast. Neighbors waving and kids playing with new toys. Most have prepared and waited for weeks for this special season. And here we are. Christmas has come and the meaning is as powerful as ever for those that know and follow Jesus.

Christmas is special.

Whether or not it matters that there were barnyard animals looking on as December 24 rolled around, the truth is, the Bible tells us that the Word became Flesh and dwelt among us. The prophecies and purposes of God were about to be fulfilled. So, as followers of Christ who have been changed by His grace, we celebrate, we remember and we worship.

Join with the Grace Church family this Christmas Eve for 5:15 service either on Friday Dec 23, or Saturday Dec 24. Hope to see you there.

Here’s a gift idea:

If you’d like a great idea for a gift that will long be remembered, come to Israel with me and Laurie this coming October. We will once again be hosting a group to the Holy Land and walk where Jesus walked. We’ll even have a chance to go to Bethlehem where the whole experience of “Immanuel: God with Us” began. You’ll see the garden where Jesus prayed the night before the crucifixion and the garden tomb where we believe His body was laid, before the glorious resurrection.

Check out the information here. After the holidays we’ll begin having some interest and information meetings. So, whether to give or receive, what an ideal Christmas gift: let’s go to Bethlehem and see!

http://www.allaboutgrace.com

https://www.adventurebibletours.com/grace-church-flagstaff

Blessings to you this Christmas.

Fall.

On By MarkIn FlagstaffLeave a comment

Honestly, social media, like Facebook have kind of changed how we see blogs. I get it. I do. There are many times I think, “Oh that would be a healthy thing to share”. But then I share a small snippet on social media, or I freeze between the options and write nothing.

I thought of that last week as I went to a funeral of a dear friend and mentor, then later that same day I learned of a young man (ok, younger to me:) that had suddenly passed away.

So, today, I’m jumping on just to ramble for a bit.

Today, my younger sister would have turned 60. She’s in heaven now, so 60 means nothing to her. We were always “twins for a week” before my next birthday changed it back to me being the older one.

Fall is funny that way. A time for birthdays and a time to celebrate the beauty of another changing season. I love fall because I can see the vivid colors and appreciate the final hope of mild weather. All that will change very soon.

Here’s a video the nice people of fb put together for me.

Just for Fun!

On By MarkIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

A few shots of a recent walk-thru:

A view from my office.
Brian headed into Grace Kids!
“Hospitable with the Gospel”
Love this view. “Flagstaff needs Jesus and Grace needs a home”
Thanks for praying with us for this project and the continued ministry of Grace in Flag!

For Such a Time as This

On By MarkIn God's Glory, Grace Community, Holy SpiritLeave a comment

Anyone familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures knows well this phrase. It certainly makes for a great sermon title. I recall early on in the pandemic we were doing outdoor services and I did a short series on “Now More than Ever”. As I prepared that series I soon realized it’s a topic and theme that are timeless and necessary. We all live only in the moments we have and want to be purposeful about getting the right things right. The same is said of Mordecai’s words from Esther 4:13-14.

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. 14 For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

This evening, March 16th is the start of the one day celebration of Purim. This is the Jewish holiday remembering and celebrating God’s deliverance of His people through the prompting of Mordecai to encourage Esther to go before the King with the news of Haman’s wicked plot. Esther knew what it might cost her, which in turn prompted Mordecai’s famous challenge.

For those who are following the teaching at Grace, we are finishing up a study of Ezra and Nehemiah. Interestingly there is overlap in the stories with the timeline of Esther. It is not specifically stated in the scriptures, but tradition gives us cause to wonder if Nehemiah’s request of the Persian King was granted in part by the influence of Esther’s story just a few years prior. Same city. Same family dynasty. We won’t speculate too much on that, but there’s nothing wrong with wondering about the potential impact. What we do know is that the people (Jewish people still in exile) were spared and given a celebration in place of a mass memorial. Just a few years later, the people were encouraged to return from a place of exile to a home with expectation.

Is the Lord leading you to stand up, speak up, to sit up and lean in towards something that may in fact turn out bigger than you realize?

Today, the Lord dwells within His people. His work is our work. Our identity isn’t found in how well we do that work, but rather in the gracious gift of the Holy Spirit living and working within us. It is Christ in me that causes me to lean in and say, “Yes Lord, I’m all in. For such a time as this, You made me, loved me, and have empowered me to do Your will for Your great glory. Let’s celebrate God’s faithfulness to His people then and now as we remember the remarkable story of Esther.

Progress

On By MarkIn Flagstaff, Grace CommunityLeave a comment

Just a couple of pictures from our new church campus site. Along with the guys getting the walls up, I noticed the HVAC team inside installing vents and all the goodness of HVAC. Good stuff. These guys were hustling as the weather was coming in for this afternoon’s snow. Which has now arrived!

March 1 Updates

On By MarkIn Flagstaff, GRACE1 Comment

Who chose that generic title? The thing about a blog is everyone can see how lame the author is in not posting for months at a time. I honestly think of updating with an occasional idea, but then a squirrel runs by and I can’t remember what day it is.

Welcomed snow last week!

Here are some updates: All great, by the way!

Yesterday our school district followed CDC guidelines and REMOVED the mask mandate for Flagstaff schools! For this I am so thankful. It communicates a few key ideas: The pandemic seems to be slowing. The metrics are going in the right direction. Many people can return to in-person community that have been unable to join us at Sinagua for a variety of reasons related to masks. Everyone is welcome! For those desiring to wear a mask, please do so. We’ll continue to make masks available as it is still recommended. Remember, always be gracious towards each other. However, no longer a mandate!

This Sunday, at Grace we’ll give the total of our recent ALL IN: Refresh. It’s pretty great news. If you missed Sunday, go online to catch the service. You can also go here to renew or make a first time pledge towards our new church campus through ALL IN.

Plan on staying after church this Sunday and support the Indian Bible College as they prepare “Indigenous Tacos”. They are raising funds for a missions trip and we can help while enjoying a great meal together. Let’s blow them away with our typical Grace Generosity!

Enjoy a few shots over the past couple of weeks. More to come…

Snow was welcomed in Flagstaff last week, and it barely held back the work. Though snow is necessary in the mountains, the milder winter has been somewhat helpful for the project. (think: glass half-full)
Laurie and I enjoyed getting out for a little snowshoeing on Friday. I love how blue the sky is as a backdrop to the beautiful ponderosas and fresh snow!

It’s like a time-out for your mouth

On By MarkIn Bible, Grace Community, ProverbsLeave a comment

As we work our way through a Proverbs-a-day I hope you’re beginning to realize the benefits. If you’re just getting started, read today’s Proverb (along with any other regular reading you enjoy) and ask the Lord to give you wisdom from His Word for today.

The goal is to learn from God, to start the day with some quiet and give yourself permission to listen to legit wisdom.

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself

Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth. Pro 30:32

You don’t need to wait until you’ve foolishly exalted yourself or set out to plot the evil. Maybe by rehearsing this verse in your heart and mind, you can catch it before it becomes necessary. Wisdom doesn’t say ‘never speak up’. Wisdom knows the times we need to give our mouth, or keyboard, a time-out.

Have a great day. Even if it’s a little quieter.