Author: Mark

Hubby to the greatest gal, Pastor of an amazing community, brother to a bunch of people called my family, lover of God, follower of Jesus.

God’s Reminders

On By MarkIn God's Glory, Memorial, ZacLeave a comment

I love how God leads us to remember. You know what I’m talking about. Sometimes it’s a verse of scripture. Sometimes an old song, or even a once familiar smell. And suddenly our minds go back in time to a different place.

Today, I got to thinking about Zac, my nephew who is with Jesus.

It’s Mandy’s birthday, and somehow that got me to click on the link to Zac’s blog that Mandy is keeping up.  I loved it. I love Mandy’s writing. I love that she is keeping his blog going b/c of all of his posts.  I love that under the ‘comment’ section I can learn more of Zac’s very wide influence through his story and his suffering.

I have great reminders today of a young man I loved and his desire to live it all for God, without hesitation and without apology.

Happy Birthday dear Amanda.

Psalm 151

On By MarkIn Bible, Psalm 1518 Comments

Okay, I know you didn’t fall for that. There is no Psalm 151.  There are only 150 recorded in the OT book of Psalms.

Yesterday at Grace I spoke from Jonah chapter two, you can listen here.  Sometime after Jonah enjoyed the flight from the belly of the Big Fish to the shore, he sat down and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote out what had just happened.  Apparently during the three days and three nights in the big boy’s belly, he had time to reflect and process just how awesome it was that God delivered him. In what I called a potential 151st psalm, Jonah gave God praise for the great thing He had done for him.  Like many of the psalms, we read about the despair of Jonah’s sin, the consequences of his actions and the Lord’s hand in a remarkable delivery. God is faithful as our sovereign Lord of all.  For that we praise Him.

Jonah recalled what happened and how God was sovereign over every detail.  After Jonah disobeyed and ran the other way as fast as possible, God allowed him to be tossed overboard and soon delivered by the really large fish. In Jonah’s psalm he says it was God who threw him overboard and the waves and billows that were messing with him, were all God’s.  So after the bad day at sea, Jonah looked back and saw God at work the whole time.

How about writing your own Psalm 151 as a praise to God for how He has worked in your life.  Remember, He invites us to be a part of His story.  So, take a few minutes. Think back on a time when you were really going through something hard. It may have been running from God, like Jonah, or simply a difficult time, like the death of a loved one, or loss of job.  During that time you may not have noticed God’s grace in the details, but afterwards it was more obvious that God never left you. He is sovereign over the mess of our lives and all the while loving us and inviting us to be a part of His amazing story of grace.

Think and pray about it. Write it out.  Feel free to use the ‘comment’ section below for your “not real long” psalm of praise. Or if you’d rather, you can email it to: pmarksblog@gmail.com

Today, we say ‘see ya later’

On By MarkIn God's Glory, Jesus!, Memorial, Zac3 Comments

Tough day. Glorious day. I dunno, you pick. Life with Jesus is awesome. Death on this planet sucks. I hate goodbyes. In just a bit, we’ll see Zac’s ‘earthly tent’ go in the ground. But we all know with clear confidence that on Sunday afternoon, Zac said ‘hey’ to Jesus, face to face. Seriously. And because of that, we do what we do. Tell as many people as possible that Jesus makes that gift available.

If you haven’t seen this for awhile, go ahead and take a look. http://www.hello-righton.com/2010/03/01/zacs-story-video/

Can’t wait to see Jesus, face to face. Until then, to God be the glory.

I Lost a Friend Today

On By MarkIn Cancer, God's Glory, Zac8 Comments

My nephew Zachary James Smith, died today @ 3:05 pm.  One year ago, the day before Mother’s Day, he learned he had stage 4 colon cancer.  I have a feeling I’ll have a few things to say about Zac over the next few days and weeks.  A couple of weeks ago he called and asked my to give the eulogy at his funeral.  But tonight I simply want to say, a very dear friend of mine died. He left this world and joined Jesus in the next.

Tonight I went to the NewSpring service alone. Most of the family went this morning while I stayed behind with Zac and Mandy.  I loved every minute of my day.  As we arrived at his house, I couldn’t believe I had the chance to speak with him one more time.  More on that later, maybe.

As I walked into NewSpring, I suddenly realized how surreal this was going to be. To be at Zac’s church, without Zac. There’s really no reason I would ever be in Anderson, South Carolina, or NewSpring Church, or know a handful of amazing people who I now know because of Zac.  I sat in the back and wept through most of the service. This one time, I kinda liked the idea of being alone.   The music, the memories of walking around the campus and the auditorium with Zac. This is only my 3rd visit to this place, but I’ve felt a sweet connection with this part of Zac’s life.  I really wanted to walk upstairs to his office and see his coworkers and say hi.  I wanted to walk to where his desk was. But I didn’t. I’m grateful for the memories of Zac throughout that place of worship and work.  I’m grateful for the many people that made that a special place for Zac.

My thoughts are many tonight. But for now, let me just say, Zac was not just a nephew that I loved, he was a friend. A really good friend. I already miss my friend.

A Book Review: PLAN B by Pete Wilson

On By MarkIn Book Reviews2 Comments

Plan B, by Pete Wilson

“What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought he would?”  That’s a question each one of us will face.  We all have an idea of how life should go, our marriage, job, church, relationships, our financial standing, all of it.  But, when we get that phone call, or someone drops the big news, or we find that pink slip awaiting us, we suddenly find ourselves facing Plan B.  Now what?

I can tell Pete is a preacher, and probably a real good one. He keeps me in the book by intertwining principles with personal stories and anecdotes. He shares some of his fatherhood stuff and his pastoral responsibilities in the face of difficult junk, all to help me realize how to navigate to and through my personal Plan B. So much of the Bible, including the cross, comes down to Plan B.

I love the honesty at the end of the book about the missing bow.  Followers of Christ need to read this and know that just because we love Jesus, we don’t get our way. We are all about His way, and the path often looks like a Plan B.

http://www.booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9780849946509

http://www.booksneeze.com/blogger/download/9780849946509

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Finish strong

On By MarkIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

I realized yesterday as we were honoring our college grads that this week was rather significant for ALL our college students. This week wraps up another semester. Projects, finals, saying goodbye to morning classes, even if just for a few months, this week is about change.
I’m so thankful for each and every student that calls Grace home during their college years. You are a blessing to this body. You are a part of this family. We will miss you while you’re away, and we long to welcome you back after your summer of adventure.
Let’s pray for our students as they take finals this week, and as many of them embrace the change that awaits them.
To those sticking around here for the summer, I’m so glad you can enjoy a beautiful Flagstaff summer, and especially grateful we get to worship and serve together.
If you’re a college student, I’d love to hear from you! What are your plans?
God bless each of you!

More Grace Gives

On By MarkIn GraceGivesLeave a comment

“Grace Gives” is our effort to serve the community of Flagstaff. We have 3 projects we’ve committed to and several more in the works. We’re asking the family of Grace Church to serve our community with the love of Jesus with no strings attached, no hidden agenda. Let’s allow God’s love to do what only God can do. Let’s be His hands and feet in the community we call home.
Last Sunday we had about 100 people sign up for some of the needs. This Sunday we’ll have the sheets available again to give more of you an opportunity to serve. Thanks Grace, for being so giving.