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.

News and Thoughts

On By MarkIn Cancer, church, Pray, Zac2 Comments

Resurrection Sunday is coming. I can’t wait.  Not just because most churches have a lot of people. And not because I get to have an extra special meal on that day.  I can’t wait because it really does mean something to me personally.  I get it.  Jesus rose from the dead.  If you’ve been in church-world very long you say and sing those words almost without thinking.  But stop and think about it.  “Because Jesus rose from the dead…”

Last Sunday I preached on the cross and my points each started with; “Because Jesus died on the cross…” I’m not done with my sermon for Sunday, it may or may not have that familiar sound to it, but I’m liking it.  So, what is different in your life ‘because Jesus rose from the dead’?  I’m thinking that’s huge.  Go ahead, think about  it and I’d love to read your comments below.

Here’s some news.  This morning I was told that Duane and Becky Witt’s daughter was on CNN.  Here’s the link if you want to check it out. I know her as Vanessa, but her name is now Giada! Pretty cool.  This is a great reminder to pray for her and many others that are serving in our military operations around the world.

As you pray this week, please pray for Mary Olson and her sweet family.  Mary learned yesterday that cancer has spread in her body, particularly to her bones. This is hard news, but they are confident of God’s love and care for Mary, as am I.  They are pursuing answers so they can make good decisions.

I noticed today Zac has a new blog update. You can click on it on the top right side of this page.

Let’s pray together

On By MarkIn Jesus!2 Comments

This Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, aka Easter. But then so is every Sunday really. We worship God as a church on Sunday because of the resurrection on Sunday.  Yet, we all know this Sunday is a day that more churches will have more guests than usual.  So, let’s enjoy it. Let’s be ready.

I’ve asked the people of Grace to pray/invite/welcome. Pray for opportunities to invite someone to church. Then take the opportunities God gives you. Invite them. Say the words. They won’t bite. They may reject. Probably won’t even laugh. But there are some that are just waiting for you to invite them. Then everyone reach out and welcome people at church on Sunday. Again, like you do every week!

I want to pray for and with you. If you’ll post a comment, I’ll join you in praying for your friend. Together, let’s pray that this week, though it really is just another week, will be special for someone who will come because they were invited and they will have their life changed because of Jesus. Okay? Let’s do this together. Alright, go…

It is Well!

On By MarkIn Worship2 Comments

One of my recent favorite worship albums is AWAKE from North Point Live.  I love the classic song It is Well with a beautiful chorus added.  You can get it here. It’s worth the buck. Actually the whole album is good.

There are plenty of things to get us distracted and feeling overwhelmed, like pretty much everyday.  But the truth is, in the hands of our loving God, “it’s all good”. (That’s the new lingo for it is well.)

I don’t know how much you enjoy good music, but I’m an avid listener to a variety of music. Worship music does its job when I listen and am encouraged, or challenged, or simply in awe of God and His greatness.  I recently retweeted a great statement made by a worship leader, “gotta give props to God for creating MUSIC…He could have kept it for heaven, but He knew we needed a little teaser here on earth”.  Agreed!

Who’s waiting to be asked?

On By MarkIn church, GRACE, Jesus!Leave a comment

I read the other day that 30% of people would go to church with you on Easter if they were just asked. Wow. Think about it. Almost one of three are simply waiting for a personal, thoughtful invitation. In 12 days we celebrate the biggest deal of all time. We like to call it a Resurrection Celebration. Truth is, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus every Sunday. But, I’m glad we set aside one day to remember and share this amazing truth with as many as possible.

Here’s what you do. Make a list of 10 people you’d like to invite. Pray for them. Pray that they’d be open and ready. Be intentional about inviting them. Do it over the back fence, or over the little wall that separates your desks. Maybe send them a “happy Easter’ card now, inviting them to join you for church and lunch. This isn’t complicated. Not necessarily easy either. But really, we have the greatest news on the planet and we have a special day to highlight the central truth of our faith in Jesus as Lord and giver of life. So, whether you attend Grace with me or you’re in a different church, let’s invite someone to come alongside as we follow Jesus!

So my professor is stopping by…

On By MarkIn GRACE, Mentors, Seminary1 Comment

It’s a rare privilege to have a noted theologian as our guest teacher at Grace. That’ll happen this Sunday, March 21st.

I remember on more than one occasion, one of my other seminary profs would say, “Now remember Mark, you’re the theologian for Flagstaff”, as if to say it was my job to keep the theology correct and current throughout Flagstaff. While it may be true that any good pastor also must serve as a resident student of theology, it was a little daunting to think it was my job to protect the doctrines and to clarify the gospel in these ever increasing fuzzy times we live in.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:14-17

Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Tim 1:13-14

The truth is, it is my job, as well as any other teaching pastor to teach the scriptures with much study and integrity that leads to life-changing application.  This is why it’s a treat to have one of my first seminary professors as our guest this Sunday. Dr. Earl Radmacher will probably never be remembered or referred to as ‘Pastor Mark’s professor’, but to me, he’ll always be that.  Dr. Radmacher led the team that put together the Nelson Study Bible.  He served as General Editor.  Needless to say, it’s my favorite study Bible.  He served as President of Western Seminary and was instrumental in the beginnings of what later became Phoenix Seminary.  He’s passionate about the accurate and clear interpretation of the Scriptures. He’s enthusiastic about the doctrine of salvation, and he’s pretty clear on his understanding of the church. See why I like him?

So, yes. My professor is stopping by Grace this Sunday. If you can be there, I’d highly recommend it.  It’ll be a treat.

Glory to God…Forever.

On By MarkIn God's GloryLeave a comment

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship”.

Last week I had the privilege to visit with my nephew Zac Smith in Anderson, SC while we attended a conference at NewSpring Church.  We talked of life and death, miracles and healing, ministry and calling, joys and struggles, life after death, and God’s glory in any and all of these.  I am profoundly impacted by this man.  Many of you have seen his video testimony.  He really means it when he says ‘it’s all for God’s glory’.

After a dreadfully long day of travel, I was up early reviewing my sermon notes when I got a call on Sunday morning.  I heard the terribly shocking news of the death of a dear friend’s wife the night before.  The last time I had been to SC in October I had Greg Tonkinson preach in my absense at Grace. Greg and I went to seminary together. He is a better preacher than I am, and a great dad and loving husband. The night before, Greg’s wife Leigh Ann, was killed in a tragic car accident in Gilbert, AZ.  As Greg’s brother was telling me this on the phone early Sunday morning, I couldn’t speak. I was stunned. Who wouldn’t be?

Leigh Ann was the beautiful mom of three precious kids and wife to my friend Greg.  I was reading my notes for the sermon that morning on the cross of Jesus. How do we see the cross of Jesus?  Do we see it like Pilate, the Roman soldiers, John, Mary?  Do we see it as necessary?  The cross had to happen because sin brought death.

Zac’s life is about bringing glory to God; through a healing, or living life with pain, or in death. Either way, glory to God, forever. Today he’s living life courageously with a painful disease.

Leigh Ann lived life for the glory of God, and then it was over.

Laurie and I hope to make it to Leigh Ann’s funeral on Friday.

Do we give God glory in life?  Are we ready to see Him get glory even in our death?

Glory To God Forever
Before the world was made
Before You spoke it to be
You were the King of kings
Yeah You were yeah You were
And now You’re reigning still
Enthroned above all things
Angels and saints cry out
We join them as we sing

Glory to God
Glory to God
Glory to God forever
Glory to God
Glory to God
Glory to God forever

Creator God You gave me breath
So I could praise
Your great and matchless name
All my days all my days
So let my whole life be
A blazing offering
A life that shouts and sings
The greatness of our King

Take my life and let it be
All for You and for Your glory
Take my life and let it be Yours
Take my life and let it be
All for You and for Your glory
Take my life and let it be Yours

CCLI Song No. 5384338
© Worship Together Music

Unleash and Out of the Way

On By MarkIn UnleashLeave a comment

Today I’m sitting at NewSpring getting ready for Unleash. By getting ready, what I mean is I’m sitting in the offices trying not to get in the way. I was going to do an update on my blog, but Zac works in an environment that is way too fun. There are lot’s of people and activity as they are in fact preparing for the 3000 guests they’ll host tomorrow morning.  People are walking by in all the scurry of the day prepping for tomorrow, and here I sit at a desk while they glance over and go hhmmm.  So, I can’t process my thoughts for the blog. And I need something to do. So this is the blog I promised I’d never write. Pointless, other than letting anyone who reads this know that I’m alive and staying out of the way in Anderson.

We Need Him!

On By MarkIn Worship4 Comments

I remember when I was like 20, if I ever woke up in the middle of the night I thought, “cool, it’s 2 a.m., that means I have like 4 or 5 more hours to sleep”. Then I’d turn over and sleep soundly for another 4 or 5 hours.  It was like I got another night’s sleep.

I don’t know when that changed. But it changed.  Now, if I wake up at 2 a.m., I’m completely bummed.  Because I know there’s a good chance that’s it for the night. I’m going to lie there and watch the digits change on that clock sitting across the room.

This morning was one of those mornings. I have no idea why. I wasn’t anxious. I didn’t need the little boys’ room. I didn’t have coffee yesterday afternoon or evening.  I was just wide awake.

I got up and sat where I always sit.  Next to my Bible I had put my ipod, so I thought I’d find a soothing tune to read by, in an effort to calm myself and hopefully find a couple more hours of sleep.

I found Fernando Ortega and listened to several of his mellow tunes. He’s an awesome musician for your 2 a.m. needs.  Then came an old classic song that I just love, but we don’t really sing in today’s church.  “I need Thee, O I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee, O bless me now my Savior, I come to Thee.”  I grew up with the old King James, so I don’t mind the Thees and Thous.  Actually, I rather like the sound in this song.

You see, at 2:15 or so, I wasn’t especially worried, but I was awake and thinking.  As I heard this mellow tune, with that amazing voice…”every hour I need Thee”, I realized why I was up.  I think God wanted me to know that I NEED Him. Every hour.

I’m so blessed in my life. I have an amazing wife. I absolutely love our church family. God has graciously blessed me with wonderful people to work with at my office and throughout our ministry. It’s like God was saying to me in this moment…”please don’t forget this one very important thing…”

How are you doing today?  Busy? Overwhelmed? Enjoying His blessings?  Remember, along with me… “We Need Him…and yes, every hour.”