Author Archives: Mark
Expect the Best
“Take your umbrella – it may rain!” Most of us have heard a parent or spouse say that as we were on our way out the door. As a student, I sometimes ignored my mother when she suggested I take … Continue reading
Posted in Challenge, Encouragement, Expectation, Faith, Future, God's Will, Hebrews, Isaiah, New Beginning, New Year, Personal Growth, Preparation, Proverbs, Romans, Wisdom
Tagged Challenge, Expectation, Faith, Future, New Beginning, New Year, Preparation
19 Comments
Do You Know What’s Going On Around You?
At a class reunion I discovered that I have the dubious distinction of having more surgeries than anyone else in my senior class. For this accomplishment I received a yellow tee shirt with a reprint of the game “Operation” emblazoned … Continue reading
Posted in Challenge, Encouragement, Personal Growth, Psalms, Romans, Time Management
Tagged Being Teachable, God's Sovereignty, Hearing God's Voice, Humility, Prayer
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Too Busy for God?
Living next to the Big South Fork National Park was one of the rewards of working in eastern Tennessee. Whenever possible, my young son and I would explore this beautiful part of God’s creation. It seems the natural beauty made … Continue reading
Posted in 1 Samuel, Christmas, Encouragement, Personal Growth
Tagged 1 Samuel, Christmas
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Genius
I was slow to give in, but when I decided to go to an iPhone it wasn’t long before I was “all in.” I liked the phone so much that when I found a reconditioned outgoing model MacBook at an … Continue reading
Posted in Encouragement, Personal Growth, Proverbs, Success, Wisdom
Tagged Apple, Genius, Leadership, Mac, Steve Jobs, Success, Wisdom
1 Comment
Bitter Rivalries and Broken Relationships
What happens when you combine hearsay with presumption and a blend in some deep-seated animosity? You get an angry reaction – much like Clemson’s Dabo Swinney’s unfounded anger and rant against The University of South Carolina’s football program earlier this … Continue reading
Posted in Challenge, Church Health, Communication, Discipline, Dissension, Division, Family, Gossip, John, Personal Growth, Rumor, Slander
Tagged Church, Church Health, Communication, Dissension, Division, Gossip, Misunderstanding, Rumor, Slander, Unity
88 Comments
Grateful
What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Perhaps, like me I immediately think of the years my entire family has been able to gather together and enjoy a delicious meal and uninterrupted time with one another. While those memories are priceless, … Continue reading
Your Epitaph – What Would You Have it to Say?
God desires that we live our lives in such a way that the preacher won’t have to search for good things to say about us at our funeral. I heard the story of a man named Bill whose brother Will … Continue reading
Posted in Challenge, Death, Discipline, Encouragement, God's Will, Humor, Jude, Legacy, Malachi, Personal Growth, Preparing to Die, Reputation
Tagged Brevity of Life, Death, Preparing to Die, Reputation
35 Comments
Disciplined Drive
While in high school I had unusual drive to succeed in sports even if I was only average in the classroom. From one sport to the next, I was determined not only to make the team, but also make a … Continue reading
Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, Accomplishment, Personal Growth
Tagged Determination, Discipline, Endurance, Preparation, Sacrifice, Success, Training
39 Comments
The Healthy Church – Connected
When you hear the word, “church” what comes to your mind? Depending on your background it could be something positive or negative. Even so, is your understanding of the word “church” biblical? Does the word “church” mean the same thing … Continue reading
Posted in Church Growth, Church Health, John
Tagged Church, Church Growth, Church Health, Fellowship with God, Growth, Relationships, The True Vine
124 Comments
Developing Drive
At 7:45pm August 8, 2011, Diana Nyad dove into the water off the shores of Cuba on her second attempt to swim the 103-miles to the United States. A marathon swim in the ocean would be a monumental challenge for … Continue reading
Posted in 1 Thessalonians, Acts, Challenge, Personal Growth, Psalms
Tagged Determination, Diana Nyad, Dream, Goals, God's Call, God's Plan, Truett Cathy, Value
130 Comments