Walking The Walk . . .

  " Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry." ~2 Timothy 4:11   When Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on the 1st missionary journey, at one point, Mark decided to leave.  It caused a rift between Paul and Barnabas.  When it came to the 2nd missionary journey, Barnabas wanted to take Mark again, but Paul did not.  Paul didn't feel they could rely on Mark because he had abandoned them in Pamphylia the first time around.  Paul and Barnabas parted ways, and Mark went with Barnabas. However, at some point later, Paul changed his mind about Mark.  As we can see in 2 Timothy 4:11.  He realized that maybe his first impression was wrong about Mark, and Mark was helpful in his ministry. It is so important in life to remain open to giving others a 2nd chance.   Once we form an opinion about somebody, sometimes it’s very challenging to change it.   It takes a lot to convince us that a person has changed.   In fact, it takes

" Lord , I know that people’s lives are not their own it is not for them to direct their steps." ~Jeremiah 10:23 I've been preaching a series over the last several weeks on God's Guidance. Seeking God's Guidance.  Trusting God's Guidance.  Testing God's Guidance.  You get the idea.  But it has me thinking a lot about this topic obviously. I'm new to preaching.  I've been at it about eighteen months in total.  I started on Sunday mornings once a quarter and "as needed" when our senior pastor was out of town.  The church approved for me to start a mid-week service, and I deliver a message every Wednesday night at what we call "The ReCharge."  We've been doing that weekly service for about nine months now.  Coming up soon, I'm going to be providing a Sunday message for a Chinese church ministry each month--this church wants to have one message in English each month.  I'm looking forward to that! I got the call to minis

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   ~Matthew 6: 19-21 Jesus expects us to decide who our master is.   He gives us two choices. Money, accumulating stuff, and earthly treasure can be your master.   We can decide to chase the material things this world offers.   We can make it our focus in life to accumulate things.   Many people do.   We can determine the purpose of life is to have more stuff than anybody else.   That can be our priority.     Or we can serve the Lord.   We can serve the Lord and make accumulating treasures in heaven our goal.   We can chase the things of God.   We can pursue a holy life.   We can invest ourselves in things that will make a difference for all eternity. Jesus tells us this is our