DUDE!

I have always viewed running as something to be done in short bursts, never for a long period of time. However, as we get older there comes the need to get in shape and stay in some semblance of shape, thus running seems like a necessary evil kind of thing.

So, my friend Greg was discussing with me his high cholesterol yesterday and we were talking about it and he brought up the horrific question: "Do you run?". The conversation then began to include our wives and before you know it we decided that I should join him on his daily run and it would be a good thing.

Tell, me, what good can come out of a three mile run when one has not run for over three years?

After the first hundred yards I had already hit the wall! Yikes.

We pressed on. The talking got less and less. The breathing became much more labored and then about a mile and a half into it we hit the first hill. The running turned into a walk up the last little bit of the hill. Yikes!!!

All I could get out of my mouth was, "Dude!"

So, I know this will be good for me and I know my body needs the work and I know that this will be a challenge, but why do I hate it so much??? It's like practicing scales in every modality and working on the arpeggios...not glamorous, but it sure pays off when you actually have to play them in a piece!!

It's like anything else in life: whenever there are things that need work in my life, it takes focus, discipline, a willingness to say "I need to improve" and then just plain starting the process.

So, here we go. Another three miles tomorrow and the next day and the next. By week's end I should be back down to 125 pounds!!!!

MTC!
mac

SHARED BIRTHDAYS

I share the same birthday as my nephew. The only difference in the date is the year...like 42 of them! Yikes!! He just turned 3...OK! Put the calculator away!

What a trip it is to consider that we share the exact same birthday! We celebrated his and as I was watching him open his presents, I couldn't help but wonder about what his world will look like in 42 years. What will he pursue educationally, vocationally, etc. Right now he is into cars, maybe he will stick with that motif. The funny thing about it is that the Matchbox cars still look as hip and fun as they did when I was playing with them...and the dinasours!

All I know is that he got way more cool stuff than I ever did at age 3 and I'm lodging a formal complaint with my parents as of right now!

MTC!
mac

FEAR

Some would argue that it is an emotional response to a percieved threat. Some would say it is a sign of weakness. Others would say you should never trust it.

My heart goes out to the family members of the crew that was lost up in the Bering Sea this past week. The skipper had some reservations (fear) about piloting the Ranger. Have you seen this in the news?

Fear can save us.

Our brains have the ability to recall and use fear to keep us from getting hurt or being hurt again. A hot stove. A rattlesnake. People. You get the point. The amygdala, hypothalamus, ventral medial prefrontal cortex, all of these play a part in recall and reinforcement.

Fear can hinder us.

When we don't step out and take advantage of an opportunity. When we shrink back. When we hide behind. These times in life may call for us to have faith instead of fear. Courage is not the size of your heart, but actually a part of our brain that over-rides our fear.

God is big on faith. God uses fear to keep us from harm. God likes it when we put our faith in Him.

So, what do you do when you are fearful? Determine the source. Define it's reality or non-reality. Ask God for direction. Then make a decision based on that and move forward.

Things might look bleak or you may have lost it all, but don't let fear keep you from moving forward.

MTC!
Mark

WHERE ARE WE??

Is this Denver? How about Bismark? Moosejaw?

We are just a few days away from April 1 and we have 5 inches of snow at our house! I would feel better if it was April 1 and chalk it up as a real cruel joke!! This is crazy!!

Karen received a text from one of our friends in Cali on Easter Sunday that said it was pushing 80 at their place!! Not nice! Bizarre! This is Seattle not Minot!!

On the other hand, it is absolutely beautiful. It has this quieting affect and I love how it blankets everything and puts a certain perfect look to everything.

Even still, I would love for it to be a balmy 60! Is that being greedy? Is that asking too much? OK, let's do 75!!!!

Have a great day and don't get in an accident!

MTC!
mac

KUDOS TO CHILDREN'S ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL!

I went and visited my little buddy yesterday at Children's. He had a little surgical procedure done. He is an amazing little guy!! He was in surgery for an hour and a half and when the nurses wheeled him into the room where his parents and I were waiting, this little seven year old gave a thumbs up!!!!! What a stud!! When I grow up, I want to be just like him!!! He really is an amazing little boy!

Here's the kudos part: the nurses and workers were so wonderful! They were cheery and positive, highly interactive, talkable, and had wonderful senses of humor! Talk about making what could be a difficult place (if you want an attitude adjustment in your life, go to Children's and take a walk down a hallway and see what these little kids and families are having to deal with in their personal lives and you will get over yourself in a HURRY!) and turning it into a positive place...I was impressed!

So to my dear friends Steve and Denise and C, you guys hang in there! You are the best.

And to everyone and Children's, thank you for doing such an awesome job!!! Oh, and to our friend Nurse B., next time please lower the telescoping I.V. holder...this is why it is telescoping...so you don't have to stand on the bed!!!! You were hilarious!

MTC!
Mark

You Are All Heroes!!!!

What a great day yesterday was!!! I just want to thank every person who worked so hard to make Easter Sunday a huge success!! Every children's area worker, every musician, every Guest Services volunteer, every person parking cars in the rain!! To everybody who brought Easter eggs and more eggs!!! You are all heroes!!

I had a great time watching the 3 and 4 year olds go down their hallway for their Easter egg hunt!! There were so many eggs...it was like egg heaven. One little girl, only picked up pink eggs!!! I loved it!!

What a powerful vibe to see kids having so much fun and parents laughing and everybody having a great time! Perfect!!

Design is filled with phenomenal people that continue to go over the top!! Everyone of you is a hero in my book!!!! Way to go!

MTC!
Mark

FLOATING DOCKS, EASTER SETS, AND MUD GOLFING

Yesterday we talked about 'encouragment' and how it really doesn't cost us anything, yet how motivating it can be to receive and even to give!

Then my phone rang.

I didn't recognize the number, but after answering it, I recognized the voice! I hadn't talked to this friend of mine for probably 10 years or more and his second sentence to me was...

"I've been reading your blog and you need an editor!"

Thanks for the encouragement!!

We had a good laugh! We are hooking up today to grab a burger and get caught up on tons of stuff!

The title above relates to goofball things that we did before we were married and well, should have got in trouble for it, but by the grace of God we didn't!

Like tearing down the whole Easter production set and putting it up in the backyard of one of the pastors who was on vacation!

Playing golf at Jackson in Seattle in the rain and mud and almost getting one of our friends in some major trouble with the group in front of us...like egging him on to swing away! Needless to say if the ball had hit the dude, it would have left a nasty mark!!

The time he untied the dock we were fishing on and the wind pushed us out into the middle of the lake. The resort owner pulled up hours later in his boat apologizing for the instability of the dock and that the storm must have loosened it. Yea, right!!!!!

That's enough for now!

MTC!

COSTS YOU NOTHING

ENCOURAGEMENT.

Recieving can make the difference between success and failure; the difference between pressing on and passing; the edge in wining and losing.

Giving it costs you nothing.

Why is it that so many people have a hard time giving encouragement? Their past? Their present? Themselves? Encouragement makes everyone of us feel appreciated and loved and when we feel good we do good and when we do good we feel good so why don't more people give something of such great value when the price is so right?

Kids are really something here. When they receive encouragement from someone they look up to (and that is the key...you may feel they do not look up to you, but you would be shocked to realize that they most likely do), they get a bit shy and nervous and excited and then it hits them...'Hey! Wait a minute! I just did something that went good! I was just told I did good! My coach/dad/mom/teacher/neighbor/grandparent/aunt/uncle/friend just said I CAN be or do and I believe them!!!!!!!" Their confidence soars. Their face can't contain their smile. At that moment they are world changers!!!!

Isn't that what we want?

How about your fellow work compatriots? Spouse? Friends? We are all just like kids inside. We crave for someone to encourage us and help us excel and succeed.

The true encouragers see what someone CAN BECOME. When you get someone in your life like that, you are truly blessed.

Maybe you need to give more out today than you receive. And maybe you need to receive more than you give, today. But in anycase I'm here to tell you this:

YOU ARE UNIQUELY CREATED. YOU ARE AN ORIGINAL. YOU POSSESS AND HAVE INSIDE OF YOU TRAITS AND ABILITIES THAT YOU WERE DESIGNED TO USE AND APLPLY FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS, AND BY SO DOING ACHIEVE GREAT PERSONAL SUCCESS. YOU ARE AMAZING! YOU ARE TALENTED! LET THOSE ABILITIES AND TALENTS BE USED TO THEIR MAXIMUM TODAY AND EVERYDAY. I TOTALLY BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT! YOU CAN MAKE IT! DON'T STOP NOW! YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT!!

Now, go for it and encourage someone near you!

MTC!
Mark

COMPANY

I'm not a political activist, but I must say, watching and listening to this Obama deal with his pastor has really been interesting. I know that if you really want to get people fired up either talk about politics or religion (of which I'm no expert on either...I propose relationship over religion anyway!!).

There is a great verse in the bible that says: "Bad people can make those who want to live good become bad."

I'm not saying one thing about either of the aforementioned individuals, but the truth is this: there are times we are known by whom we hang with!!

Here are some random questions:

Who you hangin' with?
Do you know what they stand for?
Are they a person of good character?
Do you even care?
Do they promote or demote good character in you?
Define character?



MTC!
mac

GOOD TIMES!

We had our new Community Life Group begin last night! What a blast! I got to know some people better than if I only said 'hi' to them at church. I never used to like the small group setting before!

I love it now!

Why the change?

Well, in total honesty versus lying to your face, I was just too selfish before! Yep!! Selfish. Who's going to be there? Will I be able to hang out with only those I know really well and like? Etc. And quite frankly, it was based upon insecurity.

A few years back I noticed that everytime I didn't want to go to a function where it was a smaller group setting, I would come back revved up, excited. I'd had a ball even though I didn't want to go!!

The shift for me was in recognizing that I truly do love meeting new people and getting to know them: what they do, where they have lived, what they like, etc. I realized that for me, I get great satisfaction in just plain talking with people!

The other element that shifted was the realization that for me to truly enjoy people, I needed to focus on them and not me, myself, and I! The tri-polar focus needed to go!!!

Once I was able to square these things up in my life, I really love the small group dealio! Besides, like I found out yesterday, Mathias is a great cook!!!! Dude, the shrimp things flat out rocked!!!!! I met Gwen who actually knows a bunch of people that my wife knows. Gwen and my wife had never bet before. I learned that Chris says that if I ever get a chance to go to Egypt and check out the pyramids and such, that it is a trip of a lifetime!

I had a total blast!!

Good times!

MTC!
Mark

BANANA BREAD

My wife makes the best banana bread in the world!!!

I look forward to the bananas turning nasty, because I know I'm going to get the chance to 'od' on some fresh banana bread with melted butter!!!! I know my heart freaks out when it sees all the butter, but oh my word!!

Guess what I'm eating right now?!!

Yep! Just took it out of the oven. This is livin'!

My dad alwasy says that line when he his enjoying life. It might be at a sporting event or hunting or just hangin' out with his sons and grandkids.

Tomorrow we are talking about taking time to live...looking at how Jesus did that the week He was killed. Interesting stuff.

Well, my slice of banana bread is gone and I need more!

This is livin'!

MTC!
Mark

THE ENDING IS THE BEGINNING

Hey, sorry for the 'non-blog' the past few days.

Last night we had our final game of the basketball season. The mighty Lady Barricudas played marvelously!!! The improvement in all of the girls was really fantastic! Most of our girls had never played organized basketball before and to see them grow in their understanding of the sport was really fun.

The best part of coaching this age group is that these young ladies are competitive and sweet at the same time. They are great kids. They are moving from an ending to a beginning.

Some of them will go on and try out for their Junior High team next year and realize for the first time in their life, that not everybody makes the team. It's interesting. We put such a huge focus on 'making the team', 'being at the top'. Why don't we look at it as a new beginning if we don't fall into that category of 'making it'?

Success is not defined in a moment; when a person is at the pinnacle of their sport or business or craft. Peyton Manning wasn't a success when he finally won the Super Bowl nor was his kid brother a success when he won the Super Bowl. No, those two boys were a success long before that singular moment.

Success is when we do that which is required of us in the moment to achieve our peak performance at that moment. Getting up every morning and going to work. Loving your spouse. Being in the place you know you should be even when you might wish you were somewhere else. Giving your spouse a break from the kids when you know he/she is ready to explode. Success is defined and determined long before the lights and cameras and confetti and bulging bank accounts.

So, when you are faced with an area in your life that comes to an end, don't view it as the end, but rather as a course adjustment and a new beginning on your pursuit of achieving greater influence in your life. You may not make the Junior High basketball team, but you might just be on your new path of becoming a wonderful nurse or civic leader or pastor or mom or dad or general or president or doctor!

It's all just getting started!!!

MTC!
Mark

WHAT A GREAT MORNING!

This morning was a real special deal! Out of the blue, a couple from Sacramento that are some of the finest people in the world walked in while we were doing a sound check and getting ready for the morning service. Randy and Nancy were a vital part of the ministry we were involved at in California and they were up paying a visit to their son on his 25th birthday. What a treat!! We laughed and had a great time getting caught up. What great people!!

There was another couple from Cali that was in the service as well. Adam and Jessie are a young couple that are just as fantastic. What great people they are. We were able to have lunch with them and it was a blast just hanging out and laughing and getting caught up as well.

This is what makes the church, the body of Christ, so awesome!!!! Most people think church is like a drag and a drudgery. let me tell you this: the people are the church and the church is made up of fantastic people. People who will do anything for you with all the right reasons and the whole time desiring to do it for God!

As was the case today, the friends you make in church are some of the finest people in the world, and wheny they pop in on you, it makes for a great morning!!!

Thanks Randy and Nancy and Adam and Jessie for making today totally sweet!!!!!

We love you guys!!!!

MTC!
Mark

OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES

Ever notice how sometimes our kids have some great input for us!

I'll never forget a few years back when watching a UW football game at our home in California, the refs blew a call. I exploded!! The call swung the game and I was not happy! My daughter looked at me and told me that I needed to get myself under control! I treated her like one of the refs and she went and told mom!!!!

The tv was turned off. I was in deep water and felt horrible that I had 'barked' at my daughter like I did. No amount of discussion with my wife and the blown call would allow her to see it my way.

Dog houses are very uncomfortable.

Our kids can help us see things in our lives if we will allow them to talk to us and if we allow them to talk openly with us. Having a discussion with our kids on stuff we mess up on is really quite good. My oldest daughter told me of something today that I needed to work on. She is 100% correct.

Now, I can get all defensive and treat her like a child and take on the macho role of man and dad, but that's not good. She has great insight and I need to listen. She is not being critical. She is not being mean. She is just calling it like she sees it and let me tell you, she'd make a great PAC-10 official!!!!!!

So, let your kids tell you and show you where your weak links are. Let your spouse tell you as well...I appreciate it when mine does and besides they live with us and know us best.

MTC!
Mark

HOME SWEET HOME

I flew in last night after being gone for four days and I could not wait to get home! I couldn't wait to see my wife and two daughters. We'd been texting and emailing all week and talking on the phone, but I truly couldn't wait to get home.

You get the motif: I love home! I'm a softy. I love being with my family. It's my most favorite thing in life!

I'm a very wealthy man BECAUSE the house I live in is a home and a place of refuge and safety and love and warmth and laughter and fun!

As I came through the door, I heard my daughters laughing and Kailee was being really loud while her older sister was laughing at her. Happens all the time. What a great sound to come home to! No tension. No stress. No off doing their own thing. Hangin' out together and laughing!!!!

How's your home? Maybe you don't have a family. Maybe you live alone. That's cool, but do you have a home? Is it a place of safety and security, a place of happiness and light?

I've been thinking alot about homes and families who have a house, some excessively amazing houses, but don't have a place of laughter and love. I am praying that God helps me help them!

MTC!
Mark

RECONNECT

I have been in Springfield, MO for the past three days. I made some new friends and reconnected with others. It's been a great time.

Last evening I was able to spend a few minutes re-connecting with one of my previous bosses. A great man. An encourager. A man pursuing a life that totally pleases God. We had some great laughs and remembered some crazy times.

Staying connected in life as we all move through it, can become a tedious task. However, I'm reminded once again of the power of friendships and relationships that build us up. We need each other. We can't do life alone. We were designed and hard wired for relationship.

I have one more detail before my flight leaves and it is a horrible chore: I'm on my way to Bass Pro Shop! I may miss my flight!!!!!

MTC!
Mark

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!

OK, so I'm not where paradise is. My definition of that would be Hawaii. So I guess Springfield, MO ain't dat! However, it has been a great couple of days.

I'm attending a prayer conference and has been excellent! Meeting some new friends and really getting a brutal wake up call personally. The brutal wake up is this, it's kinda one of those 'duh' moments, where you've known it for quite some time, but now you are in the middle of it and it really exposes the area of personal deficiancy. Here it is, the personal 'duh' moment: I just don't pray enough.

I know how to pray. I know that prayer changes things. I know that there are many things in life that only happen when righteous people pray and a righteous God is moved and does what He has been wanting to do along...He's just been waiting for us.

As I type this I've got my iTunes pumping and EVERLASTING GOD is playing "...as we wait upon the Lord..." That is a key component in prayer that I have not been doing enough of. I need to wait. Wait in God's presence. Wait for His voice and direction. It's not rocket science and it's not mystical. It's just that we make it that way.

MTC!
mac

p.s. No snow angels yesterday...sorry! I did scare the people on the bus however, by greeting them all in a really loud way!!! And yes, our shuttle bus is the short one! How fitting!!!

FREEZING!

I'm freezing!!!

Yesterday I flew into Springfield, MO for some meetings and it snowed overnight. I like snow, but this is the Midwest blowing, snowing, windchill in the stupid range, hands drying out, nose running kinda stuff!

HOWEVER: these people back here, you gotta love 'em. They drive in it like it's nothing. I'm looking at a very busy intersection right now and tons of people are out doing there thang! No hassles. No crashes. No worries!

Here's the deal, for all of my complaining, I really do love this kind of weather. The snow is dry and you CAN drive in it because it is FLAT! Unlike the Pacific NW where everybody lives on a hill or someplace that is going to get you sideways.

So, here is the deal: making the best, and I mean making a party, out of situations that might get some people uptight is how we should live. So, I'm gonna drink some more hot coffee. Get to my meetings and I'm gonna love this wind and weather! Who knows, I might even make a snow angel or two!!! Now that's a party!!

Party on dude!

MTC!
mac

STOKED!

What an awesome day!!!!! The sun was out! I was able to toss the softball around with my daughter and didn't even need a coat!!! Here is another reason I'm totally fired up: we have some really awesome and amazing people that are coming to church.....like every single one of them!!!! And the craziest part of it all is this: Prior October 21, 2007 I that most of them even existed! That is the beauty of planting a church!

Meeting new people and hearing that people are encouraged and challenged and to see them come back and bring their friends, is just plain incredible!!!! What a blast!!!!

I love meeting new people and seeing them open their life up to the grand design God has for their life. Like a new guy that has been coming for the past couple of weeks and saying 'this is just what have been needing.' Like the people who's kids love coming and aren't in any hurry to leave. Or like the new high schoolers who have been coming and wanting to know what 'following Jesus' is all about. I'm sorry, but you can't beat the vibe of that! Totally stoking!!!!

God's way of living is over the top....it's overflowing...uncontainable. And when people sink their teeth into the reality that God is for them, well, it just plain stokes them up! They get stoked! I get stoked!!! Instant combustion baby!!!!!!

So, I'm jazzed about the awesome things God is doing at Design! He wants to do it everywhere. God is into people. It was His idea!

Get stoked about a God who loves you and cares about you and has your best interest at heart. He wants you to have a life that will get you stoked!!!! Over-the-top living!

MTC!
Mark