THANKFUL

We had an awesome service this morning! We had loads of guests. Dedicated 5 children, and gave away 3 Wii systems and 5 video iPod Nanos! We had a blast talking about the free gift of salvation through Jesus....then gave away free gifts!

I love DCC and am so grateful to God for the faithful people who set up and tear down each week and teach and love kids, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. The list of functions these awesome people fulfill is long and they rise to the occasion with excellence each and every week. I am blessed to be a part of them!

This is what makes a church great: faithful people who are excited to do whatever it takes to reach people with the true message of Jesus!

MTC!
(maketodaycount)
Mark

BALANCING ACT

I finished two books this week that were at polar ends of the spectrum,but yet the same. The similar trait was that they drove home one consistent them: communicating well. They were totally opposite of each other in that one was from a business guru and the other from a pastor.

The business book was extremely enjoyable and motivating. The one from the pastor was extremely challenging and motivating as well. It all made me think about the balancing act that believers must accomplish to succeed in business and in faith.

Can you balance faith and business and succeed?

The one author would say 'no way'! Faith is for the weak. It is all up to you. You have to make it happen. Fight back! Don't take 'no' for an answer. It's all about the bottom line...regardless of how we get there!

There are business practices that dilute one's faith and testimony. There are biblical principles that challenge the 'wheelings and dealings' of some business ventures. Balancing between success in business and success with faith should not be viewed separately but as coinciding principles.

Who do you know that has done exceptionally well in business without compromising their faith and devotion to biblical principles?

I have some people that I know personally that have succeeded magnificently in business without compromising their faith. They have not wavered on being as prudent a business mind as possible. They have been aggressive. They have done well. Yet, to a person, they are immensely respected for their faith and business acumen.

Guys, hurry up!!! You only a couple days left!!

MTC!
Mark

RUTSVILLE

Ever been in the hills and gotten stuck in a rut? Not fun and not so cool. Ruts can get deep and can hold you fast. Without a winch and something to tie onto or chains or another vehicle to pull you out, you might be there awhile. Ruts are inevitible, but they don't have to dictate or direct how we live our lives.

We're talking about how, as we get older, we tend to develop ruts in our lives. Now, for sake of discussion, let's define rut.

For our purposes a rut will be any habit or thing we do that really doesn't add anything to our life or the lives of others. "Why do we drive this way every time?" "Why do you order the same thing every time?" "Why do you..........?" "Why do I...." Usually the answer, if we were to be honest, would be that we are in a rut.

One sure fire way to get yourself out of a rut and to experience a new twist in thinking and doing, is to learn something brand new!

Right now I'm learning a new software program. The last time I had to learn a new program was 13 years ago...a very intense music program that I have used exclusively. Learning that was a brain bender, but wow, what a great tool for composing and creating charts, etc.

This new program is not that intense at all, but nonetheless, new vernacular, new protocols, new stuff that I never knew and now I am expanding my thinker and it is fun! It has bumped me out of the rut of sameness.

Are you learning anything new that will enhance your life and the lives of others around you? It doesn't have to be a new software program or new course at the university, but it might be something like, picking up the trade of talking to your neighbors or talking with your kids or playing games with the family and learning how to build them up through giving them your time.

Whatever it is, you have a ton of stuff in you that is GREAT that has yet to be experienced. My guess, is that it's because we stay in the rut and never get out of it. Venture out of the ruts of life and learn something new! You can do it!!!!

MTC!
Mark

HERE WE GO!!!

GENTLEMEN......START YOUR ENGINES!!!!!!

Here we go guys, depending on when you open presents, you are down to a max of six days!!!

We finished up our shopping, mostly, on Sunday afternoon and into the night! How is it that one can hike all over the woods or mountains and not be too tired, but a guy spends six hours at the mall and is ready for medical help??????

I must tell you, I had a blast! Having all ladies in my home, shopping is one thing that is they totally love to do. And on Sunday I really had a good time. The reason is that it reminded me of how we would make a big deal out of Christmas shopping when I was a little boy. Dad, four brothers, and mom would pile into he Oldsmobile 98 and make short time of the drive from Arlington to Southcenter. We'd hit the mall, synchronize our watches, pick a time and a place to meet up again (usually two to three hours later), send mom on her way and then we boys would hang with dad and hit: Orange Julius, See's Candies, and as many other "Hey, let's try one of those..." kind of establishments!!!!

The bottom line is just being together and having fun with each other and making a special time out of this most special time of the year! We did it as little boys and now I'm doing it decades later with my kids and having a blast!

We will do it all again when we take everything back!!!!!

Have a great day!

MTC!
Mark

YOUR NUMBER'S UP!

Talked to a great friend today in Cali. He was telling me about a situation that happened with one of his relatives.

It just so happened that his relative went to a funeral, a christian funeral, and was really challenged to do better with his life. Everyone noticed it at work the next day. A few days later he dropped dead. Choked while eating.

Do you find the funeral deal ironic or a weird coincidence or providential? Regardless of how any of us see it, his number came up and that was it.

The great thing is that he had an opportunity to contemplate life and think about the bigger picture. I believe the funeral got his attention.

What if your response after you attend a funeral? I'd love to hear about it.

MTC!
Mark

ARE YOU DONE YET?

If you are, you are in the minority, but you would be deserving a medal!

I'm not and I along with the hordes of other humans will be doing the mad dash to the finish line of Christmas shopping. Some things never change.

One thing that I am thinking about this Christmas more than ever before is the plight of all of these people who are facing such nightmarish conditions with the flooding. Its hard for me to focus on gifts when I see the news each night and people are demolishing their homes to rebuild. I have way too much stuff!

I am looking into what our family can do to help.

MTC!
Mark

TIME AND TENACITY

Both are not guaranteed. Both are not permanent.

In both cases, a strong case could be made that much of it is mental. An attitude. A desire or lack thereof. Certainly not all of it boils down to the cranium side of things. There are other factors that weigh in pretty heavy.

We've all heard or read about the terrific stories of people who have risen through adversity and neglect to make go from loser to winner. And of course we have heard or read the stories of the people who went from having it all to having nothing and never turned it back around.

For me two words come to my mind as it relates to the subject of winning and losing: time and tenacity. It takes time and tenacity to become a winner/achiever/to go from nothing to something. Once you are there it takes more time and more tenacity to stay there.

Losing takes time as well and a certain amount of tenacity; either utilized or under-utilized.

I believe that every person was designed to be a winner, an achiever, a person of honor. It is up to us and how much time and tenacity we put into life, that will determine whether or not we win or lose. Attitudes. Family. Character. How we treat people who can't do a thing for us. These are things to win at! These can be passed on and grow in our children. Cars. Homes. Vacations. Status. Climbing the ladder of life. These, fade or just flat wear out.

Here's a thought for you: what is currently consuming your time and tenacity and are you fulfilled in that?

Have a great day!

MTC!
mac