Our new addition! Grant Edward

Good to golf with Tim carter my old youth leader

Kids on the train

Festival of the 40 watt light bulb

Last year my family and I went with some friends to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo. The lights are beautiful and the kids had a great time. As we were looking at the zoo map we noticed that there was a nativity scene with live animals. It was worded is such a way that we expected the whole thing would be live. I was excited for the kids to see it. So as we approached the area that the map said that the Nativity should have been, we were unable to find it. We looked and looked and finally in this tucked away corner of the zoo we found it. We had passed it once and but finally guessed that it might have been the building that we had just passed. As we went inside there it was, the whole building inside and out was  ONE 40 watt bulb. The star that was on top of this barn was not lit, heck nothing was lit, you couldn't hardly see anything inside or outside the barn. The nativity scene was that of some cheesy statues and live animals that could barely be scene. The display showing reason for Christmas was done half-way with cheesy statues that were lit by a 40 watt bulb by a place that spends hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions getting ready for the festival of lights. Yes I understand its called the Festival of lights with no promise of there being a nativity scene, but the reason for the season is to celebrate the birth of when God became flesh so salvation would be offered to mankind. A display of the Messiah, the King of Kings, the Savior of this world should not be done in such a way! One day Jesus will return and when he does the world will bow and call him holy and it will be lit by his own glory.

Here is a video my buddy is preaching called "Real" Check it out!

"REAL" series trailer from John Markum on Vimeo.

Am I Happy? Part 2

In Philippians 3:4-6 Paul is bragging . He is listing his accomplishments that he had. He was an extremely religious guy, born and bred Jew, following the law to the letter, doing everything he was supposed to do. He was a smashing success. But after all this he says "I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him". To sum it up Paul is saying that his great success of his life isn't worth manure, compared to the greatness of knowing Christ.

So what happened to Paul? Paul had it all and by the worlds standards he was set, but when he meet Christ everything changed. Please don't get the wrong idea and think that Christianity is anti-success. It's just that God's idea of success is different from the world's. For example Phil. 2:7-8 tells us that Jesus took on the form of a bondservant and that He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of the cross. So how was Jesus a success? He achieved true success by humbling himself and by serving others. Success for you might mean serving like Christ, suffering for Christ, but then being lifted up by God.

So let me sum up everything. God is not anti-success, but when you expect what the world views as success to make you happy you will be disappointed. There is a God shaped hole in your heart that only God can fill. If Jesus viewed true success as humbling Himself and being a servant to others, then we need to do the same. God bless!

Am I Happy? Part 1

Happiness means different things to different people. We might say that everyone is looking for happiness, but where do they look for it, and where will they find it? One area that we try to find happiness is in our relationships. We all want and need relationship, God made us that way! The problem that comes into to play when we base our happiness on relationships. We may do anything to feel accepted, popular or valuable so we can fit in. When we do this we are letting others define who you are and your decisions are based on the approval of others. Instead of God being first priority relationships take His place and that is idolatry. So what do we do if we have this problem?

First, we need to understand that our value doesn't come from what people say about us, but from God who made us in his image and loves us. Second, if you need for approval has led you into some bad behavior, that doesn't need to be the end of the story. The Bible says over and over again that if we confess our sins and turn to God he will restore us! 1 John 1:9

An Exciting Life

As exciting as Elijah's life was, his last day on earth was even more exciting. It appears that Elijah knew God would take him up to heaven by a whirlwind, and was making a last circuit of the cities where the prophets lived, saying his farewells. During this day Elisha followed him faithfully, anxiously awaiting this tremendous event.

Elisha followed him to Bethel, then Jericho, and finally to the Jordan River. It was after Elijah parted the waters of the Jordan with his mantle, that the horses and chariot of fire appeared and Elijah was caught up by a whirlwind into heaven.

We all know out last day on earth won't be as spectacular as Elijah's was, but what we know is that we can make out life on earth count God. We can be a faithful witness for God, and tell others about Christ. We can let the Lord use the experiences in our lives, and how the Lord helps us through them, to draw others to Christ.

What are you doing with your life? What would be said about you at your funeral? I have been to many funerals and the one thing that stuck out for me is that no one ever talked about the deceased's bank account, or his job, or all that she/he possessed. No, what they talked about this the influence of the deceased; the kindness they saw in him, the love for family they saw in her. They spoke about the generosity, the positive attitude and the encompassing strength and love for God of the person lying in the casket. Often, stories would be told of how the departed's personality would be entertaining, or serious, or exciting. Or stories would be told of how he or she make life better for those around them.

That's what matters. It is only those things that will endure. Use your life for God's glory. Elijah did- his life should challenge us to walk closer to the Lord.