New ADDRESS!

Update whatever you need to update, because markedchange's new home is now aMarkedChange.com

Enjoyed my time here on blogspot, but wanted my own home...so I have moved on!

A Blessing...

“Sometimes God has us on a long journey, trudging uphill. We can only see the dirt path with no way to see over the hill to the destination. Perhaps if we saw where we were going, we would be planning what we would do when we got there: where we would visit, sites to see, places to eat. We would completely overlook the journey. We would miss the sites along the way, the sunsets and sunrises, because we would be so consumed with the final arrival.

I challenge you to enjoy the walk you're on, saturate yourself in the experience, remember where you are walking through and encourage other stragglers on the way. Because over that hill is something far more wonderful than you can imagine. This is your journey, your walk, your story, only you can choose how you handle the “lay-overs.” God has never let you down and he's not going to start today.”

That message was written on the inside of a card and left on my car for me to find. On a day where my most earnest prayers were lifted up and trust was getting tougher and tougher, I received this. On a day where I prayed "If success to you God means you want me to be homeless and glorify you that way, I will be homeless. I only want what you want," and I actually meant it... this shows up.

Thank you so much to whoever it was that wrote that on a card and placed it on my car. Thank you for that blessing and encouragement. I can never thank you enough.

Dear Reader,

I hope those words will also speak to your heart and you will click off my blog knowing that God has never let you down and he's NOT going to start today. Make it a priority to remind someone of that today.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Genuine Passion

Yesterday, I went to Whole Foods to do some reading. As I was just getting settled in my book, I noticed a young guy sitting across from me. He was staring at everyone in the room with an inquisitive look on his face. I shrugged it off and continued reading and then the phone conversations started.

"I've got to tell you about this thing that has completely changed my life," he said quite loudly. "This has been such a blessing to me and I can't wait to share it with everyone. It makes me feel so good that I can help people completely change their life." At this point, he had my interest. Was I about to hear someone's testimony right there in Whole Foods?

He went on to explain how amazing this life change has been and that if they are ready he will reveal to them what the secret is. Apparently the person on the other end of the phone wasn't quite ready so instead he made a lunch appointment with the person for later in the week.

I noticed that he had a jug full of water with him. The only other person I have seen carrying a milk jug full of water was body builders. "Mark, hey it's Brian. It's been a long time! How ya been?" He started his next conversation. This went on for quite sometime until he found someone who wanted to know the secret right then and there over the phone.

"If you are really ready to hear it, I will tell you the secret. You just stop me when you have to go, cause I can talk about this all day long. Are you ready? You sure? Ok... it's.... water. Yep. Water." He went on to explain that drinking this water has healed him and has given him this unexplainable joy. There's this machine that he bought that converts regular water into this new water that heals all kinds of disabilities. He says it's on the cutting edge and that soon it will spread like wildfire.

At this point I realized that this is probably a pyramid scheme and laughed to myself. I was pretty sure that once you tried out the miracle water and felt better that the next step was to purchase the expensive machine and then go and try to sell others the machine and the person who sold to you gets a percentage of all the machines you sell, etc.

Then it hit me. This person believed in his product. He couldn't wait to tell people. He took the product with him wherever he went. I'm sure he faced some apprehension about telling someone that "water" will heal their pain and give them joy, but he did it anyway. He called his product his "blessing."

Now, I am not advocating we treat the saving grace of Jesus as a product. I realize that money probably fueled this man's passion about water, but the way he spoke about it broke my heart.

I know unspeakable joy. I know true healing power. I know a love that can't be put into words. And there I sit. Quietly and to myself. Not sharing the blessing that changed my life with anyone.

My "jug of water" goes with me everywhere also. It's up to me if I decide to share it.

Add in a dash of hope

Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven. - Jesus Calling



“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.”
Romans 12:12

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us
through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary.”
Hebrews 6:19


What would happen if we lost hope? The “golden cord” connecting you to heaven becomes loose as you let go of your end. Your head lowers and the feet that once marched bravely ahead begin to barely move. Progress is at a standstill. The road you are on is rocky and uneven. If you were able to lift your sunken head to look around you would see a path that is full of detours, mountains, valleys and roadblocks.

If you have ever felt that way remember that cord of hope. It's still in your hands. Grip it. Pull it towards you. Stretch the cord tight. The road around you will remain rocky and uneven. There will still be detours, mountains, valleys and roadblocks, but you will have hope. Hope in the creator of the world. The one who loved you so much he allowed his only Son to die for you. Enough said.

Thankfulness = Trust

There are many ways to open a door, but a grateful attitude is one of the most effective. Learn the art of giving thankfulness in all circumstances. It will cushion the impact of trials when they come against you. - Jesus Calling 7/24/09

“Be thankful in all circumstance, for this is God's will for you who
belong to Christ Jesus.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

There's something soothing about being thankful about something. A feeling of gratitude towards someone who has blessed you. But do we think about being thankful as a way to open up a door? Showing thankfulness to someone adds depth to a friendship/relationship. It adds trust. Trust that might be needed in future circumstances. It apparently works the same way with God. Showing gratitude towards God increases trust and when you are faced with a situation that requires a lot of trust, you will be thankful again that the impact of the trial fell on a mound full of trust instead of a crater full of doubt.

Ironing Part 2

Not sure I want to post this...

I hope my future wife doesn't read my blog, whoever she is...

I think I learned how to iron...

Among Us.

This past Saturday, at Cross Point Community, we had what we call "Serving Saturday." A chance for us to say "thanks" to the surrounding community by serving their needs, whatever they may be. Over 450 people showed up to help. An amazing day where God's love was shown to many many people.

As I looked around at everyone helping, I couldn't help but wonder what their own personal needs were. I was recently reminded that the person serving next to you might just be in need of a blessing themselves...

As I opened the storage building in Louisville, KY, I was floored. It was full. We loaded up every item in the building into the U-Haul and drove back to Nashville.

As I opened up the apartment door in Nashville, I was floored. It was empty. She had been sleeping on the carpet with a pillow and blanket... for 6 months.

She had showed up for every community group meeting and shared many things about herself. You would have never guessed that all she basically had was a roof over her head. Couldn't afford to hire movers to bring her stuff to Nashville.

As I watched 12 people from our community group use a Friday night to help unload the U-Haul, I was floored. The girls had started unpacking her dishes and were washing them all and finding a home for them. The guys were busy doing their best interior design impersonation, moving furniture around for the best "look."

This is what Jesus meant by "loving one another." Serving each other's needs by giving them your time and love.

As I left that night, I was floored. I had just experienced a community of believers showing selfless love towards one "among us." Let me never forget to bless those "among us."