Category Archives: My Personal Journey

Updates on what Mark is doing, and how he is doing.

Peace from Stress

Olivia Taylor-Young wrote a moving tribute to “Silent Night” in yesterday’s Eugene Register-Guard. She movingly described the healing effects singing “Silent Night” has, and the almost mystical sense of unity that comes from singing the carol in multi-lingual situations. I … Continue reading

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Finding Grace While Feeling Pain

I just read a great Advent post reminding us to seek freedom for today’s residents of Bethlehem: Palestinians. The devotional on Luke 2:1-4 reminded me of the paradox of human sin and God’s grace. Joseph and Mary were forced to … Continue reading

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A Different View of the Advent Candle

I’m reading some of the entries for the Advent Tour Blog 2010. You can jump (and should jump — its worth it) to December 10’s entry right here. What I heard Jesus saying to me while reading the blog is … Continue reading

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Advent Blog

I’ve been looking for a blog that would keep me engaged Biblically with advent, and I found it here. A great blog with a Bible reading and devotional by a different blogger each day of December.

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Answers to Prayer

Last Thursday, my devotional plan brought me to Psalm 86:17, NLT: “Send me a sign of your favor.” Even though I thought it was a silly and self-centered prayer, I did pray that morning, “Lord, send me a sign of … Continue reading

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Psalm 90, Suffering & Wisdom

I read Psalm 90 this morning for devotions — what a depressing poem! Almost every verse is another poetic way of describing the misery of life. The one request that Moses (the author) makes is “Teach us to realize the … Continue reading

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Even Sea-monsters!

” You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves. You crushed the great sea monster. You scattered your enemies with your mighty arm (Psalm 89:9-10, NLT).” We probably have no way of feeling how terrifying the sea was to … Continue reading

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The Best Basis for Hope

Christian hope is not built on “hoping” something good will happen in the future. The power of our hope is its foundation on what God has done in the past and is doing right now. In my meditation this morning, … Continue reading

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Another Startling Economic Reality

Brandon J. O’Brien quotes Tom Sine who estimates that those born in the 1930s spent 30% of one income on a mortgage; those born in the 1980’s need 50% of two incomes to support buying a house. I remember that … Continue reading

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Still Looking . . . Still Believing . . . Now Trembling

Someone asked me today about my job search. I don’t have any realistic expectations of landing a ministry job before the first of the year. That realization this week re-focused my job search and surfaced my first real trepidation. The … Continue reading

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