Comments on: a place for rest and grief

By: jeff

jeff — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:10 +0000

I’ve been through this and you’re right to identify that there are things under the surface. The set of differences is unique (to some extent anyway) for everyone. Your pie chart as regards this issue will look much different in 6 days, 6 months, 6 years.

One thing I’ve learned: Be absolutely un-edited in the way you talk to God about this. Anger, fear, relief, fear, promise, fear. Don’t do any theological blinking when you read David’s Psalms (i.e. that-was-then-this-is-now dispensational whatever). This was exactly what he was doing. (Check 55. D was wicked pissed and went straight to God with it.)

Ongoing confession that we are wrong without Christ is more to the point I think that reciting the bad things we’ve done. The latter is a servant of the former.

The hardest thing to grab onto when crap happens is the reality that you’re ok even when circumstances scream that you’re not.

God reigns. Have a great time in desert. I have, even though I didn’t always (ok, usually) know it at the time. As a good friend of mine says, the best is yet to come.

By: Kevin Manning

Kevin Manning — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:10:24 +0000

Hey bro…blessing to you and many prayers on your behalf will be made during this unique time in your journey. enjoy the silence

By: Tammy

Tammy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:42:56 +0000

Welcome back! I only heard about your job loss yesterday – I feel very out of the loop. I wondered why you weren’t coming to Vancouver. I have mssed your blog – especialy the book reviews – and pray God you will hear God’s voice and follow over the next few months.

By: Lise

Lise — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:04:54 +0000

Mark,

I found your blog site via Ed’s blog; clicked on it because I was interested in the the title of your post (a place for rest and grief). I’m a therapist, so my radar always goes out for anything with those two words. Anyway, I was compelled to respond when I read that you’d been laid off; I have listened to a couple of your sermons at JCC so kind of know your persona and words via sermons. Blessings to you. I hope the time in solitude was wonderful and that your “homework” proved fruitful.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:01:29 +0000

Hey, there’s a picture of you and yoru family in the Virginia Baptist Paper for this month. The article is on your media “fast”. How’d you get connected with them? (I’m in VA near DC)

By: Simon (in touch with his feminine side) Hall

Simon (in touch with his feminine side) Hall — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:54:38 +0000

Hey man, I’ve given up my job too. S’posed to be going on retreat in December, but a wilderness in the UK is not quite the same as a wilderness in SoCal.

Keep the faith.

P.S. Going to a private gig to hear Corinne’s new album tonight…

By: stacia

stacia — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:31:45 +0000

Hey marko,
I’ve been thinking about you and your situation. I was uterly shocked when a fellow youth pastor told me what was going on. I know you will find strength and directon on this jorney. I am was in a similar situation to long ago and now am starting anew in a new ministry. I am starting from scratch which is scary but I keep tellig myself that God brought me to this place for a reason and I have to trust in that. Be strong in the lord and he wil do great things. God bless you for all that you have done and will do in your new future. God Bless

By: Todd Porter

Todd Porter — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:50:16 +0000

Have a nice God time. I am praying for you.

By: Paul Loeffler

Paul Loeffler — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:46:09 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. The blog silence will be a great reminder for us to pray for you, too. Enjoy, and may God speak in the silence – words of hope, encouragement, healing, and maybe even direction.

By: Seth Barnes

Seth Barnes — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:34:29 +0000

Great idea to go there, Marko. Will be thinking of you.