Comments on: wrestling with god and demons in the desert

By: god-given emotions — whyismarko

god-given emotions — whyismarko — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:01:57 +0000

[...] here’s my post about my time in the dessert, with a few super-mini excerpts from the journal. [...]

By: my career discernment process — whyismarko

my career discernment process — whyismarko — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:57:42 +0000

[...] least, made me feel like less of a failure (“at least someone might want me”). and my time in the desert (that was a literal desert, btw), provided a good deal more clarity about what i am and am not [...]

By: Chris Cummings

Chris Cummings — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:02:22 +0000

Thanks for opening up to us. I feel that in sharing and being real, you have reminded us that this is what Christian community, Communion is about being who we are the good, bad, and ugly with eachother before God.

Thank you!

By: Si Johnston

Si Johnston — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:12:45 +0000

Hi Mark,
You and I met at some mission consultancy gig that Ryan Bolger and Eddie were running at Fuller about 5 or 6 years ago. I was neck deep in youth work/mission/justice with the Oasis Trust over here. Anyway, owing to change within the Oasis Trust, I had to leave shortly after that gig. Having started/grown and pastored a church (which was under the auspices of Oasis), it was hard to be pushed out, especially from a CEO who was going against the wishes of the community. It very nearly finished me, and you would have already appeared to process more, and more healthily in your first month than I did. After it, one or two other mission opportunities presented themselves to me, but I felt it was right to get off that particular bicycle for a time and entered business (pulled my website/blog/facebook etc). I felt like I should give 5 years to business and that is about to finish. During that time I largely opted out of working in the ‘scene’, and have simply been involved in sharing life with a small handful of other Christians up here on the north coast of Ireland. It’s definitely done aspects of my humanity good, even if has felt like a desert for almost the duration of this time as I’ve tried to understand my identity anew in the vacuum of what was. Much of the rehab was spent battling cynicism and bitterness, which fortunately hasn’t taken a hold – again, from the blog posts, you’re already better off than I was. October 2010 represents the probable end of my time here in business, and so, like you, I’m now listening for what’s next. I’m glad for my time out of the ‘christian world’ as it’s definitely given me a more broad view of things. So who knows what’s next? Anyway, just to let you know there’s an Irish guy standing over here in solidarity. Be faithful mate.

By: Lise

Lise — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:39:18 +0000

Anger is totally a piece of the pie – in its own right. It bugs me that the theory of anger as a secondary emotion has somehow become primary… This philosophy has become a way to sanitize and control affects, which never works. I’m glad you got in touch with your anger. Anger equals energy – a powerful life force that can do great things or destroy. It’s all how the power is harnessed.

By: Paul Loeffler

Paul Loeffler — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:13:08 +0000

Thanks, Marko. As a 17 year youth veteran who’s been out of work since July, some of those feelings resonated with me. You have always had an amazing ability to articulate what we as youth workers are feeling. Thank you for your transparency. I wish you could earn a living blogging, as I know you have been such an amazing support to so many youth pastors just through this blog alone. Keep seeking Him, and He will speak. Thank you, too, for your integrity in how you’ve dealt with this whole issue.

By: Nelson Jenkins

Nelson Jenkins — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:58:41 +0000

Thanks Marko.

That was some good stuff. Real stuff that a lot of us feel. I am excited about where God leads you next. Just remember where He has taken you since the Christ Community days.
Talk to you later

By: Sarah T

Sarah T — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:18:25 +0000

I loved hearing your insight about what is going on with you.. My heart aches for you though. You know the T fam is praying for you.

Oh, and we have a firepit, and chairs, and lots of dirt just like the desert house.. you can come over here any day for a “cigar retreat”… ;)

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:58:00 +0000

Bro, amazing post. Thanks!

By: Seth Barnes

Seth Barnes — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:09:39 +0000

The older I get, the more I appreciate transparency and honesty in my friends. Thanks for this, Marko. It’s not emotional flashing – it’s important work and a great example.