Markley's Blog

So as I stated in my cover blog, the beginning of the year was a journey I never expected on taking. Well please let me expand my thoughts and just share my heart.

God is bringing some amazing changes and challenges into my life and it is exciting, perplexing, and in some cases, questioning.  All in all the comforting aspect of this, is knowing that with all this exciting, perplexing, and in some cases questioning challenges, God is in complete control of it all. To Him it’s not, perplexing, or questioning, but I believe He knows how exciting it is, and how exciting it will be. With all this exciting, perplexing, and questioning events going on, it gives me a different view on several different areas that I can share with my readers.

First let’s start with the drama.  I need to go back a couple of years to a time when Kristine and I were ministering at the local mission in town.  We ran a class that was teaching financial responsibility.  We befriended one of the couples in the class and were able to share our heart, or at least my heart as far as a desire to serve our Lord in a unique way.  Realizing we had a kindred spirit of the same desire to serve, I was asked to take part in a play.

My friend Weston wrote this play and had a particular part he wanted me to play. The play was to be performed at an African American church, one of the largest in the area.  The culture that we experienced was such a blessing.  Kristine and I both felt loved and we also felt the love and dedication that the church, the pastor and the members had for our Lord.  It was truly incredible.  We all should get out of our comfort zone and our favorite pew, and expose ourselves to how other culture’s worship God!  It would not only open our eyes and our mind, our heart would be blessed.

Kristine and I were astounded and floored by what we encountered.  The first play was a drama dealing with materialism and possession, and the power they have over us and their ability to change us.  The second play was a little more of a comedy, yet the storyline was a powerful reminder of the special need there is in having a strong relationship so that when adversity strikes, we have the strong foundation to weather the storm.  I will share later how ironic that has become.

I want to be an encourager.  Do not be afraid of something, you may not be used too.  Drop the preconceived ideas and throw out the traditions that may have bogged you down.  Open the heart let the Lord move in and not only touch your thinking, but let Him in and touch your heart and bring a joy you may never have felt before.  Kristine and I still talk about what we were exposed to and the refreshing wave of worship and community we enjoyed.  Be still, and listen, God is always working and moving and let’s be ready to be moved.