A day in the life of...Mark Williams

You Can't Delegate Your Prayer Life

There are lots of things that can be delegated when you are in leadership.  It is a must if all of the work is to be done.  Delegation can be very positive.  It empowers people to put "their touch" on something.  It gives people ownership of a task, event, project, etc.  It allows more people to be involved, rather than one person doing everything.  In ministry, delegation empowers volunteers to "buy in", to invest in the ministry and work of the kingdom.  

One thing that can't be delegated:  Your Prayer Life.  I have a Personal relationship with Jesus.  It isn't someone else's relationship.  It's the one I have with Jesus.  Yes, other people have a relationship with Jesus.  But mine isn't theirs.  And theirs isn't mine.  I spend time in prayer because I have a desire to grow the relationship I have with Jesus.  Delegation doesn't apply here.  Never has.  Never will.  I encourage you as you lead in what you do, remember that you can't delegate your prayer life.  

Tech Thursday

Thursdays at Agricola have been labeled "Tech Thursday" for quite sometime now.  Today, tech Thursday was taken to George County High School.  I was asked to teach two classes Basic Video Editing at the school.  I enjoyed the opportunity and loved hanging out with high school students during those two classes.  

It's intriguing to talk with students, because they need purpose.  They need someone to tell them that they are capable of so much more.  As I started off each class, I took some time to tell them that they each have a story, and they need to tell it.  We talked about the message of a video.  Every video has a message.  It's important for us to know our purpose, not only in videos we make, but also in the lives that we live.  Know your purpose, and you'll know where to go next. 

As followers of Jesus, we have a story.  I'm not the main character.  Jesus is.  I just have a small part in the story.  But the main character knows who I am.  And I know the I AM.  

 

Wanting More. Perceived needs vs. real needs

We live in a world of wanting more and wanting it fast.  This has been elevated so much in recent years.  We tire of things quickly.  Here's a few examples:

Technology--Purchasing technology is one of the hardest things to do....and be satisfied a week later.  For example, the iPad.  I have the original iPad.  The device is simply AMAZING.  It isn't very heavy.  It has a great screen.  It has great apps.  I can access email, internet, chat with people.   Here's the problem.  They have an iPad 2 and an iPad 3 now.  My device is less than 2 YEARS OLD!!  And they've already upgraded it twice, with each model being faster, slimmer, more lightweight, better screen, etc.  I would love to have a new one.  But you know what.  Mine still isn't that old.  When you buy technology, you have to come to a point and say....this is sufficient.  

Media--I love The Hunger Games books.  The buzz surrounding the books was incredible.  Many of my friends had read them.  I like to read, so I took the time to jump in.  And they were great.  The books created such a buzz that a movie was made.  The buzz for the movie exceeded that of the books, in my opinion.  I could not go see the movie for 2 weeks after it released.  My schedule just wouldn't fit it in.  I was READY to see the movie!!  And I did.  And I was satisfied for such a short amount of time.  

These are just two examples of us wanting the "latest" thing and wanting it now.  Our culture creates in us a perceived "need".   Real needs vs. perceived needs.  There is a world of difference.  And the irony is that both of the examples above are all perceived needs.  

Spiritual--A relationship with God is a REAL need for people.  It is not just a perceived need.   The church and people of God try to communicate this real need.  But for many, it is seen as a "perceived"   need and not a real one.  It's tough moving people from seeing a relationship with God as a perceived need to a real need.   

Baseball. America's game.

America's game.  Well....that's what they call it.  I like baseball.  I don't watch too many "complete" games, but I do love a good game.  Micah and I keep up with the Braves primarily.  We like the Red Sox too.  Baseball is the only professional season that starts and ends in the same calendar year.  Baseball was "THE" sport growing up.  It was basically the only sport kids played.  Growing up a Miss. State fan, college baseball was fun as well.  The Ron Polk-led Bulldogs is what I grew up on.  I went to many games with my family growing up.  I was there when Burke Masters hit the grand slam in the Regional.  Baseball, for being a slow game, has its exciting moments.  So as this season starts, use baseball as a time to relax.  To sit back and watch.  It's a big chess match on grass.  And enjoy America's game.  

Peru in 10 Days

A pic of our translators, Aracelli and Anibal (J.B.)

I will be heading out to Peru in 10 days with 3 others from our church.  I love the people of Peru.  I love the country.  I love the opportunity that is there to share the Gospel.  Our "base" will be Canta, Peru.  And we will go out to our adopted villages each day to minister.   Our purpose is to plant churches that are led by the people of Peru, not dependent on outside help.  The process is slow, but it is one that we are seeing progress.  Along with sharing the Gospel, prayerwalking, Storying, teaching scripture, we are training/discipling potential church leaders in the villages.  

Prayers:  We covet your prayers.  It is the "wet"/rainy season there.  Or it is at least coming to a close.  That means that the roads in the mountains are not in the greatest of conditions.  Pray for safe travels each day.  Seriously.  Pray.

Pray that we would have success in raising up leaders within the villages to lead the church.  Not the church as an institution, but as the people of God.  

Pray that the "Light" would dispel the "darkness".  You know, the roads concern me a little, but God can handle muddy roads.  Pray that the darkness of evil will be quenched by the light of the Gospel.  

Pray that we stay well.  When you travel up to high altitudes, headaches and sickness can affect people in different ways.  I've been fortunate in the past not to have these problems, but pray for all of our well-being.

Pray for the people.  The Quechua are a lovely group of people created by God.  We have a passion for sharing the Gospel with them.    

Thank you!!  Thank you for praying. 

Ok....psyche....maybe this blog isn't moving. I NEED YOUR HELP THOUGH.

I thought that I was going to have to delete this blog because I was downgrading from a paid version to a free version.  So, I'm wondering if there are any "readers" still out there.  I know it takes just a minute, but if you actually are reading this I would love for you to leave a simple comment.  

If you leave a comment, I will select one person using random.org to GIVE AWAY A PRIZE PACK that includes:
1.  M4 Camps t-shirt
2.  M4 Camps guitar pick
3.  handmade Survival bracelet  

I'll mail it to you if you are out of town.  If you live close to me, I'll give it to you in person!!

THIS BLOG IS MOVING!!!

I made a decision to move this blog to another location.  Here is a link to the new location of the blog.
So if you read this blog through a reader, you'll need to subscribe to the blog at the new location.  

markwilliamslive.wordpress.com  

This blog will be here for just a few more days....or weeks.  But not long after that.  

 

Meditation: Filling our mind with the meaningful Word of God

I started teaching a new study this morning at our church.  The study is written by Kerry Shook.  He has written some excellent stuff.  We had a great turnout for the study, and I was encouraged by the desire of many to take another step in their faith journey.  Here are some of the highlights of what we talked about today.  

Psalm 1:1-3 speaks clearly to us delighting in the Law of the Lord.  We are to meditate on it day and night.  
My thought...We can't depend on 2-3 hours a week of "church" to grow us spiritually.  We MUST spend time meditating on The Word of God.  Meditation is filling our mind with the meaningful Word of God.  

Psalm 119 speaks to meditating on the Word as well.  Rich scripture.  

Meditating on the Word gives us a:
secure mind
productive life
fresh faith

When we look at Spiritual Disciplines, we often think of them as something that is no longer done.  This is probably true for many.  We won't necessarily like "the disciplines" all the time, but they will help us grow in our relationship with Jesus.  Just like when you are training for a marathon, the training hurts, but it prepares you and builds up your body.  

We can look at meditation as something that can help us focus on our relationship with Jesus.  Not just something else that we "do".  

Reading from November 2011-2012

I actually enjoy reading.  I think my Mom instilled that in me.  Along with many of my teachers along the way.  I'm not a "classics" reader though.  Last year, I read through the Bible "in a year".  I actually finished a little early.  I really didn't know how it would go.  But the richness of God's Word is incredible.  There is SOOO much there.  It is a gift.  It is what we need to feed ourselves with everyday.  So I read through the Bible.  But I also did a lot of other reading.  At some point, I'll go back and look at some of the books I read earlier in the year.  But starting at Thanksgiving, this is what I read through December:

The Hunger Games
Catching Fire (Second in the Hunger Games Trilogy)
Mockingjay  (Third in the Hunger Games Trilogy)

Quitter by Jon Acuff.  Excellent book!!

Shouting At God by Steve Rose.  (Friend from Arizona that I met after Hurricane Katrina)

Miracle in the Mountains by Lonnie and Belinda Riley.  Great book on the power of faith.

Currently reading:  Voice of the MSU Bulldogs: Jack Cristil by Sid Salter (a fellow Philadelphian)

Edit....Also reading Drew Brees' book:  Coming Back Stronger

Punching a bear in the nose

I've always heard that the way to survive a bear attack is to punch it in the nose.  Seems logical.  If you get punched in the nose, you are at least taken back for a moment.  But I'm not really sure where that came from.  I mean, who actually knows that if you can punch a bear in the nose, he/she will run away.  It probably just means that you are delaying the inevitable.  But....I can tell you this.  If I get attacked by a bear, I am going to do my dog-gone best to punch it in the nose.  Why?  That's all I know to do.  

That's how we respond to many things isn't it.  We don't know what to do.  How to respond.  We aren't prepared.  When you look at the circumstances of life, and the situations that arise, often people (including myself) aren't prepared.  The idea here is that we should be strong in our relationship with God.  We KNOW that Satan will attack.  We KNOW that bad things will happen in this world because it is fallen.  We KNOW that there is sin.  We KNOW that Satan comes to steal, and kill, and destroy.  The question is.....are you ready to punch bear in the nose?  

Live ready. You know it's coming.  

A life filled with moments.

Life is made up of moments.  Moments we remember.  Moments that make us remember why we live.  Moments that are full of life.  The kind of things that happen that make us thankful we have another breath of air in our lungs.  These aren't just happy, joyful ones.  They are moments that are full of hurt and heartache. Life isn't just about the happy times.  It's about making it through the tough ones with friends and family.  The moments where really, our relationship with God is the only thing that can sustain us.  Those moments of life can sometimes seem unbearable.  But we know that God surrounds us with people who help us through those moments. 

The good times, on the other hand, are full of joy and laughing.  I made one of those moments with my family over Christmas.  It started on Christmas morning with my son opening up his final gift:  2 tickets to the New Orleans Saints-Atlanta Falcons game in the Superdome on Monday Night Football.  The day after Christmas.  The joy started when he opened the tickets.  But the making of the moment lasted through the trip down to New Orleans.  Spending time with friends.  Eating cajun food together.  Taking my son to the Superdome and to his first NFL game.  Feeling the excitement as we entered The Dome.  Feeling the excitement of a packed out house.  Seeing Drew Brees break the single season passing record for yards thrown.  Seeing him wave the "foam finger" that I bought him.  Talking about the game on the walk back to the hotel.  Listening to him call his mom when we got back to the hotel to tell her Thank You too.  Eating beignets at Cafe' Du Monde the next morning.  Watching him take a nap beside me on the way back home. 

You see, that is a moment for us.  As a family.  As a father and son.  These moments are what make life full.  For some, it's taking your daughter for some Mom/Daughter time or Daddy/Daughter time.  For others it's going hunting.  Heading out for a "date" with your kid.  Those moments are made with our spouse as well.  We make these moments with our family.  We make them with friends. 

God blesses us with a life live.  Make moments.  Don't just buy things.  Do things together.  Serve together.  Work together.  Play together.  Worship together.  But most of all, live life together. 

 

Life is precious. Don't take it for granted.

The longer I live, the more I realize that we are only here for a short time.  Whether someone lives a "long" life or it is cut short, we are all here for just a brief moment in time.  I have been reminded of this over and over these past 2 weeks.  When something as simple as driving home from church can tragically change your life by losing a child in a car wreck, or the sudden loss of a parent to a heart attack.  My heart aches and the burden is heavy for people going through this.  Our God, though, is steadfast and loving.  He is the Comforter.   So what will I do:  Cherish this life that we have been given.  Live it to the full EVERY day.  Be a part of the mission of God.  We must live our lives as if each day is our last.  I know that sounds cliche, but it is very true. 

Love on your family.  Love on your spouse.  Give your kids lots of hugs.  Tell them that you love them. Share the Gospel with them.  Don't just spend quality time with them.  Spend quantity time as well.  Because your time is brief. 

Looking back on 2011. Pressing forward in 2012

2011 was a good year.  We continued to see some amazing things in the life of our family and ministry.  I started my 9th year working at Agricola Baptist Church.  Now, on January 1st, 2012, I am 5 months away from being here 9 years.  Wow!!  There are days when it seems like we just got here yesterday.  Other days, it seems like we've always lived here.  This is the only place Malaree has lived.  And really the only place Micah remembers. We saw many people come to know Christ this past year.  Working and serving alongside so many people that we live life with is rewarding in its own way. 

M4 Camps continued to grow in 2011.  We had our 5th year of camp as M4.  I am always amazed, and even more humbled when I look back on camp each year.  The thought that God has included us in His plan for reaching kids and adults through camp is awesome.  Our staff has continued to grow!!  We had some new faces on our staff this year.  It really is cool to see our staff "grow up" through the years, be used in ministry, and live for the glory of God.  We look at them working at M4 Camps as a way of "equipping" them for the work of the ministry.  The time we work at camp is fun, exhilerating, TIRING, but worth every moment.  My wife continues to amaze me at the creativity that God has gifted her with.  I believe that she and I complement each other well in M4 Camps.  We each have things that God has gifted us in, and we use those to bring glory to Him.  Our friends through M4 Camps continues to grow.  People like Curt Hale, Jack Bailey, Chris Layton, Gary, Permenter, and David Hatton are people who serve with us throughout camp.  Our friendship with them is something that I hold dear. Bryan Linkins and the Waukaway staff have become great friends of ours as well.  We work alongside them as we share the Gospel, the Truth with campers. 

Micah is now in the 5th grade.  He is in a 5th/6th multi-age class at Agricola Elementary.  He continues to love playing sports, but isn't consumed by it.  He loves to serve.  His heart is so compassionate.  Malaree started kindergarten this year.  Not a good thing for me.  That's my baby....and I didn't much care for her going off to "big school".  But one of the joys of being a parent is watching your kids grow into who God wants them to be. 

Family vacation:  We went to Florida at the beginning of the summer.  We love the trek to Ft. Walton Beach to enjoy a little relaxation.  In October, I had some skymiles saved up, so we took the family to Washington, D.C.  What a trip!!  It was the kids first time to fly.  We got to see SOOOOO MUCH!!  They still talk about the trip. 

Melanie is.....well, she is amazing.  I spoke of her creativity earlier.  But her love and commitment to me and our family is worth speaking of.  She is such an encourager, and lover of God.  I am blessed beyond any description to be able to spend my life with her.  We continue to look for new ways to give to others, minister to people, and stretch our creative muscles.

2012.  I haven't made any stated "New Year's Resolutions".   I do, however, have some goals and commitments that I'm striving for.  I'm not much for writing them on my blog.  But I may share some throughout the year.  My main goal for 2012.....to be more like Christ.  Yes.  More like Christ. 

Shouting At God....a book by Steve Rose

I just finished reading a book by a friend, Steve Rose.  The book is Steve's journey through his Dad's battle with cancer.  I have to tell you that the book was moving in that it dealt personally with the struggles that one goes through when a family member is dying.  Steve deals with some tough issues that give the reader a glimpse of what things look like from the inside.  

Because the book is so personal, that is its' strength.  The honesty of the emotions that someone experiences is raw.  It is real.  And it is something worth reading.  Steve paints a picture of the process of dealing with grief, anger, joy, and happiness that we go through when we realize that a loved one passes from this earth to an eternal destination.  The Hope we have in Christ is seen as the source for a family in difficult times.

If you know someone who is dealing with a friend or family member that is experiencing their last moments on this earth, this book is a great guide for helping someone see that there is hope.  And that hope is found in Christ.  Shouting At God is a well-written account by Steve Rose, who shares with the reader a transparent view of what it's really like dealing with "life and death" matters.   

Shouting At God on Amazon

Kids don't believe in "Later"

Just something to think about....I face this often.  Here's the scenario.  I've just come in from a full day of work.  My kids are finishing up their homework.  They want to play.  I want to sit down for a few.  I may have a project or something "I" would like to work on.  Maybe I just want to sit down for a few.  Maybe I want to watch Sportscenter.  Insert ______________ that YOU want to do.  Sometimes it's me wanting to work on a "dream" project.  Something that I love.  They want to throw the football, or have me watch them do flips or swing.  Or play dolls.  Or fill in the blank.  

Here's the thing I read in a book called, Quitter by Jon Acuff:  "The problem is that kids don't believe in later.  As parents we might think that in a few years, when they're older, our kids will appreciate and maybe even understand the long hours we put into following our dreams and working, but they don't.  Kids believe in right now.  That the only reality they understand.  I've never heard a 13 year old say, "My dad really wasn't around for the first ten years of my life, but I have a really nice bike now, so it all evens out."  Kids don't say that.  They might not have the ability to verbally communicate what it means to be lonely as a 6 year old, but they are when we ignore them for the sake of pursuing our dreams to create a better later."  

You can't substitute "later" for "now" with your kids.  You can't substitute "later" for "now" with your spouse.  It just never evens out.  That means that we have to HUSTLE at other times.  But don't cheat that time with them.  We may have to get up earlier or stay up later to do those things to chase our dreams.  But don't take the time from them.  

In a similar example, the last time we went to DisneyWorld, I told my wife that everytime my then 4 year old daughter asked me to pick her up and carry her, I would say yes.  Why?  Not because I wanted to carry her around everywhere.  I did, because I wanted to remember that time.  The next time we go to Disney, she'll be too big for me to pick up and give her a break.  But not that trip.  Everytime she reached those arms up to me, I said Yes.  And I carried her.  And I got tired.  But I did it because of my love for her....and the joy of the "now" and not the "later" that she wouldn't understand.  

This was a good reminder for me.  By the way, the entire book Quitter by Jon Acuff is worth reading!!