Mark Beeson

Marriage Thoughts

Marriage is God’s way. It’s God’s doing. It’s God’s work. And I believe “marriage” is God’s. The whole idea of a man’s “self-gift” to his woman, and that woman’s “self-gift” to her man, is grounded in the certainty that Almighty God will bring each of them to Himself through the other.

When Sheila and I were married we stood before God to make our vows, because God was actually invested in our vows. We promised a lot. We pledged our lives. And at the core, our promises were not only to each other. We made our promises to God.

In our Judeo-Christian context, “marriage” is much more than many imagine. I’ve seen it played out in the “marriage” Sheila’s parents developed. Her father (pictured above) is a sterling example of a married man. He knows the truth; “marriage” is a vocation rather than a lifestyle. I honor Sheila’s dad for his faithfulness. He never saw “marriage” as primarily a means of personal satisfaction, so he didn’t abandon his wife when keeping his vows required personal sacrifice, or when the inevitable tensions of married life threatened to intervene.

Assuming “marriage” is simply one “life-style” choice, of many equally valid “life-styles,” suggests you can change your marital status as easily as you put on a new dress to upgrade your style. “Marriage” as vocation isn’t trendy or fickle, so its purpose is far more abiding than “marriage” as a “life-style,” intended to satisfy ever-shifting, always-changing, wants, whims and wishes. “Marriage” as “life-style” comes to an end when it no longer accomplishes its highest goal, personal satisfaction.

The gift of “self” isn’t about personal satisfaction. Nor does the gift of “self” come with a money back guarantee. No one should ask the bride or groom if they saved the receipt in case they want to return their gift, because the gift of “self” is made with a vow to stay faithful whether things get “better or worse.” A diagnosis of cancer before the bride is 40, or death in her sleep at 102, changes nothing in her “self-gift.” She gives the rest of her life, and she is his until she is parted from her husband by death. Whether a man works two minimum wage jobs barely keeping his family fed, or inherits $100 million three weeks into the marriage, his gift of “self” is for life.  Whether the natural consequences of married life are traumatic or fantastic, life’s circumstances are gifts from God. If it means eating “beans and weenies” or Filet Mignon, “marriage” is ultimately God’s course in holiness, giving structure to life and everything in it.

Cultural expectations may have changed, but decades ago Sheila’s parents devoted themselves to “marriage” as their enduring and permanent vocation. Each of them expects to give the other the gift of “self” – no matter what comes. Their expectations are far different from those choosing “marriage” as life-style, to be enjoyed as long as it gives pleasure and personal satisfaction.

“Marriage” is God’s course in holiness. If God leads you into the vocation of “marriage,” don’t settle for anything less.

Malachi 2:13-14  -  You flood the LORD’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. ¹⁴ You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

Considerations to:

Molly Flinn,   The Book of Marriage: 

                    The Wisest Answers to the Toughest Questions

Gary A Anderson,   A Marriage in Full

Matthew J. Franck,   Religion, Reason, and Same-Sex Marriage

Matthew Schmitz,   A New Movement for Marriage

Gabriel Torretta,   The Married Lifestyle

Robert P. George,   What Marriage Is – And What It isn’t

 

In My Office

I left immediately after the first Saturday service so I could see my grandkids in my office before going to the service debrief (during which we fix everything that didn't work as well as we'd hoped, and yes, that includes the sermon). There was more activity in my office than usual. Amber was visiting from Columbus so I grabbed my camera and, when the action slowed enough for a picture, I captured this moment. I love my kids.

Psalm 36:7 -  How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of men take refuge and put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.

 

Out by the Deep Dark Woods....

Sheila has a little inflatable "splash pad" set out by the woods so the grand-kids can play in the water and cool off.

Ruby's industry proved an inspiration to me and I found myself wondering what would happen if everyone was so creative, so focused and so determined.

Kids are amazing.

Deuteronomy 4:9  -  Make sure you stay alert. Keep close watch over yourselves. Don't forget anything of what you've seen. Don't let your heart wander off. Stay vigilant as long as you live. Teach what you've seen and heard to your children and grandchildren.

Teach Us to Number Our Days

- Photo by DC Curry - 

I was privileged to preach "live" at our Elkhart venue last weekend. The room was packed as I reminded the group of an old and obvious axiom: "There's a direct correlation between scarcity and value. What's rare is precious."

We are most foolish when we forget our days are numbered. We squander more opportunities, waste more time and throw away more potentially precious moments when we imagine we'll always have "later" to do what God has given us "now."  

Don't miss today's good friends, memorable moments, important conversations and loving hugs.

This is your day. Be wise. Live it well.

Psalm 90:12  -  Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Want to Add Something Fantastic to Your Next Big Event?

Tim and I join our Senior Management Team in hosting an All-STAFF-PICNIC each year. Tim and Faith, gracious, giving and over-the-top in their generosity, let all the staff families meet at their house for the big event. It's a lot of work for them, and I really appreciate the hours they invest so the rest of us can hang out at their place for a while. It's a great time: relaxed, casual and fun.

This year Frank Frucci (pictured above with his wonderful wife, Susan) was on site making his "Mobile Wood Fire Pizza" for everyone. Frank is incredible. He designed this wiz-bang, uber-efficient, super-creative wood-fire-oven-mobile-kitchen, so he could go wherever you and your guests can most benefit from his years as a chef. 

I ate just about everything Frank pulled out of his wood-fire-oven. It was all fantastic. The stuffed mushrooms kept calling out to me...until they were all gone.  Then, to my delight, Frank made more.  Mmmmmmm. 

Our Staff Picnic was great. 

Frank's business venture, Zza's On Fire, was the icing on the cake, 'er, I mean, the sauce on the pizza. I recommend it.

Hebrews 13:1  -  Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal ... when it's needed. 

Next Steps

GCC's Mission is unchanged for 25 years. We're committed to "Helping People Take Their Next Step Toward Christ....Together." All ages. Men and Women. Rich and Poor, Everyone. Everywhere. 

I was helping my granddaughter take the steps in front of her yesterday and DC Curry grabbed my camera and captured the moment. I love the shot. It captures the joy and mutual benefits of helping others take their next step as well as any picture I've seen.

Proverbs 20:24  -  The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going? 

Life Long Friendships

 

 

Have you any life-long friends? 

Gregg and Beth Parris are our friends. They'll be our friends for the rest of our days, just as they've been true friends in 30 years of days gone by. With Gregg and Beth we've raised our children, led our churches, strengthened our marriages and loved Jesus.  We've shared good times and bad, days of soaring ministry and days of disappointing set-backs. We've shared laughter and tears and we've loved each other through it all.

We've helped each other face life's transitions. They sat with us in funerals, supported us at weddings and counseled us through trials. We prayed them through times of sickness, sang beside them in worship, cheered for them when their boys got married and thanked God when their grandchildren were born. We've had a good run and we're beginning to hit our stride. These are good days, made better by our friends.

I had my camera in hand when Gregg came around the corner on his bike this morning. Sheila and had finished our daily walk and I was cooling down when Gregg rode past. He rides about 100 miles a week. (Of course, I try to drive my car at least that far every seven days, so if you're impressed that puts it in better perspective for you.) Anyway, Gregg has been an athlete his whole life, so his prowess on the bike reveals only one small aspect of his wide-ranging ability, interest and gifting. He's a remarkable man and I'm honored to be his friend.

Gregg once reminded me (when I was struggling with a personal betrayal) that I needed to quickly forgive. He said, "When I live with unforgiveness, I'm allowing someone else's weakness to overcome my strengths." He's helped me more than he knows. I'm trusting I've been helpful to him too.

Sometimes I'm asked how anyone can maintain a meaningful friendship spanning three decades of life. I think Paul's advice on nurturing our relationship with God informs other relationships, so I'll give you what Paul gave the Philippians when he said, "What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning."  

That's great advice.

Paul then added, "Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God."

What if we did such things with each of our friends too?

• What if we put real energy into our friendships? (Gregg & Beth, and Sheila & I, have made the effort to spend a few days together every summer - when it was easy to carve time out of our busy lives...and when it wasn't.)
  
  
• What if we revered our dear friends? I'm not talking about worshipping them, but what if we held one another in the highest regard, respecting and admiring the dear comrades God has given us? (We always honor each other, living with the utmost respect for one another.)
  
  
• What if we're sensitive? Just as we're sensitive to the promptings of God, what if we're carefully attentive to the desires, emotions and words shared with our friends? (Sheila & I, and Gregg & Beth, act with care toward each other. We're responsive and aware. It's amazing how much good results from genuine conscientious care.)

The disciplines you've learned nurturing your relationship with God can help you cultivate your friendships with others. And some of those friends just might develop into true friends who stick by you for the rest of your lives.

 

Proverbs 18:24  -  Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

What I Said About Our Debt-Ceiling...

-   Chuck Smith on the Petal Steel this weekend at GCC   -

I had other topics to address this weekend, but since the country is in a tizzy about the limitations of our national debt-ceiling, it seemed appropriate to speak to the issue before us. (The fact is, according to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, since March 1962, Congress has enacted 74 separate measures that have altered the limit on federal debt. Since we're talking about adjusting the debt-ceiling for the 75th time in 50 years, I'm thinking there must be more to this debate than meets the eye.)

You may not be surprised to discover that I believe the real issue before us is the issue beneath the issue we're being told is the issue. The real issue is more akin to the problems Adam and Eve faced as they struggled to live within the limits they'd been given in the Garden of Eden. LIke them, there's something about limitations and boundaries that we hate. ("And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.' said God.") There's something about limitations on our lives that tends to bring out the rebel in all of us. And that's the issue.

So, I took a couple of minutes at the top of my sermon to to speak to the real issue beneath the surface issue, and I spoke about humanity's struggle with boundaries, limits and finitude.

Here's what I said:

I need to say something about the news you’ve been hearing. Apparently, there is some concern that our entire nation is running into a bit of a debt-ceiling. Considering Congress has altered the limit on federal debt 74 times since 1962, there must be more to this issue than meets the eye.

Hmmmmm. 

Here's what I think.

I think we're all line-walkers and edge-dancers. As soon as we know where the edge is, our tendency is to run to the edge: the boundary, the limit - the end of our space, time and resources.

That’s a fact.

We are quick to call for concession. We want others to acquiesce and give us more time, or money or freedom. We want those who set boundaries and limits to remove them. We want those who imposed this whole notion of finitude (apparently without regard for our desires for life without limits) to “give us more.”

The current and trendy phrase we hear (from our 2-year-olds, and our teenage children, and our political leaders) is: “We’re all going to have to find ‘common ground.’ We’re all going to need to compromise” on this, or that issue.

Well, if you’re the one saying, “We’re out of time. We must leave now,” you know there’s nothing you can do that your “line-hating” 12-year-old daughter will accept. Wherever you draw the line, she’ll want it moved more. She wants to stay at Disney World a while longer and she begs for you to move the limit. She wants another 4 hours and suggests it’s a “compromise” if you stay only another 2 hours.  But you’re out of time and you’ll miss your flight back to South Bend if you stay longer. You say “No,” and she is aghast. She can’t believe you won’t compromise.

Imagine you’re the one saying, “We’re out of money. We’ve got to stop spending. When the ‘fun money envelope’ is empty, the fun is done.” If you've had to be the one declaring the "fun money envelope" is drained, you’re familiar with the requests for a compromise. The suggestion of a compromise comes from the one “out of funds.” 

“Can’t we spend just a little more? I still want a lot of stuff.  Each of us needs to compromise. I’ll cut way back from what I wanted to spend, and you move the line a little. We both need to compromise.”  But you’re out of money. The line has been extended as far as it can be extended. Now, the account is empty….and the fun is done.  Period.  Can you see the pain in the face of the “line-hating” shopper, who is only now realizing that people can’t spend money they don’t have?

Maybe you’ve noticed…

When you give a “line hater” who is standing on the edge, wishing there was no line keeping them from what they want - when you give them a new line….they run right up to the new line and soon they are asking you to move it too?

When you give an “edge dancer” a limit….they run right up to the edge and insist you’re mean, harsh, unkind and uncaring if you don’t extend the “edge” ….

… But if you’ve ever moved the edge a few times (like the mother who says “No,” then counts to 3, then counts to 10) edge-dancers hate the edge … no matter where it is!

Let’s face reality.

Whatever happens on these issues of limits and edges, there will not be peace in the days ahead. Not as long as people hate limits and boundaries.

There will be talk about civility, but civility will not take place. There will be talk about a compromise that will make everyone happy, but no conceivable compromise will make everyone happy. There will be talk about unity around “core values,” but we seem not to agree what those core values might be.

Conflict is ahead. 

You better know how you are personally going to face your limitations, borders, edges and lines … or you’ll end up hating everyone you imagine to be holding you back. 

If we don't learn to take our limitations in stride, and with good cheer, those limitations will cut us down. Of that you can be sure.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10  -  God told me, "My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness." Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.

What a summer for GCC's Kids!

Whether you were involved in the week our Middle School Students spent at SpringHill summer camp, one of the two weeks our children spent at the Granger Campus for GCC's SpringHill Day Camp, the GSM MOVE missions trip or the GSM Chicago Mission trip, you probably know it's been a full summer for our kids. They've been busy, busy, busy.

I love our commitment to Michiana's children. 

God does too.

Psalm 72:4  -  Please stand up for the poor and help the children of the needy. 

Really Helpful

When do you think most people stop learning?

Is it when we already know how to do something? Is it when we have some success under our belts? Is it when we imagine there's nothing left to learn, no one knows something we don't, or when we come to believe we know it all? Whenever it is, it's too soon, and it's too bad, because we've always got a lot to learn...no matter how much we already know.

That's why our leaders are always learning from others and we're always sharing what we've learned. And that's why Jessica Meyer flew all the way from Orlando to participate in Mark Waltz's 1st Impressions Workshop today. I just happened by as Kim Volheim (one of Mark's key leaders and a "connections guru" on GCC's staff) was talking with Jessica about GCC's ministry. Obviously, staying well hydrated is of great benefit to the learning experience.

Want to learn something new about doing the ministry you love? Our next big offering is The AND Conference September 22nd and 23rd. You'll learn from practitioners the likes of Hugh Halter, Alan Hirsch, Dave Ferguson and Mike Breen. I'll have a few things to say too. Check it out here and register a crew from your church to share the whole event; you'll be able to learn a lot. Guaranteed.

By the way, you can order Mark Waltz's brand new book, HOW TO WOW YOUR CHURCH GUESTS: 101 Ways to Make a Meaningful 1st Impression, here.
I recommend it.

Proverbs 1:5a  -  Let the wise listen and add to their learning.

A Little More Country....

Immediately after the weekend services ended, Tim and I headed to Jacksonville so we would meet with some of the Beach United Methodist Church staff. So for the last couple of days we've been talking about GCC's New Normal. With every conversation I'm more and more excited about the future we're sharing as we take our next steps toward Christ....together. 

Since I've got a few photos from the weekend I thought you'd enjoy seeing them.

 

                      
 

"Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance." - Lee Ann Womack

 

"I run from hate, I run from prejudice. I run from pessimists, but I run too late." - Lady Antebellum

 

"I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth making." 

Lee Ann Womack

 

                     

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted." - Lee Ann Womack

 

With last year's Country Music album sales numbering 43,718,000, it's no wonder that we're using Country music for a few more weeks at GCC. I'm loving this series. It's filled with popular music and plenty of God's "never out-of-date" wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:6-9  -  We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene.

You are chosen...

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance ... I hope you dance.

1 Peter 2:9-10  -  You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The Lord is my Refuge

Isaiah 4:6  -  There will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Think Things Slow Down During the Summer?

 

I wandered through the crowd taking pictures during our picnic at GCC last Wednesday. Everyone was there: sharing food, throwing frisbees, talking, laughing and enjoying themselves as they dug through their picnic baskets to retrieve the best desserts you can imagine. I've got about a hundred pictures like the one I've posted here; everyone had a great time.

We shared Holy Communion and commissioned some of our "missions" team. I say, "some" because our summer season of ministry is in full swing and GCC's mission teams are cranked!

Want some numbers? Here you go.
 

• 26 with our "Family Mission Trip" are in Nicaragua July 9-16.
   
• 12 are in India right now.
   
• 13 from our Creative Arts Team fly to India at the end of July.
   
• 1 will be flying to India on the 17th of July to work for an entire month.
   
• 45 worked last week in our local GSM mission effort (called "MOVE").
   
• 60 leave Tuesday for a week of inner-city ministry on GSM Chicago Missions Trip
   
• 42 High School GSM'ers (and their adult leaders) begin work in Nicaragua as July ends.
   

Summer isn't when the church slows down; summer is the time we kick it into high gear. We're adding these special trips as we continue offering dozens of ongoing missional ministries.

The summer season is a great time to take our next steps toward Christ.

2 Timothy 4:2b  -  Be prepared in season and out of season.

I Hope You Dance

 

GCC has "Gone Country" and this week you'll discover a new appreciation for what you have - whether it seems like a little or a lot. Services will be offered four times at the Granger Campus (Saturday night at 5 & 7, Sunday morning at 9:30 & 11:30) and once at our Elkhart venue (Sunday morning at 10). You won't regret bringing your family and friends. It's a weekend for all of us to pause and count our blessings.

(By the way, if you're new to the church in the last year or so, I hope you'll meet with me on Saturday, July 23rd from 8:00 to 1:00, for our Discovering GCC class. You can register here. During that class you'll learn our mission, vision and values.  If you've ever wondered why we do the things we do, the way we do, this class is for you.)

Romans 15:7-8  -  So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it! Jesus, staying true to God's purposes, reached out in a special way to the Jewish insiders so that the old ancestral promises would come true for them. As a result, the non-Jewish outsiders have been able to experience mercy and to show appreciation to God. Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! 

Care Enough to Share

 

There's something about God's heart for the weak, the poor and the marginalized that makes me love HIM. From Old Testament to New, God's love for those in need is constant. When we care enough to share with the desperate and broken, we honor God and advance HIS Kingdom.

Deuteronomy 24:19-21  -  When you harvest your grain and forget a sheaf back in the field, don't go back and get it; leave it for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow so that God, your God, will bless you in all your work. When you shake the olives off your trees, don't go back over the branches and strip them bare—what's left is for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. And when you cut the grapes in your vineyard, don't take every last grape—leave a few for the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. 

Potato Creek Ospreys

 

I drove south of Indianapolis for a meeting yesterday. On the way home I was coming through Lakeville as the sun was setting, so I turned west on State Road 4 and went to Potato Creek. Evening light is great light for photography so I headed to the Osprey Pole to see if the birds were still on their nest. 

I was surprised to see that the brood (each "baby" now almost as big as its parents) was still in the nest. I snapped a few photos and headed home.  

If you want to see the Ospreys catching fish from Worster lake and "flying" their catch to their young, now is the time.  I figured you'd want to know.

Mark 4:30-32  -  Jesus said, "How can we picture God's kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It's like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it."

4th of July Weekend at GCC

 

A man approached me after the service this weekend. He stood straight as a ramrod. His stride was powerful as he approached me with an outstretched hand. He greeted me with a firm handshake and said, "I'm a vet. I spent 20 years in the military. I want you to know, that was the most meaningful worship service I've ever attended. Thank you."  Moved by his sincerity, I was nearly overwhelmed by the gratitude welling up inside me. 

I pray we never take God's blessing for granted.

I pray we never forget what our founders knew so well, and wrote so plainly in the Declaration of Independence when they penned the words, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." 

I pray we stay the course, trusting God as we walk the road God revealed.

I pray we never take for granted all the veterans who - like the veteran who spoke with me this weekend - joined our founders in proclaiming, "for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

I pray we never forget the ONE who gave us our liberty, prescribed the right way to live, and now expects us to live it.

 

Psalm 119:1-3

You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. 
   You're blessed when you follow his directions, 
      doing your best to find him. 
   That's right—you don't go off on your own; 
      you walk straight along the road he set. 
   You, God, prescribed the right way to live; 
      now you expect us to live it. 
   Oh, that my steps might be steady, 
      keeping to the course you set; 
   Then I'd never have any regrets 
      in comparing my life with your counsel. 
   I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; 
      I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. 
   I'm going to do what you tell me to do; 
      don't ever walk off and leave me.

Red-winged Black Bird / Agelaius phoeniceus

 

After the breeding season ends (each pair raises two or three broods in a season) Red-winged Black Birds gather in flocks with other black birds - sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands, sometimes in the millions. Do you suppose that's what God had in mind when HIS order was to let the birds increase on the earth?

My powers of deduction lead me to believe, since I wasn't swarmed by a million black birds when I took this picture, it must still be breeding season.
 

Genesis 1:22  -  God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”