Next Step on The Journey

This blog carries with it a great expanse of emotions for my family and me.  At Canvas, we always remind each other that the Christian life is a Journey.  No one has arrived.  This blog signifies the ending of a portion of our Journey.  It is with great sadness that I have to announce my resignation as the Journey Pastor at Canvas Church.  God has done so many things in the life of my family for the past 3 years.  I realize Canvas has only been having services for 2 years, but we have been setting our minds and hearts on Savannah for 3.  God is calling us back to the Atlanta area.  It’s one of those times when you have to do what God is calling you to do even if you don’t want to do it.  Remember, the only “right” we have is death due to our sin.  It is by God’s everlasting grace and mercy that we have any thing else.

 

I start work at my old job on Wednesday January, 12.  We will be living with my parents for a while (I am sure they will like the grandchildren around.)  We feel like God is calling us into a season to get emotionally, physically, and financially well to be able to move on to ministry again later.

 

As with any season, we don’t know what to expect. We don’t know how long this will last.  We don’t really know much at all except go back to Atlanta and wait on the Lord.  I am excited about the opportunities this will bring both us and Canvas.  God is doing some amazing things.

 

We will miss our Canvas family and look forward to watching them continue to grow in the Lord.  I will end with the best way I know how.  This is my encouragement to you Canvas:

 

 

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

 

God is pressing me…

I know it’s been a while but I have no internet.   I will blog more regularly when we get internet back. I promise…..

God has been pressing me with an issue that will probably step all over people’s toes but I can’t shake it.  I have to say something.

1 John 3:11-18

Love One Another

11For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.12We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.13Do not be surprised, brothers,  that the world hates you.14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

16By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.17But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?18Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Versus 17 and 18 jump out to me like crazy!  If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? If you live in america for the most part you have the world’s goods.  As a matter of fact, if you make more than $37,000 a year you are in the top 4% of income earners in the world!  There is need all around us yet how many of us will buy luxuries (cable, new phone, expensive cars, etc) before we help those in need.  This is absurd to me.  The problem is the world has seen no difference in us and them when it comes to our stuff. We still pursue comfort and things.  The word of God is clear on us helping our fellow man in need.  If we have the means and do nothing,  God’s love does not abide in us.  It goes on to say don’t just talk but love in deeds! (v 18)

John 13:35 “”By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you havelove for one another.”

We as Christians need to step up and show love!  Below are some opportunities to step it up and show Christ’s love. Click a link and do something!

Compassion International

Children’s Hunger Fund

Let’s get showing love! If you are not stirred by the needs of others, you need to check you eternal standing with God.

Caught up in Life

I have been caught up in everything going on in the life of the Tanner family lately.  We will be welcoming baby Ella into the world in 12 days (or sooner). I am beyond excited. I can’t wait.  Along with that comes other changes. We have been rearranging some things in the apartment to try to get ready. It has been interesting. Also, the hardest change for me, I am being forced to do something I said I never would do. I am going to buy a mini-van. I know… I know… but you just don’t understand til you have kids.  As a matter of fact the sale of my Expedition went so much faster than I thought it would.  It has been crazy.  In the midst of this craziness God has been dealing with me on some things. I just finished Francis Chan’s book “Forgotten God.” It is amazing. That combined with a marriage series at church has flipped the way I do things upside down.

I feel like I am just now getting out of that youthful arrogance stage that we all go through in our teens and early twenties. It is sobering to find all this stuff I should have been doing but thought I had it figured out.  The cool thing is that on this side of it, there is so much mercy.  God just takes you and is like let’s do this My way now.  It is very freeing when we humble ourselves and let God take control and responsibility for our lives.

One of the many things I am changing is the way I focus on the work God has for me at Canvas. I will be planning less and praying more.  I can only get done so much. God has the power to do way more.  I want to have a ministry that is best compared to Gideon’s army. It was obvious that the victory came from God. We need to make sure our life is like this. People should see our ministries, see our accomplishments, meet us… whatever – and give glory to God, not say we did good. I am fervently praying for this to be alive in my life and ministry.

We have a few things we would ask that you join my family in fervently praying for if you are able:

1. We need a bigger place. 2 bedroom apartments don’t cut it with 2 children (especially if you need to host a Journey group)
2. Our life is about to get crazier than it already is. We are adding a child. The one we have is crazy… we need this one to be chilled.
3. I feel like God is on the verge of doing something amazing at Canvas church. Please pray as a staff we are ready for it.

Let’s focus on God and let Him be the one people pay attention to in our lives.

God’s Mercy

Luk 13:6	And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
Luk 13:7	“And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’
Luk 13:8	“And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.
Luk 13:9	“‘Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” I love this passage. We see many aspects of God here.  One thing I see is that God expects fruit out of His vines. He comes seeking it.  He also is just in that if He finds no fruit, He asks why we “use up the ground.” Basically, you are a waste of air! But the next part is what God has been teaching me the most. We serve a merciful God. Why should He give us more time when we already had plenty? I heard a pastor reference this verse while I was working my day job cutting grass.  I have learned a great deal about growing things in the last year.  My brain locked onto this part about fertilizer. I began thinking about all the different types of fertilizers we use.  Some of it is slow release, some fast, some will burn up grass, some will be more mild…etc. (don’t want to go HGTV on you) So as I am thinking about that and about to draw some huge spiritual parallel with my fertilizer knowledge, God gently speaks to me and says, “Mark, this is around 0 AD. Don’t think they had Scott’s Weed and Feed. What did they use?” Then it hit me. They used… manure. Cow patties as it may be. That puts this in a unique perspective. To be blunt, as I often am, some times God will put crap on us to make us grow and produce fruit.  Sometimes our trials are not God’s wrath. They are in fact His mercy. How merciful God is.  He has given us salvation when we deserved death! He has allowed us to labor for Him in His name! He has not returned yet, showing vast mercy to the world! He allows us to know Him. Think about the mercy God has showed us. Then think about the mercy you show others. It might hurt if you are honest with yourself. Our mercy should be a reflection of Him.  It will be perceived as one either way. Keep allowing God to “dump” His mercy on you! Until the king returns…

How my boy helps me understand God!

It has been a crazy last few days.  God is moving as always, but apparently so is baby Ella.  Trey and I spent last night in the hospital waiting room while Trisha sat with nurses  who were stopping labor.  It was lots of “fun.” Trey handled it very well.  Judging by the looks I got, I think he knows we are crazy.  Trisha is doing just fine.  If anything our adventure has helped us realize we are not quite ready.  Consequently I now have a honey do list. 🙂

I love being a parent.  It is something you cannot understand until you actually have a child.  God has taught me so much just from my first 19 months that have given me a great perspective.  Not long ago God showed me a small glimpse of himself through a situation with Trey.

It may come as shock to the grandparents but, on occasion, Trey acts up and requires discipline (remember mom and dad he comes from me).  I don’t remember what Trey did but I had to punish him.  He cried like crazy. It broke his heart.  He looked at me with a look that would kill.  We had to put him to bed not long after and I felt horrible. (it was however very needed)

Later, I was thinking about the situation and was very bothered. I was talking to God.  I told Him, “God, I had to discipline him. If he does not learn obedience from us he won’t learn to obey You.  It was not optional.” All the while God was telling me I know.  Then I said, “God do you think he knows I love him.” Immediately I could feel God saying, “I know how you feel!”

Then it hit me.  All the rough spots Trisha and I had gone through in the last 2 years were necessary.  And every time I would question God and where He was in all of this, He was saying, “Know that I love you! This has to be done. I need you to be in a better position then you are now! I am shaping you to bring Me more glory which is what you have been asking for!”

It is hard to accept God’s discipline and shaping.  Often we associate having money and easy living with God’s favor.  We totally don’t get it. God’s favor is always more of Him and more of His glory not more stuff and more comfort.  His favor is found most when we are in the midst of trials.  Deep spiritual growth does not come outside of trials. It comes from His continued discipline. Know that He loves you no matter what and what he is doing is to shape you life for more of His favor.

Back into the blogging world…

I am jumping back into the blogging world.  My mind is filling up to much and I need a place to dump what God is teaching me. I know it has been a while but I am making it a priority to blog once a week.  Here is what God is showing me lately.

God has been doing some amazing things in my life in the last year and change.  Since calling me to Canvas He has given me an amazing son, taken a well paying job, provided me with a paying job (it sure reminds me that my work doesn’t pay the bills but HE provides), given me a daughter (whom I can’t wait to meet in March), allowed my family to be put through stress (see previous items),  moved us 4 times (with a 5th impending) and allowed us to be tested and sifted in many different ways.  I would not trade it for anything. Through all the stress He has drawn me closer and closer to Him.

It’s odd sometimes how we are taught to view our circumstances in the church.  We have had a financially stressful year.  God has taught us so much about His provision.  It is often taught that if you are following God, you deserve to be comfortable. You deserve to have an “abundant life” and flourish in all ways.  That sounds amazing… to bad it is not in scripture that way.

You see we have to stop reading the Bible from our earthly standpoint.  The abundant life Jesus speaks about in John 10 is not the way we think of it.  Walking closely to HIM is the abundant life.  It is not about money.  It’s not about possessions. It is not about comfort.  To assume we deserve anything other than death and hell is to assume we are better than Christ Himself, who laid down His life for us.  The Bible actually teaches that to get the abundant life, it REQUIRES trials, tribulation, and discomfort.  James 1″Count it all joy, my brothers,[fn2] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Notices it says WHEN and and not if.

Philippians 1:29 says: “For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If we do all we can to keep from suffering then could it be said we do all we can to keep from growing to a deeper walk with Christ?

He is EVERYTHING! He is the abundant life!

First Week working in Savannah

I have been in Savannah for a little more than a week.  Trisha, Trey and I are getting back into a routine together.  It has been amazing coming home to my family after work.  I missed them terribly!!

This week has been a different experience.  I started my new job cutting grass for a large private club here in Savannah.  They have 6 championship golf courses.  These are beautiful!! My job is to work on a crew with a few guys.  We maintain the landscaping and parking lots around the club houses and swim and tennis areas. (I also get to play for free whenever I want!!)  The job itself is work.  I spent five and 1/2 years getting my body into shape for my previous job (sitting in a desk driving a computer) thus it is not quite in shape for this job yet.

On top of the hard work, God has used this job to humble me.  I went from being a Network Engineer lead technician – to a guy who cuts grass and wears a uniform.  I spent 5 years working my way up to a well respected employee of a great company to the guy that alot of people look down upon.  I took a lot of pride in my job at Cbeyond.  I taught myself cutting edge technology and became the person people went to with questions in my group.  Now I cut the grass.  God  is humbling me.  He is taking down my prideful self one wall at a time.  With each step of faith Trisha and I make, God takes something else, but with everything He takes, He gives me more of Himself. The more of me I give up, the more of Him I get.

Christ MUST increase – I MUST decrease!!!!

Many Changes – New Commitments

Lots of things have changed since I blogged last.  So here I am with an update blog.  I commit to blogging more from this point on.  If you feel I am not blogging enough, please leave me a comment or shoot me an email.

So here is what is going on with the Tanner family…..

• God showed me the main reason I had not quit my job was pride.  I made something of myself and my career and did not want to give it up
• Some awesome people stepped up and gave sacrificially to help me be able to come home to my family.  This was a huge encouragement.
• I decided to quit my job before I had a job lined up.
• God provided me an incredible job!! All along I said I want a mindless job that I can just enjoy… like cutting grass on a golf course.  So I am going to be cutting grass on a golf course!!!!
• My son started crawling.  That will change your life!!!!  This little man is crazy.
• God continues to show up in amazing ways in the lives of the people at Canvas church.
• This blog is being brought to you by my amazing God provided MAC Book!

God has been so good to my family the last month.  I am privalideged to be called to follow Him to Savannah.  I can’t wait to see what God does as we start the next part of our Savannah journey: the part where I actually get to live there!!!!

Be praying for us and make sure I blog regularly…

Faith vs. Common sense

I have been told many times that God calls us to use our common sense. I have several problems with this. The first one is, common sense is not very common. Believe me. I support phones and internet over the phone and have spoken to many people who missed the boat on that one.

Second, and more importantly, I find in the bible God tells us not to use our common sense. An often quoted verse, Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” One might say your own common sense. There are also several stories that common sense was thrown right out to follow God. In every case, it was so that God would get the full glory of the situation.

Example 1: Gideon

God told Gideon to lead Israel into battle. He started with 32000 men. He was all geared up for the battle when God said, hey – You got to many men. I need to get the glory for this. So through a series of test and questions, God has Gideon narrow down the count a tad. He narrowed it to 300 (not that 300 – this was another more farmer like less ripped body builder trained warrior.) It was 300 against about 135,000. Where is the common sense in that? Common sense would say – Gideon, it is stupid for you to take 32,000 into battle against the… wait what you are taking 300? Death called, he’ll see you in a few.

Example 2: David

This is a story we all know. A young boy hears a giant challenge men and mock God. David watched everyone hide and do nothing about it. Having great faith in God, David was like, “Hey guys, don’t you know that our God will win this one? Someone go out there and kill that man.” I am sure after the laughter was over someone said – “You do it.” And David was like I will. So he turns down the king’s armor and sword and spear. Instead, at God’s direction, he chooses 3 rocks and a piece of cloth. That’s like turning down a couple assault rifles and hand grenades for a BB gun. Not sure there is a lot of common sense there.

Example 3: Me

God called me to take my family and move to Savannah to start a church. At first, it looked like God was going to make it easy to work in Atlanta and still live in Savannah. That way my family would be provided for and I would still be able to work at Canvas. Through a series of events, it did not work out that way. It would go against all common sense to quit my incredible job, ask people to support us and still think my family would provide for me.

The thing is, often when our heart is right, and we are following God, common sense can be our number one enemy. As Christians, we need to replace common sense with simple faith. God will always do what he said He will do. After all, Gideon’s 300 won, David beat Goliath with a rock , and I know God will provide for us.

“ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11: 1

The last few months

I am making an effort to blog more.  I think people can learn about how God is working in me through reading this blog.  My prayer is that people may learn about God and His character through my life and circumstances.  That being said, I know there was a large gap in my blogging that I need to cover to catch up the 5 people who read my blog.

So before the quick blog last week, I blogged in November… to keep this blog from being to long to read, I will hit the highlights.

November was filled with Thanksgiving and college football – GO GA TECH.  I also celebrated my 3 year anniversary with my best friend and love of my life Trisha.   We were still praying about job opportunities in Savannah.  God was teaching me patience.  His timing is best.

December was crazy, very very crazy!! 1st of all it was Christmas (thanks capt. obvious.)  It was a fun time celebrating with our family.  Trey enjoyed the Christmas tree lights and any thing that moved and sang.  My inlaws, with whom we were living, sold their house.  (long time answered prayer.)  My boss told me I could work 3 12 hour shifts allowing me to go ahead and move to Savannah!! (long time answered prayer.)  We found the perfect house to rent in the heart of midtown!!! We were sad it was available but happy to take it.  😉   God showed us He provides in His timing.   We packed up and awaited the first week of the year to move.

January has been a rollercoster ride.  We moved into our new house and started to settle in.  I was off the first 12 days of the year.  It was great.  While we were moving in, my boss called with some news about my new schedule.  She said it wasn’t happening.  I was angry, but I some how had a peace about it.  Not long after that, I celebrated my 27th birthday.  It was cool.  Trisha and Trey met me for lunch. I love when that happens.  I began the hardest thing I have had to do in my life the following week.  I started spending 5 days a week in Atlanta while my family spends it in Savannah.  I drive home to meet them on the weekends.  It is rough.  God and I have had several conversations about it.  (we have had plenty of time with 2- 4 hour car rides a week.)  What it comes down to is this.  1. God knows what is going on.  The phone call from my boss did not suprise Him.  2. God is in control.  His way of doing things is much better than mine.  3. Any amount of hardship is nothing compared to the suffering Christ endured for me.  Who am I to think I deserve any thing more than Christ received.   When I compare myself to anyone it is easy to say I deserve this or that.  When I compare myself to Christ, it is easy to say I am worthless and meaningless and unworthy of everything.  The truth is, apart from Christ, I have no worth and the only thing I deserve is death.  God is loving.  He will have me in Savannah when it is His timing.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. 9. “For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55: 8-9

Canvas launched last week.  2 people who did not know Christ when they woke last Sunday, knew Him when they left Canvas.  What an awesome start.  Worth everything Trisha and I have been through to get here (or almost here as it may be).  The best part is – THAT WAS WEEK ONE!!!! WE GOT A LOT MORE COMING!!  I count it an awesome privalidge to serve an amazing God who desires to be in a relationship with a worthless being like myself.   I am still praying that God would open a door for me to work in Savannah, but I know my God is faithful and will get me a job when He says it is the right time.  Praise to God who cares enough to let me ask things in prayer.