Tonight's Blog for June 7, 2013

Last Night I ended my blog by introducing an approach to writing and preaching that will help to form my approach to a study of Mark's Gospel. It will also help me to keep my focus as I think about important people in my life. Here is my quote, "That is my Story, and I am sticking to it, to the end!" big marv the StoryTeller.

Today, my Story is about my brother Marty, who is 60 today. Amazing! My brother Marty was always smarter than me, and prettier than me and I miss the time when I could drive him

around in my car, with a girlfriend in the back seat. Marty was a better athlete, and had something like 8 varsity letters by the end of his Junior year. I didn't.  While he was smarter, still is, and prettier, yes here too, he was also 14 months younger and I had a car. We were both good guys, so the time was spent with small talk and stolen kisses, which was also ok with me. I love that we weren't just brothers but we were friends, with similar values. He was the president of the youth group, when I was working to make gas money to drive us around. He was in church more than me because I was opening up the store at McDonald's most Sunday mornings because I didn't always get along with our preacher. Most days I was proud of how he looked like a young and good looking Elvis before I knew what that meant. I liked Marty then and I like him now. 

One time I was gonna quit Bible College because of money and how hard it was. Marty was one of the ones GOD used to help me stay. It wasn't a big deal to him, he just called me in the Dorm at Ozark Christian College. All we did was have some small talk, and catch up on things back in New Palestine. All he did was remind me that he cared enough to get my dorm phone number and call. I don't think I ever told him thanks for calling, but I guess that is what I am doing now. Thanks Marty, thanks Mom and Dad, thanks Mary, thanks Myla. I was blessed to be the middle child growing up with you guys to love me and to help me grow. I wasn't always very considerate, but you helped GOD to make me a better person. Tonight I am glad that you are my family. Marty is 60. Amazing! 

Sunday, I am starting a new sermon series, called "StoryTellerS" It is a look at the people in Mark's Gospel and how they were changed by Jesus.  My family made it possible for me to love Jesus, and to love myself, and that is good. "StoryTellerS" is my attempt to help my family at MCC to know how much I love them by helping them to develop their story, their testimony. Have you started writing down a few thoughts about your life? Someday you will be glad if you do. Jesus changed our family by giving us hope. We didn't have to turn out like everyone else. We didn't have to see ourselves as poor or any other categories of people who get looked down upon by others. Dad and Mom were young and could have quit when Mom us all by her 22 birthday, but she didn't. She also made sure we were able to go to school and to church and even combed the second hand places for clothes to wash and iron and we looked pretty good. 

"That is my Story, and I am sticking to it, to the end!"