My Sunday School teacher called early on a Saturday morning. “Mark, my store was broken into and completely vandalized. It’ll take days to repair. If you don’t teach tomorrow, then we won’t have Sunday School. How ‘bout it?” I agreed, but only out of pity. Prior to that moment, I had only taught a third grade Sunday School class with my wife. I actually got her to drive to church while I scanned the lesson plan. And I knew I was bad. Because of that experience I skewed spiritual gift tests … [Read more...]

When the cashier handed me change at a convenience store, the Holy Spirit made sure that I saw the tattoo on her hand. It was a small cross. “Is that a cross?” I asked. “Yes,” she said. “I’ve had it on my hand since I was 14 years old.” “Does that mean that you are a follower of Jesus?” “Yes,” she said, but looked around nervously. Nobody was behind me and only a young man who was a co-worker was distracted with a stocking task. Tina’s name badge also said “manager.” “In China,” I … [Read more...]

Even something as simple as checking into a hotel can have kingdom implications. Here’s a story of what God did in one young man’s life: A young man saw me carrying my Bible and said that if I was a preacher, he sure needed to talk to someone before he did something drastic. We stepped out into the parking lot and I prayed for the Lord to work through me. I was ready to provide a gospel witness, listening prayerfully for what to say and do. When he started pouring out his story about just … [Read more...]