mark harris blog

One True God

2009-02-16T20:45:00.000-08:00

I remember the conversation with Jeff Moseley the day that this song idea was born.
I recall him sharing his story about a conversation with a friend in New York regarding who,what and where God is.About a month later,Dave Clark and I wrote this song.I knew at the time that this was a special song that God had given us.The first version of it was titled "That's My King",then we later changed it to "Real Thing".Both of these versions didn't quite hit the mark.
Dave and I went back to the drawing board and wrote another chorus idea to go along with our verses and finally landed on "One True God".
I am so glad that we didn't give up on this idea.The earlier versions of the song didn't do the verses justice and if we had kept it that way,it would have never made the album.
All of this to say that we found out last week that it is the "#1 song" at Christan Inspirational Radio!
I have learned that sometimes to get something right,it takes a little extra.This one took a little extra and then some.But I am grateful we didn't give up on this one.
Thanks to all of you that have listened to and supported this single.I believe in this message and am glad that it is getting out there.
thankfully-mh

A 4him reunion

2009-02-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

I just recently returned from the K-Love cruise.
On this 4 day cruise with many different Christian artist,4him,did a reunion concert.
The night we set sail,we sang together for the first time in roughly 2 and a half years.
It was like riding a bike-everything came back to us very quickly.
It brought back great memories of days and years gone by.
Andy,Marty and Kirk sounded great as always and once again songs that had not been sung in a while were echoing through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Many people aboard the ship were wondering if this was the beginning of a re-union tour.
We kind of laughed it off as the folks would ask,honored,but aware that our 4 lives were busy,wrapped in other responsibilities that would,for now,hinder a full blown,get back together.
This left me reflecting on the days that were.Remembering the first rehearsal in Mobile,before we got on that old first 4him,bus headed to Starkville,MS.,to sing in our first official 4him concert.
Then,remembering so many other great things that the 4 of us shared,through the more than 17 years of traveling together.So much to look back on and be thankful for.To realize how good God had been to us.This reflecting caused me to think of a quote from a radio friend of mine in South Florida.It applies to so many things in life that come our way from family to children,jobs,friendships and so much else. Here is the quote:
"Don't be Sad that it's over-be glad that it happened"
Blessings Friends...

P.S. Enjoy the now-but never forget to look back on all the good things that God has brought your way...and then,say thanks:-)

Matthew is 15!!

2009-01-21T12:07:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a monumental day...
Matthew Ryan Harris turned 15 and passed a barrier en-route to a much bigger barrier...he passed his driving permit test.
He drove me home from the test and did a great job,getting us back home safe and sound..of mind:-)
As I layed down to go to bed last night,I reflected on his 15 years of life and realized what a great young man he is and has become. Matthew is a "one of a kind".He is a very strong and athletic kid,a real leader, that still can give his dad a "good night kiss" or an "I Love You" and not be embarrassed about it.He is a kid that is very committed to living for Christ and already has a ministry to his peers,and I'm not sure he even realizes it.
His longterm goal is to be in the ministry-I pray that goal never changes.
I know this is a dad speaking,but I just wanted to say how awesome he is and how proud I am of him..
Congratulations,Matthew,on turning 15,passing the test,but even more,for being a joy to father and raise...dad

Note the pic of him driving home..not a great picture,but my phone was all I had

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T21:30:00.000-08:00

This Christmas Eve was a very special one for my family..
We went to our church to be a part of a live nativity.
It is a three day event that we do at Bay Community Church every Christmas..tonight we spent the Christmas eve being characters and enjoying the company of some of our church friends.
Matthew was "Joseph" and Maddison was "Mary".Check out the picture that I took of them right before we began.
I loved being a part of this-it is a good reminder of why we celebrate Christmas and it also pulled us away from last minute shopping binges.
My sweet wife Jodie was at home resting her back-she has really been through a struggle lately with a herniated disc.Please keep her in your prayers.
I love this time of year and this particular Christmas is one that I soon won't forget!
I look forward to being with our family in Mobile tomorrow and celebrating the spirit of Christmas with all of them..as well as eating some of my Mothers incredible cooking!
I pray for all of you that read this - that you would have a wonderful and blessed Christmas
Merry Christmas everyone-mh

Daphne High FCA

2008-12-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

This morning I shared with the FCA group at Daphne High in L.A.(Lower Alabama)..I sang a few songs and then just shared from my heart...I was not originally going to share an invitation to meet Christ at the end,but I felt led to do so and boy am I glad that I did..twelve students made commitments or re-commitments to Christ..I am always amazed at God and how he continues to move in this world that we live in.. why he loves us? ..I can't explain,yet I am as certain as anything the he does.Why did he choose to move at Daphne High at 10:00 this morning? because he loves us-he still loves us

I am always praying that I stay in awe of who God is and humbled by his love!

I can't explain the Love of God any better than the old hymn that says:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above,

Would drain the ocean dry,

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Though stretched from sky to sky.

This was originally from an old Jewish Poem-centuries old.

P.S. if you get a chance-check out a song by Jesus Culture.It is called" How he Loves"

it might be under the name Kim Walker

Re:Life is Fun!!!

2008-12-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just need to be goofy!
Obviously my daughter is not as goofy as I am!!!!

Biloxi Concert

2008-12-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday night,I had a concert in Biloxi,Ms.
It was a Christmas concert close to home,which is always nice!
What made this concert all the more special is that my daughter Maddison sang with me.
It was the first time that she has ever performed on stage with me and one of the first times that she has ever performed on stage period.
She did a fantastic job-I was so proud of her..
It was a beautiful event.My wife and son (Jodie and Matthew) were there as well as my uncle and his family..
Here is a little picture that my uncle sent to me from the event-that is Maddison on the left>>
blessings-mh

Roll Tide!!!!

2008-12-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

I am a "BIG" Alabama Football fan...I am so surprised by this season-I never thought that we would be playing in the SEC Championship game,and even being mentioned in the National Championship talk..I am aware of the fact that we may not win the game tomorrow,but getting here is more,much more than I expected.
We play Florida tomorrow at 3pm central on CBS-if we win..awesome if we lose...I am still happy with the Crimson Tide..just being here is already a win for my team..
Let me say that I think we can win the game if we play the kind of football we are capable of playing..I also have a lot of respect for the Gators and Tim Tebow...what Christian Football fan doesn't appreciate his witness?
Anyway-ROLL TIDE!!!

River's Rider's Ranch

2008-11-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

This past Monday I had the priveledge of being with my good friends Jon,Sherry and Lexi Rivers at the ranch in Forrestburg,TX.
Jodie,Luke and Julie were with me and were on KLOVE in the morning coast to coast with Jon and Sherry.
If you have never listened to KLOVE go to www.klove.com and you will hear great radio and not to mention it's Christian...They do what they do with such amazing excellence!
I love going to the ranch-it is such a peaceful place and is a picture of what I think we all see in our minds as being Texas!
We had a blast as usual and once again I was reminded of how much I appreciate and love the Rivers' family
Here is a picture of us all at the Ranch in the studio...
From left to right it is,Me,Jodie,Sherry,Jon Julie and Luke..
KLOVE is playing the song Christmas Is(The Duet with Maddison)during this Christmas season.
Thank you KLOVE for playing the song and for your ministry of bringing Hope,Love and Peace to people all over the country this season!
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
mh

The Most Beautiful Voice

2008-11-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

I have a new Christmas ep out...it is available only through my website and concerts..but what excites me the most about this project is that my daughter,Maddison,is singing with me on a song..Go to http://www.myspace.com/markharris go to the player and choose "Christmas Is" from the list...
It is a song that I wrote a few years ago with Reggie Hamm and Jim Brickman..it was a perfect fit for me to do a duet with my daughter.She is 13 years old and I know I am the dad,but I think she has such a beautiful,pure voice..
The other two songs from the six song ep that are on the myspace site are Silent Night and Little Drummer Boy-the other songs on the ep are A Strange Way to Save the World,Carolers Song and Emmanuel-all three are originals..It was a lot of fun doing this 6 song ep and I look forward to putting out a full Christmas album soon..
If you want to purchase the new Christmas ep-go to www.markharrisonline.com
and you can order it there..

Blessings to you and an early Merry Christmas.... - mh

abandon,depart,withdraw

2008-11-20T18:59:00.000-08:00

When it comes to marriage,the thing that most couples are constantly challenged with is "spending time together"....I know that Jodie and I are constantly trying to figure out how to slice "our time" out of the busyness of life..

I was at a conference several years ago singing and Kenny Luck from Saddleback was the featured speaker..He said something that night that has stuck with me and continues to challenge me..
In order to have a healthy marriage,couples need to "Daily Depart,Weekly Withdraw and Annually Abandon"

Jodie and I are in Dallas-doing the abandon part of that challenge..She seldom gets to go with me and when she does,it usually involves a real busy schedule...our time here is pretty laid back and tonight we had dinner at one of our favorite spots-The Cheesecake Factory!!
We ate so much dinner that we didn't have room for dessert...is it a sin to go to Cheesecake Factory and not eat dessert?...I wonder..

Anyway,I sing at Gateway Church this Saturday and Sunday and our friend Thomas Miller invited us,as a couple,to come a little early and get some r&r...we really needed the get away and once again I am reminded of the "annually abandon" part.

I realize that sometimes the hardest thing to put in the schedule of my day,is time to just talk with my wife,even though we live in the same house..when the kids were small,Jodie used to call it "couch time"...even more so-it is tough to find a date night or even a date lunch during the week to get our"weekly withdraw"in..

For any married man or woman reading this blog,my prayer for you is that you would be challenged to set aside time as a couple to do the three of these,so that your marriage is the rich and rewarding marriage God has planned for it to be..I guess it is just like anything else-you get out of it,what you are willing to put into it!!

Daily Depart,Weekly Withdraw and Annually Abandon!!

P.S.
If you haven't heard it yet-go to my website and check out the song "CHRISTMAS IS"
That sweet angelic voice that you hear singing with me is my daughter Maddison..

The Feast

2008-11-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Just got back from an amazing event at our church called "the Feast".It is an annual event that we hold for our youth every Thanksgiving...somehow this year I got tabbed to fry the turkey's...needless to say,there is a lot of pressure on the guys frying the Turkey..if for some reason,and there are many,the turkey is not done or overcooked,it can ruin "the Feast".
We had 238 kids at this event and it turned out great..the turkeys were cooked to perfection..because we had a friend there that cooks turkeys in a fryer every year..

...earlier in the day,I sang at a celebration/funeral for Brianna Parrish.It was a very touching ceremony.The church was packed at 2:00 in the afternoon..It is a tragic situation,that has gripped this area and is more than likely going to end up being a rape/murder..Brianna is a 21 year old christian girl that grew up in our church,had moved away and was back home visiting.She was abducted and found dead..Her family showed an amazing strength during the service and I truly believe that any unsaved person that attended,had to be affected by the service..The family has formed a new organization called "Brianna's Bond" that will serve to help young ladies become aware of the dangers and ways to avoid the type of situation that Brianna had to endure..

If you can remember to lift her family up in prayer-The Parrish family(Bruce and Sylinda)..

I head to Dallas tomorrow to be with my friends at Gateway Church..then I will be live Monday on K-Love network with my friends,Jon,Sherry and Lexi Rivers...my lovely wife,Jodie is making the trip with me...

Be checking back on the website for a special surprise announcement regarding my new Christmas ep-titled "Christmas from the Writers Room"...there is a surprise guest on the project!!!!

Here is the album cover artwork

later...mh

Billy Graham's Prayer

2008-11-12T20:48:00.000-08:00

I came across this prayer today and thought it was pretty insightful and hope those who read my blog will be moved by it-

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Author-Billy Graham

Christmas From the Writers Room EP

2008-11-11T03:59:00.000-08:00

Well folks....we are putting the final touches on the Christmas ep and about to send it off for manufacturing...Luke,my road manager,and I have been a two man band on this mostly acoustic project.

I have definitely enjoyed the challenge of recording this 6 song album at home.It is truly amazing what can happen when two musically inclined people get together with a laptop in a living room and say "hey lets record an album".hmmmm!

The album has guest soloist on it.I will keep that a mystery for now.There are some new songs on it and some old carols redux! I can honestly say that I am very proud of how it has turned out.The Mcpherson guitar has never sounded better-this instrument is as near perfection as it comes!

If you want to hear some of the tunes just go to my website www.markharrisonline.com and take a listen

till next time...God Bless mh

Home Town Concert

2008-10-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Just did a concert at Fairhope First Baptist-what a beautiful new building they have!
I am always a little nervous when singing in front of a home crowd-but this particular night had such a peaceful,sweet spirit..
I had the band with me-Luke,Dave,Clynt and Ben(Gentle Ben)-I always love it when I can use the full band-those guys are great players!
It was a centennial celebration and also a month of breaking in the new building-I was honored to be a part-My wife and kids were there as well as many other family members...even Kirk Sullivan showed up.I had Kirk come up and sing Basics of Life and as usual he sounded brilliant-what a voice!
I have a few weeks of being off of the road and home-finishing up the Christmas ep-should be done at the end of this week!
later-mh

Maddison's Birthday Party-The Big 13!!

2008-10-20T07:03:00.000-07:00

Yee Haw!!
We had a "Western Themed" birthday party last night at our house for my beautiful daughter,Maddison.
She had about 20 friends over for an eventful two hours filled with a riddle filled scavenger hunt and a jerky spittin' contest..It was a blast!
The scavenger hunt was digital photo driven and was eventually won by the blue team-who found the porta-potty and yellow dumpster.
By the way would you know "What is filled with holes but still holds water?"That was the style riddle that had to be answered,then found and photographed.
The jerky spittin' contest was won by Marley Brunson and John Myers Stockton.They both spit a chunk of jerky 15 feet- pretty impressive,huh!!
I would include a picture of the jerky spittin' in action,but I am afraid that the winners wouldn't appreciate the action photo-not too flattering:-)
However,here is a photo of the whole birthday gang....Happy Birthday to my sweet 13 girl,Maddison!!

Matthew's Homecoming Dance

2008-10-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

Multiple post?......I know,I have been storing up info!

Matthew,my son,just went to his first homecoming dance.It was one of those "rite of passage" moments..I was so proud of the way he handled his first big homecoming.His date was a beautiful young lady,Emily Harper.They have been friends for many years and are more pals than anything else.(Not a boyfriend/girlfriend thing)
All of the parents were the host for the dinner.I grilled steaks and we all served the food at one of the homes.It was as much fun for the parents as it was for the kids:-)
Here is a picture of Matthew with my wife,Jodie-right before we served them dinner!
mh

Fields of Faith

2008-10-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Hey All-
Last Wednesday we had an FCA event at Spanish Fort High School that was absolutely awesome!
It was called "Fields of Faith" and was attended by 200-250 students from Spanish Fort High.
I led some worship along with the icon youth band at BCC.It was great to see the kids lifting there voices and hands in worship,unashamed of acknowledging their creator in front of their peers!
Here is a snap shot of the whole gang out on the baseball infield-Our baseball coach,Tommy Walker,at SF high is an outspoken Christian and the Campus rep for FCA!
Several Kids made decisions for Christ-God is moving in this small community!!
To Make Him Known-mh

Chicken Pox!!!!!!!!!

2008-09-30T08:12:00.001-07:00

My son,Matthew,has Chicken Pox.
He is 14 and is a little old to get the virus,so it has been a big bummer for him.
It has been nice having him at home with us,but he is more than ready to go back to school!
He first started getting the dog-gone things last Thursday and has since been covered with them.I would post a picture,but that would not be kind.
Kudo's go out to his high school football team,the Spanish Fort Toro's-5-0..It is only the 3rd year for Toro football and they are undefeated so far.Matthew is a freshman,but dresses out with the varsity.He missed last Friday's game because of the Chicken Pox..
Luke and I are still working on the acoustic Christmas project.It should be finished mid October!
that's all for now-blessings friends, mh

Maddison's Braces

2008-09-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

My daughter,Maddison,is now "brace free"...and my,my what a beautiful smile she has!!!!

I am so happy for her-she has endured the metal mouth for 2 years and can now see the value in wearing the braces and rubber bands!She is about to turn 13...yikes!I can't believe that my little girl is going to be a teenager:-0

She is such a talented young lady,but more than that she is a very godly girl that loves Christ and lives (for him) or should I write (4him)...She has one of the most beautiful voices that I have ever heard from a 12 year old girl.She is a budding piano virtuoso and has a great ear for music-she can already hear and sing parts!!

I know-I am a bragging dad-but I am proud of her...

Here is a picture of her and I just yesterday.

Blessings-mh

Leaving a Legacy

2008-09-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

Last weekend,I had the opportunity to sing at Cinco Baptist in Fort Walton Beach,FL.After the concert a lady approached me and had me sign a cd for a family that had just lost a 15 year old son,who was tragically injured at a local football game.When I got home on Monday,I looked up the story of that young man.I was saddened for the family,knowing how great a loss that would be for myself,having a 14 year old that plays football as well.
This young man obviously had a lot of influence at his school in Niceville.FL.His name is Taylor Haugen,and according to all the local news stories,he was a handsome,vibrant,always smiling young Christian man.Many stories tell of how his death has brought the reality of the uncertainty of life to many of his peers.Some have given their life to Christ,as a result.
Last Wednesday,I had the honor of speaking at the kick-off FCA meeting at Spanish Fort High School,where my son attends.I shared Taylor's story with the 85 students that were there.I gave a challenge at the end of the story and 14 kids commited or recommited their life to Christ!!
Taylor's legacy lives on.It reaches beyond the boundaries of his local area and has impacted,the eternity of students,in my home town.
I can imagine young Taylor Haugen,"running with the angels on the streets made of gold" in heaven,instead of the football field,at the Eagles stadium in Niceville,FL..Even though he no longer will walk this earth,the strength of this young man's testimony will live on and on.I have always heard that it is not how long we live,but HOW we live that matters.
Taylor showed us how to live-to live for Christ!
Let his story inspire you to never waste a day,but to seize the moment and live life to the fullest.Start right now-Living a Legacy-Living for Christ!!!

It might sound Sappy,but........

2008-09-05T02:54:00.000-07:00

I have been so blessed!
I have to sometimes stop and remind myself of all the good things that God has blessed me with...There is no way I deserve all that I have been given.Take my lovely wife,Jodie for example.She is an unbelievable woman.I sometimes (confession time) overlook all that she is and does-and no,I am not writing this in any way to Brown Nose her!(She doesn't ever read my blog)
I just,without her knowing,want to go on record as saying that she is incredibly beautiful-starting from the inside out..I was watching Sarah Palin(the newest Star in our world) the other night and immediately thought-I have that kind of woman in my house...Graceful, Beautiful,Strong,Honest and above all Godly.
She is the only reason that I have been able to travel all these years.I have never left home for a concert,and wondered or worried about whether or not everything would be ok back home..
She gracefully lives her life,doing mostly for others(which includes me in a major way).
She never gets the applause like I do and has never once complained or acted jealous..She is my greatest counselor-I always know that she will discern and see through my situations,good or bad,better than I can...She is an incredible Mother-my kids hit the jackpot by getting her as mom!She is a great friend to her friends-fun,reliable and trustworthy..She is a great advocate to have for your cause-if she is on your side,you will win..She is the best..simply the best!!
I just wanted all of you that read my blog-to know what I think of her...Jodie-my lovely wife

PS-I would say..that after almost 20 years of marriage,that I still consider her HOT!!
I can say that-She is my wife!!

Hurricane Gustav

2008-09-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Well....I got home yesterday from a trip to Coburg,Canada.I was anxious to make it back home to get ready for Gustav!I made it back with no hitches...amen:-)
I had a great time at Lakeshore Pentecostal Camp.It is a beautiful camp on the lake,east of Toronto.It was my second trip to the camp and I must say it was just as wonderful of a place as I had remembered.Pastor Craig and his wife Wendy were great host and made this "Southern Alabama" boy feel very much at home!
If you are ever in Coburg,you have to check out the beach area,you will wonder if you are really in Canada...also,go eat breakfast at the Buttermilk Cafe..a real treat!
Back to Gustav-it has rained here all night and morning..Fortunately we have avoided any of the hard weather-I do not wish it on anyone else,but I am glad it missed us.
Let's pray for New Orleans and all of that area.They have been through too much already and need to catch a break!
Blessings to all!
P.S. Kudo's to Sen.McCain for taking the emphasis off of politics and putting it on the people during this tough time

Spanish Fort High Football WINS!!!

2008-08-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

My son Matthew is a Freshman at Spanish Fort High.

He is dressing out with the Varsity and the first game was last night!

Spanish Fort was not supposed to win this game and was playing a highly ranked team in the state!Kudo's to the team..it was a team effort and in the end the score was Spanish Fort (27)-J O Johnson (8)..I handled the hamburger cooking for the concessions..I cooked over 250 burgers and I didn't even eat one

Our JV game is Tuesday night against in county rival,Fairhope..I will,of course,keep all informed.

College Football is back..amen

P.S. check out the varsity picture of my sons team,kinda hard to see,huh?

that could be any team,but I promise it's his team and he is 1st row 5th from right

Politics again-

2008-08-28T04:10:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the tease!

I posted absolutely nothing the other night and didn't know that it:-)

I guess it was a wise thing-I have always heard that it is better to keep politics a personal thing and voice your convictions about Faith!

I do have strong opinions about politics,but I have much stronger convictions about faith...

Some might say that the two can't be seperated and in many ways I agree!

But,I do believe that we must be Christians first and never lose sight of that..

I have stuck my foot in my mouth plenty of times,arguing my "side" of a political argument,losing any opportunity to influence the conversation spiritually...

That's all I guess I should say about that!

Thanks to all of you that have voted on the new single-If you haven't yet done so,go to (markharrisonline.com) and follow the instructions on helping to choose the new single!!

politics

2008-08-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Fay

2008-08-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

We are readying for tropical depression Fay!

It should be a lot of rain,that's all.

Bummer is ,it is the big day for our Spanish Fort Football teams.We call it Toro Day.It is when all of our youth teams along with middle and high school play a round robin of football all day long!

I already mentioned that I love football,none more that watching my son,Matthew play...He is an all around good athlete and more that that a great kid..Most importantly,he loves the lord!

Anyway,I will keep you informed on the weather down here....and football as well:-)

As I write this blog,I am listening to Savior King by Hillsong.What a great annointed song!

-to make HIM Known-mark

Simons Big Day

2008-08-21T07:29:00.000-07:00

Simon,our little dog,had his 9th birthday yesterday!
We got him a cookie cake that he couldn't eat..My question is,who was that cookie cake really for?He didn't get a bite,we got several bites..Doesn't sound fair to me!
Anyway,I also should mention that my birthday was August 1st and I didn't get a cookie cake..I guess the moral of the story in my home is"It is better to give a cookie cake,than recieve a cookie cake.Givers eat the cookie cake,getters don't"
Stupid?I agree!
Here is a picture of Simons Big Moment!

Working on a Christmas project

2008-08-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hey All Y'all-How's that for southern speak?

Just started working on a new Christmas project.

It will be a mixed Christmas project,filled with 5 originals and 5 standards.

I can't give titles yet,but stay tuned in for updates!!

The pictures are of me at the mic and luke at the board in the studio doing some pre-production on the album!

This is fun work-I have always wanted to do a Christmas recording and this will be very acoustic,with a very warm and traditional Christmas sound:-)

Check the not so great pics out!

Home Sweet Home

2008-08-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

It is great to be home.It is Sunday and I have been home for about 4 days.I just finished a weekend of leading worship at Bay Community Church.What a great church!!

It is absolutely one of the most exciting things that I have ever been a part of.To be able to sit under the teaching of Jerry Taylor and to work with a bunch of folks that I truly love.I have been the Worship Pastor/Artist in Residence here for 3 years now and I must say it has transformed my life.I really feel it has opened up a new perspective in me as far as what I do as an Artist on the road.I love seeing the change in peoples lives from a churches perspective-I have seen this church triple in size over these 3 years...and yes,I know it's not always about numbers,but it does let me know that we are impacting people,because as we are growing numerically, I also see the new folks growing spiritually!!

I am also,blessed to have the greatest secretary in the world...my wife,Jodie-she keeps my whole world running smoothly.....Don't think I am brown-nosing,she doesn't read my blog!!!

To make HIM known-Mark

College Footbal

2008-08-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Roll Tide!!!

I am a big college football fan-actually a big "Crimson Tide" fan.

I love football season.There is nothing like a Saturday in the fall,with games on all day long!

My Road Manager,Luke,is a big Georgia Bulldog fan-his team is picked 'numero uno' this season and for his sake I hope they do well.I like Mark Richt their head coach and think he is a great man of God!

Anyhoo-I look forward to enjoying the Football season with all my football crazed family and friends!

blessings

Olympics

2008-08-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

Wow-I love the Olympics!!

I am in South Bend,Ind. at a great conference for Pastors-leading worship each night.The treat at the end of every night is getting to the room and watching the Olympics on the tube!

As usual-I miss my family and look forward to getting home,but this has been a sweet trip.

I started in Peoria on Saturday and went to Carlinville Sunday and then ended up here in South Bend Monday-Wednesday of this week!It has been 4 great days of ministry and Friendship so far!!It has been great to see my friend David Sumerall from the Phillipines! His ministry in Manilla has been nothing short of amazing-I look forward to getting back there sometime soon!!

blessings!

roadblog

2008-07-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

I have started blogging.
I have been inspired by all of you..my friends.Your blogging has caused me to search deep and find my inner blogger...so here is the start!
I just got back from Maine and Boston.I spent some time at Chop Point Camp in Woolwich,ME.
Wow,what a place.If you want to check it out go to www.choppoint.org I love the folks up there!!
I took Maddison,my daughter,on this trip with me.It was a great father-daughter trip.I totally enjoyed hanging with my girl.We ate way too much lobster and had too much fun laughing at ourselves.
I had three great concerts on this trip in Boston,Woolwich and Bangor!
Tomorrow we leave for my inlaws in the Carolina mountains.
Thanks for reading my first blog...I promise it will get better as I go...
later-Mark