Tag: Belief

God, Life, Writing

In the End

Mark Wayne

In the end do not become someone who you never were. #Quote #Poetry #Encouragement #Motivation

Be you, for if you are not no one else could be.

A recent experience led me towards becoming someone who I am not. Through the grace and mercy of Yah and my beautiful wife I have been comforted by Holy Spirit in gentle correction from the lies I was allowing myself to believe.

Now I am holding on the truth of who I was created to be and my destiny. I am claiming the blood of Yeshua over my heart and actions, purposing to follow and live my dreams moving forward.

Now I encourage you to believe in the one who came so that we may have life abundantly. Now go and ⬇️

Life, Stories

The DAY AFTER, and What Do You Do With That?

Mark Wayne

Every major life event, every holiday, every milestone, every anniversary, every accomplishment or disappointment is followed by the day after, and what do you do with that?

“So, this was it I thought, no trumpets, no angels singing hallelujah, no bright light, no  nothing,… she was just gone.”

One line, no explanation, no context from my upcoming memoir ‘Cowboys Are Not Supposed to Cry’

As this post goes live today, December 26, is the day after Christmas 2020 🎄and a week from now will the day after New Years Day 2021 🎉. Is it just me or do you experience pangs of melancholy during this supposed festive time of good will and frivolity?

So what can we do?

  • Pause – rest in the moments and let the world move on.
  • Anchor – revisit the memories and breathe in the feelings that come.
  • Believe – in hope for tomorrow until our journey through this life is done.

There are reasons to live
There are reasons to die
But the end’s not the end
While you’re still alive

~The lyrics above are from the song ‘There Was a Life’ from the album Night Castle by Trans Siberian Orchestra. Tomorrow is coming, so with faith and hope go…

God, Life

Living the Paradox

Mark Wayne

We live in the paradox of our existence. Our world is small compared to the universe. Even in comparison to our planet that revolves around the sun here in this little corner of the galaxy. There is so much unexplored and unknown, both out there and within the human heart. And yet, we have eternal significance and worth just as we are to a sovereign and holy god. Do you believe that?

And what are we to make of that? #MondayBlogs #MondayQuestions #MondayMotivation #YouMatter #JustBelieve

God, Grief, Life, Writing

Though He Slay Me…

Mark Wayne

Though he slay me, I will hope in him. ~Job 13:14 #Encouragement #Faith #Motivation

It has been a rough last few weeks. Truth be told it’s been a rough past few months and even the whole year of 2020. I am not even talking about COVID-19, stay at home orders, social distancing, fears of infection from the virus, racial and civil unrest or even the current chaos of our political system.

Simply said my family has watched a beloved member’s health slowly decline. So much so that in the end it is hard to see who they once were. Illness and disease can do that to you.

Yet we can still hold hope, for ourselves and others, of better days ahead. As Job’s faith stayed fast even during his trials, I pray that we can all do the same.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Stay the course, live your dreams, and just believe, hope lives.

God, Life, Poetry

A Crisis of Faith?

Mark Wayne 
I have lost my faith, 
not my belief
my faith. 

I have misplaced it,
and it cannot
be found. 

I will still search,
searching no
matter.

I will hold my faith,
with tenacity
at best.

I still will believe,
crying out
to you.

I  still will trust,
your truth in
my unbelief.

“I do believe; help my unbelief.” ~Mark 9:24

Do you struggle in the area of faith and belief?

This past week we lost our beloved dog, Sadee Jayne ❤ (See this week’s Wordless Wednesday photo of her.) She was the fourth member or our pack and we had twelve wonderful years together. Her death has rekindled many memories of grief for me. Thus leading me to lots of questions, similar questions to those I have written about in my upcoming memoir ‘Cowboys Are Not Supposed To Cry.’

I know I struggle not in losing my faith but in misplacing it if you will. It tends to ebb and flow when I allow my belief to be based on my emotions and what is happening to me and around me. Often building my faith on a precarious stack of rocks instead of on the rock. I believe we need to focus more on the truth that does not change.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” ~Hebrews 13:8

What do you think?

Life is often a balancing act!

God, Life, Poetry

The Truth is We All Need Saving

Mark Wayne
Only you can save my soul.
Only You Can Save My Soul.

Only you can save my soul and drive my demons away. The only truth that can save a wretch like me. #Poetry #Quote #Writing #Faith #JustBelieve

With the lock downs and stay at home orders over the recent months it has been a while since my family has actually attended a live church service. This little poem is an attempt to capture the false sense of security we seek within the church that can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is not in a great worship band, the music and lights, dynamic preaching, or even the fellowship we find in connecting with others. All good things no doubt but they can also lead us to put our faith and trust in “the sweet poison of the false infinite” to quote C.S. Lewis.

We need more than that for our broken hearts and to slake the longing within our souls. The church with all it’s good intentions can often be a place that unfortunately hurts us and alienates us even further from God.

We do not need slick presentations and entertainment we need truth. The truth is we need him now more than ever to save us from ourselves and we all need him to save us.

#JustBelieve #HopeLives #LoveChangesPeople

Sometimes there is no justice only mercy. (James 2:13) #Truth #Faith #Believe

God, Life, Writing

What Will This Experience Teach Us?

Mark Wayne
For more be sure to follow my two accounts on Twitter – @MWSchutter and @AHorseShowDad and on Instagram – @mwschutter and @AHorseShowDad Thanks!

“Experience is the most brutal of teachers but you learn, my God, do you learn” ~C.S. Lewis

So in the midst of adversity and challenges that we did not anticipate nor wish for, we can only persevere and attempt to learn from the experience. I wonder years from now what will history say about this time in which we find ourselves living and what will be said about us as individuals, nations and the world?

I pray that we learn. And use this experience to do better and to correct any mistakes in the future. Like Solomon I pray for wisdom each day in the choices I make. Those that affect my family, my friends, those I work with and others that may be touched by the ripples I create.

5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”

Solomon’s Prayer

6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

God’s Answer

10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. ~1 Kings 3:5-9 (NASB)

May our leaders also being praying for and asking for wisdom. So, how are you doing with during this time? Are you affected by any stay at home orders?

I would love to hear your thoughts. Stay safe my friends and God bless! 😊

Life, Writing

A Rare and Curious Phenomenon?

Mark Wayne

In the midst of the times in which we currently find ourselves, I find this quote from Thomas Wolfe all the more appropriate. As we isolate, self-quarantine and social distance from one another the sense of loneliness can inevitably grow. Leading to heightened anxiety and stress levels, lowering our immune systems even more.

So how do we combat this while maintaining our boundaries to curtail the spread of infection? How do we maintain connection with others? A few tips:

  • Use technology wisely – text messaging, video chats and even the age old phone call. However, be cautious as to what you consume through social media as this can be overwhelming and add to the anxiety.
  • Eat healthy and stay hydrated – cut out as much junk food as you can and avoid large amounts of alcohol.
  • Get moving – even with all the requests and directives to not venture out or shelter in place you can still exercise. Either at home or by going for a walk, jog or bike ride. The fresh air and sunshine can have a good effect on your mood.
  • Take up a hobby virtually – something you have always wanted to learn. There are a plethora of options for on-line learning available to us. Note: see first bullet.
  • Keep your pets close – the unconditional love they give is the best.
  • Keep the faith!

This affects us all and we are all in this together.

#JustBelieve #HopeLives #LoveChangesPeople