3 Sunday's Left....

3 Sundays left, about 2-1/2 weeks of being called a 'minister' and getting a paycheck for my troubles...

I have been so busy with EMT stuff, preparing sermons, 'deliberately' stepping back with Young Adult Ministry activities, clinicals, etc. that I haven't had time to think about it much, which is perhaps good. One of my worst traits has always been thinking things over too much, instead of just 'doing' and going with my gut. Getting the basement finished a few weeks ago in the new house was a victory of sorts, as was getting 'moved in' to our new place.

Took my Firefighter Recruit test on Monday, along with a hospital clinical - wondering how much these things really matter in the whole process of convincing a local dept. to hire a 35 year old fart like myself. Think I did ok.

I was originally planning to post reflections on this blog in regards to my thoughts of stepping down from a ministry post, after nearly a decade of being in the vocation. I quickly scrapped that idea, it seemed too narcissistic and smug. There are many reasons, some good, some a tad on the negative side, etc. No reason to open the closet here. Folks that have been curious have asked me, and I have told them.

I can say this; for me being in education, ministry, teaching, preaching, etc., being a 'knowledge-worker', had become soul-crushing. I need to do a little work with my hands, I need to be moving more, I need to see something truly tangible at the end of the day to feel good about what I am doing. That's just me, and I understand everyone is different. And I'm certainly not 'super-mechanically-inclined', either. I just need to be moving, working, and not just in my mind in front of mountains of books and a computer screen.

Yet after 10 years of trying really hard to be a really good minister, I found that I was denying who I really was, and the time had finally come when I didn't even know who "I" really was, except of course "Christ in Me," a la Galatians 2.20. Other than that, I didn't even know what or who I was really like, I had suppressed it for so long.

I hate how cliche that sounds, but I am glad I finally began to see that I was not, never was, cut out to do this sort of thing as a career, mostly for reasons listed above.

Enough already! Too much "Ego Tripping" musing about my current state, which is soon to be jobless.

Pray for my upcoming tests at the end of my EMT course, and that I can get on as a volunteer at a local Fire Dept. as I continue the process....up next, after EMT-Basic Certification, comes ECG and IV certification 'short' courses, then hopefully some ambulance experience, then hopefully paramedic school next summer.....Pray that I can 'miraculously' get hired and a Fire Dept. would put me through Paramedic school, along with Fire Academy....an old dude can always dream, eh?

Peace
Mark

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changeeeessss (Turn, And Face the Strain...)

Here is a copy of the letter I loosely read to the congregation yesterday morning. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but it went well considering. Now everyone knows, and I am happy about that. I am excited about the future more than anything. Keep us in your prayers, lots going on with the 'Colorado Wylies' these days.

To the Body of Christ at University Church;

This morning I have an announcement for the congregation, concerning my future, which is never an easy one to give…

A few weeks ago I tendered my resignation as Young Adult Minister to the Elders of this Body. They have accepted my resignation and have agreed to the date of Sunday, November 22 as my last day on staff at University, roughly 3 months from today.

This decision to step down has not been an easy one; it has required much prayer and discussion with Susan. Through the Spirit’s guidance we are convinced that the time has come for me to leave vocational ministry, and unfortunately this means leaving the current team of ministers, Elders, and staff members here at University, all of whom are friends that I love and respect.

As to why I have come to this decision, I would like to share with you the following:

First, I can say that this decision has not come based upon my displeasure with the current staff, Elders, YAM, or this church. I love this family and it has been an honor to serve at this church. I am not resigning because I am upset or unhappy.
Second, I am not leaving University to be a preacher or minister at another congregation. After nearly 6 years at University and nearly 10 years spent in vocational ministry, I believe the Spirit has shown me that it is now time to step down. As a Christian, I will always minister to others—just not as a paid member of a ministry staff.
I am resigning because, frankly, I have become very spiritually tired—very spiritually burnt out. I have been praying since early March that God would show me what I needed to do; over the last few months it has been revealed to me that my ‘trying so hard to be a good minister’ was getting in the way of my ‘seeking first the kingdom of God.’
Thus, after much prayer and thought, I have decided to act discerningly and out of faith, to be true to who God made me, and resign my post while I still felt positive about my work and my church family.

I want to thank the University Body very much for your patience, acceptance, encouragement and love over the past 5-1/2 years. Since arriving here in January 2004 I have indeed been transformed by the Spirit and for this I am joyful. I do not regret for one second my time spent here. I am especially indebted to my friend and mentor Jerry Selby, whose guidance, patience and encouragement have been invaluable. And of course I thank my wife Susan for her undying patience, love and support since the very beginning.

I want to specifically thank those Young Adults who, over the years, have helped me, worked with me, listened to me, prayed for me, encouraged me; to those Young Adults that accepted me as your minister despite my shortcomings—to those Young Adults that treated me as an actual friend, to those that accepted and loved me for who I was and what I was trying to do—to those Young Adults, you know who you are—and I thank you and love you very much, and I always will. You are indeed family to me.

I want everyone here to know—especially the young adults—that I have always tried my absolute hardest to serve you and serve God to the best of my ability. Believe me, I am certainly more aware than anyone my shortcomings as a minister: And yet if anything I stand here today as a testament to the fact that God can use us for his good will and purpose despite any of our faults or shortcomings. I have given my best effort, and I believe that God has somehow used me towards his ultimate purpose. For that, I have no regret, only joy.

And just so you’ll know, it is Susan and I’s plan to raise our family here in the Denver area, and Lord willing are going to be moving into a new house in the coming month. I am not necessarily sure as to what the future holds, but I can assure you that I am already well on my way to preparing for a new career, and would ask for your prayers as I transition into a new field over the coming year.

Again, I thank you. Susan and I love you, and we always will. It has been an honor to serve.
Mark Wylie

Still haven't purchased calipers, but...

Well, nearly a month later and I still haven't purchased 'fat' calipers, but I still mean to!

But all has not been a loss; currently I have started attempting to work out every day (Mon-Fri) at 6am - I have done pretty good, have missed a few days, but overall it is slowly becoming a habit....I know because nearly two weeks in, and it is really 'painful'!!! A few more weeks and I won't be able to do otherwise!

This in addition to my kickboxing classes.

Waking up at 5:25 isn't that hard; it's the first five minutes in the gym that cause misery, my body asking me each morning, "Hey! What's Going On! Was it Something I said?!?!?"

So first V8, now trying to make early morning workouts a regular habit. I do not share this to brag - if you saw how pathetic my workout attempts are at this point, you'd know I certainly wasn't one to boast. I only share because, if anyone I know reads this, they can encourage me to stick with it - I am lazy and need all the encouragement I can get!

I'd also ask for prayers with the book - I can't believe how quickly a week goes by and so little gets written! I guess I'm getting in the habit of 'writing daily' as well.

I have been presenting some of the material in our Sunday morning bible classes, to different adult classes, and the responses have been incredibly positive. I guess my church is my 'test market'. As I read a few sections of what I have written, I am slowly gaining confidence. I am definitely going to write this book, regardless of if it finds a publisher...It sounds cheesy, but it is the book the Spirit is directing me to write, and it's therapeutic and 'educational' in a way to work on it.

Keep Praying!
Mark

Living (Eternally)

We have only one life to live, but we have all the time in the universe.

We have only one life to live, but that life does not end at death - it doesn't end anywhere, we are here for good(!) What a comforting and sobering thought!

'Cease Striving and Know/ That I Am God' -

Here's the question; If we take seriously the fact that our context is eternity, that our one life to live goes on forever, that these years on this earth are important, sure, but not nearly as important as we pretend they are - How do we live, and live eternally? What does (Eternal) Life look like? Have I not already begun my Eternal Life?

But I have this one life to live, I have to make the most of it, Carpe Deim(!) Yes, the life that we can see playing out on earth is only a nano-second compared to the first few breaths we take in the house of the Lord.

So why so much stress? Put in proper, eternal perspective, are half the things I worry about really worth the worry?

So the things I desire, the things I long for, the honor, the praise, the glory, the esteem, the respect, the legacy - what's it matter once I've walked through God's door and I'm on the other side, where real living begins?

So what does it matter (honestly, logically, easy though hard to train my mind to live in such a way) if I am big or small, important or spare, remembered or forgotten, published or rejected, famous or a nobody, successful or failed, sought-after-speaker or sad-lonely blogger?

God, I ask that you create a new mind in me, a new heart that allows itself to be transformed; let me see how things truly are, and not soon forget - give me proper perspective and allow me to feel your peace and joy regardless of where you lead me...Forgive me for wanting to be so important, so big, etc. It was for good intentions that I grew such ugly ambitions.

So what does matter? How do we live Eternal Life Now?

An On-line article

I just saw today that they put an article I wrote nearly a year ago on www.campuscrosswalk.org. It will probably be at the top of the scroll for a few weeks.

I had to re-read it because, honestly, I had forgotten what it said! It says pretty much the same stuff I always tend to say these days, which isn't particularly a bad thing, I suppose.

Speaking of which, if you haven't seen already, check out www.wineskins.org, for an article I submitted back in March, "Confessions of a Christian Narcissist." You have to scroll down pretty far, but hang in there; I assume it will be up for a few more weeks until it fades completely into obscurity!

Hope all is well with everyone, anyone who actually sees this obscure blog!

Mark Wylie

Be Still! Cease Striving!

"Cease Striving And Know/

That I Am God /

I will be exalted among the nations /

I will be exalted in the earth."

The seeds we sow daily take root and sprout -- we choose the ground on which we plant our cares, our needs, our desires, our attention, our time, our money, our love, our disdain, our best efforts, our worst, our anger, our happiness. We compose a song with way too many notes; a melody that never lets up, even for a quick breath. Taking time out surely means we are lazy - we beat ourselves up if we have accomplished something at the end of the day. We accuse ourselves of being lazy, unfocused, unmotivated, never reaching the bar we set for ourselves. We can list a hundred personal heroes that have been a hundred times more successful by the time they were our age. We want to do more, but the kids wear us out, the job takes our energy, the feeble attempts at exercise amount to little, our breath is still short, we still need to sit and rest. Self-pity sours into self-resentment. Oh me, 'who will deliver me from this body of death?'

Our Father, through the Psalm, reminds us who he is, and what we need to take time each day to be doing. Silence! For Once! Just BE before God! Focus in silence! Bring your cares without saying a word! Where are we right now - whose world have we chose to exist within today? No new programs, no new books, no new lessons, no new resolutions, no new sermons, no new lectures, no new classes!!! These things belong on a much less important shelf- "Be Still, and Know/ That I Am God / I will be exalted among the nations / I will be exalted in all the earth."

Lord, may I cease striving before you and learn first to listen for your still, small voice...I have spoken of things which I know not, I repent in dust and ashes...teach me to be still in your presence...have mercy on me, a sinner. Give me your peace that passes understanding - may I pray in silence before your throne. Amen.

We Are/Are Not Heroes, 3 of 3.

So, what constitutes a “Hero” of Faith? If you examine the heroes of faith in your life, what was it about them that qualified them as ‘hero’ material? What did they do, what did they say, how did they preach, how did they act, how did they affect your life forever afterwards? Would they fit in with the Hebrews 11 “Heroes of Faith” List?

Although I have no idea who your current heroes of faith may be, I would bet they all share the following traits:

1) They are all ordinary people who don’t worry about their legacy or reputation, they just see what needs to be done and they do it. They have learned how to live out the faith that we all share on a daily basis, thus doing the things which we are all supposed to be doing in the first place.

2) They truly understand what Paul is getting at when he claimed that “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”[1] Personal ego now takes a back seat to following the Savior and naturally serving others. I’ll even bet this involves a continual daily stream of prayer.

3) They remembered Christ’s urging to “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,”[2] as well as “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”[3] All of our “Faith Heroes” care little for the glory that will be bestowed upon them in on this earth: All they care about is walking with Christ ---all that embarrassing ‘Faith-Hero’ talk just comes with the territory, I suppose.

Thus, if we wish to emulate our heroes of faith, I’d humbly suggest that we first drop the ego-tripping-worrying-about-our-faith-legacies-how-will-they-remember-us-when-we-are-gone type thinking (we all do it occasionally!) Then we should consider today, and what work needs to be done or who needs to be ministered to, today. Finally, we should even commit to memory and repeat daily the verses listed above. And that’s it. We will be doing the things which we are supposed to be doing in the first place. And I daresay that we all will grow to be ‘Heroes of Faith’ in other people’s minds, even though—heck, we know better: We are not heroes. We just point the way.
[1] Galatians 2.20, ESV.
[2] Matthew 6.33, ESV.
[3] Matthew 16.24, ESV.

We Are/Are Not Heroes, Part 2 of 3 (see below for previous)

What qualifies one as a “Hero” of Faith?

Let’s start with the definition of “Hero.” Upon hearing the word I immediately think of X-men comic books, Star Wars trilogies, and the Lord of the Rings. I think of Spiderman (my favorite when I was little), Superman, and Batman and Robin reruns (“Bif!” “Bang!” Pow!”). Heroes are as old as the Odyssey, as old as the Old Testament. Webster’s defines Hero as “any person, esp. a man, admired for courage, nobility, etc.” I find this definition severely lacking. I would humbly propose that a hero is “anyone who sees what needs to be done and does it, serving the greater good.” This certainly entails courage, nobility, and the unique gifts that heroes seem to possess. It certainly requires a unique selflessness and servant heart that few in this world possess. Let’s put it this way; Superman doesn’t have much of a personal life (despite what Lois Lane might say) – the bulk of his free time is spent saving Metropolis from clockwork impending doom!

This leads me to suggest that Heroes are basically those people that do the things which we are all supposed to be doing in the first place. Thus to be ‘heroic’ is to be called out as special for doing something that we should all be normally doing anyway – Therefore (as more than one nurse christened me) yes I am a hero for donating my bone marrow to some poor guy I don’t even know, quite possibly saving his life…and yet, no I am not a hero just because I simply followed through with a promise I made long ago. I was called to serve, so I served. Simple as that. So yes, I am a hero, and no, I am not.

We Are/Are Not Heros (part 1)

(the following is from an unpublished article I submitted to Campus Cross Walk in August, and never heard back - might as well post it here!)

(Last summer) I had the opportunity to donate blood marrow stem-cells to a leukemia patient whose name I do not know and whose life situation I haven’t a clue—except for the fact that this guy was 52 years old, had leukemia, and would probably meet his maker by this time next year unless they found a donor match. I have no idea if he has a family, I have no idea where he lives, I don’t know if he’s Christian, Muslim, Jewish, whatever—and I certainly don’t know if he’s led a good life. All I know is that I agreed to be a donor 8 years ago at a special screening at my church, and that’s about that.

The process involved multiple blood draws, multiple medical questionnaires, an x-ray, a full physical, and 5 days of two injections in my belly of a medicine that can best be described as “bone marrow steroids.” It culminated with a 5 hour draw to collect the marrow stem-cells from my blood.

Somewhere right now a guy I don’t know has my exact immune system pumping out of his (my) bone marrow, swimming around in his veins, getting used to their new home. He’s certainly not out of the woods yet, for there is an incredibly long recovery period. If he ever decides to contact me, they do not allow him to do so for an entire year –by then, if all is successful, he will have licked his leukemia and more time will have been added to his game clock.

Question: Does this make me a “Hero”?

In sharing my story it is certainly not my intention to call attention to myself, but it begs a great question which I cannot pass up—which, incidentally, leads to another great question:

What is the definition of a “Hero”?

Which leads to an even greater question:

What qualifies one as a “Hero” of Faith?

Music Post

Since January 1, I have purchased a handful of CDs (I'm still old-school, mind you). Only 2 have been recent releases. One is, to my ears, simply astounding. The other is well done, but could have been so much better. Here they are:

1. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion: I got this disc the day it came out in January. I cannot stop listening to it - simple as that. This music feels new, and it makes for an exciting listen. Imagine a postmodern, avant-garde Pet Sounds for our decade, and you pretty much have it. Lots of harmony, lots of cool hooks, lots going on underneath the surface. I have no idea what they are singing about, but the music is simply amazing. It's similar to when I first listened to Radiohead's Kid A back in 2000; you get the feeling that you are hearing something new and different, with just enough melody and hooks to make it sound familiar as well. I wish all young bands were brave enough to make sound collages like this; I bet they do too. I can't really recommend a single standout track, it all sort of flows together, as it should be. Although "My Girls" is a good jumping-off point.
2. U2, No Line On The Horizon: I begrudgingly bought this disc after reading an interview in Rolling Stone a few weeks after it came out. I have been very unimpressed with U2 this decade, especially after How To Dismatle An Atomic Bomb (2004), easily one of my least favorite albums of theirs. So to my surprise, and relief, this new one is pretty good. Darn near classic. The first four tracks are soaring, the last four are excellent - it's the middle 3 songs that just sort of drag the album down into mediocrity. How great this record would have been, if not for "I'll Go Crazy if I Don't Go Crazy Tonight", "Get On Your Boots," and "Stand Up Comedy." It truly would have been the collection of 'Future Hymns' they set out to make. If you lost faith in U2 over the last 7-8 years, 8 tracks on this new album are worth believing in them again. 'Unknown Caller' is the most uplifting song about dying I've ever heard, 'Moment of Surrender' is an incredible hymn, 'White as Snow', 'No Line', and 'FEZ-Being Born' are all standouts. Still in heavy rotation after 6+ months: I can't stop listening to Fleet Foxes from last year, both their self-titled debut as well as their Sun Giant EP. Some of their stuff is just as powerful as any song on Automatic for the People, but with harmonies. Why can't a capella church singing groups sound more like this and less like barbershop?

New on-line article

Hey folks;

I have a new on-line article as of last night. You can find it at www.wineskins.org. They used to be a print magazine at one time, now they are on-line. The title of the article is "Confessions of a Christian Narcissist."

Coming soon, to this very blog, my take on the recent U2 album (yes, I finally broke down and bought it).....Plus the beginning of 'the best secular-band-Christian-songs-in-disguise' list....

Mark

Celebrating Life This Easter Sunday, Prt. 3 of 3

I humbly offer the following: While indeed Easter Sunday may be technically no different than any Sunday in which we take the Eucharist and proclaim Christ’s resurrection until he comes again—it is unique in a sense that the world gives us a free Sunday in which we can shout the message from the rooftops. It is a rare day in which the world may just actually listen, if even for a second. And given the opportunity to make a special evangelistic proclamation on a special calendar day; well, I will gladly take it every time. I am only humbled that through Christ I have an abundant life which grants me the opportunity to do so.

Similarly, every day of her being I celebrate baby Michaela’s life: That certainly will not stop me from lavishing her with gifts and celebration every March 22! So in the end, Easter Sunday may not be technically any ‘different’ than any other Sunday on any other week in any other month. Yet it does afford us a unique opportunity to ‘put on our Sunday best’ before the world and proclaim the Living Christ to many who may very well not hear the message the rest of the year. We celebrate life—especially the Author of Life—every day we are afforded such, with every breath we take: Let us celebrate even more boldly on this special Easter Sunday (April 15 this year), and in doing so remind ourselves what a great thing it is to bask in and share the very light of life that sustains the whole world!

Celebrating Life This Easter Part 2 of 3

Easter Sunday is, before all things, a celebration of the Life of our Savior, whom death could not hold and who lives even today. One Sunday each year the Christian world makes a special proclamation to the entire world that our Savior lives. It’s one of the few days of the calendar year (besides perhaps Christmas) that non-Christians are compelled to stop and consider, if even for a second, this message of Life that Jesus Christ came preaching. It may be the only day of the year in which many hear the core of the gospel proclaimed, the message of such good news it almost seems to good to be true!

Which brings up an interesting and valid question: Are not Christians called to proclaim His resurrection every Sunday? If so, then some might ask why make such a big deal about Easter Sunday. Is it logical? Is it necessary? Is it even Scriptural? I have attended churches that celebrate Easter in a big way; I have attended churches that have gone about the day business-as-usual; I have even been to churches that seemed to go out of their way not to even acknowledge Easter anywhere on the premises. So is this Sunday any more special than any other Sunday of the year, or any other day of the year for that matter?

Celebrating Life This Easter Prt. 1

Last spring, Easter Sunday fell on March 23, the second earliest date on which it can possibly fall. The last time Easter came this early was 1913, and the next time it will fall this early on the calendar will be the year 2160—truly a unique Easter fact that perhaps few of us where aware of at the time.

Last spring, Easter Sunday was the most memorable of my life, though not for the facts mentioned above. It was special for me because my sweet little daughter, Michaela Ann, was born at 7:35am the day before, Saturday March 22. The day before I joined my church family to celebrate the resurrected Life of Christ, I gazed into the big brown eyes of my wife and I’s very own miraculous 6lb. 13oz. little bundle of life.

So each spring hereafter—even if Easter arrives as late as April 25 (which won’t happen until 2038, by the way)—I will always be reminded of the beginning of my daughter’s “post-womb, pre-heaven” life: She might as well have two birthdays each year, March 22 and the Saturday before Easter!