#nofilter

Posted by tmark on May 27, 2016
Posted in: the blog, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , . 5 Comments

20160525_153511#nofilter- just pure, un-messed with, what-you-see-is-what-you-get, this is how it is, straight-up truth, the real deal, un-cut, un-opinionated, un-biased and untouched in any way.

and yet… its so much harder than it sounds.

Our perceptions of things are all ‘filtered’ through our own experiences. Our lives have made us who we are and we have been shaped by so many things. Things we have been told, things we have done, things we have believed and things we have seen all swirl around at millions of miles an hour in our brains constantly and we use all those resources to make ‘sense’ of where we are and what we are thinking and feeling.

So our perceptions filter things all the time as we receive inputs, and our brains can ‘see’ a lot of things that may or may not be real- they way someone says something- the way someone looks at you-

(and that’s just our side of the story)

As people do and say things- they might be ‘filtering’ things a certain way- ‘painting a different picture’ or ‘putting a different slant, spin or face on things- couching things and adding subtle subliminal messages to nuance the situation, etc’

Then consider, the different and changing meanings of words and expressions….- and then there are different languages , and then try to imagine translating things (!) …. (you get the picture) (see Malcolm Gladwell, Blink (great book)

Communication could seem impossible… but its not.

It’s just mostly impossilbe. (like ‘mostly dead’ from Princess Bride)

Gods Love. Its is poured out everywhere throughout creation- we have the ability to see beauty in lots of different ways- God put all that there for us to experience- and then He visited mankind in Jesus to make it even clearer.

It’s too simple for us-

Our filters do too much and we cannot ‘see’ what should be obvious.

But children understand – remember when you were little – you had no problem believing in God or believing that He loves you…

Jesus said  “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Luke 18:17)

What is up with all our complications? Are we smarter now that we have ‘filtered’ and ‘complicated’ things?

Gods Love has not changed. -if you are reading this- you can still get closer to God. God is so pure that He is the definition of #nofilter. His love for you is almost terrifying. It is so complete – that’s why we try to ‘busy ourselves’ and do things because we are hiding from Him. (even Christians do this) (even I do this)

So- I am gonna try to surrender more and yield more and put away more of whatever silly things have been ‘busying’ my time and life and stop making excuses for the way I am and get real with my creator who does not filter His love for me, but pours it out freely.

take the #nofilter challenge-

Pray: Jesus, thank you for your love for me and I am sorry for all I have done to clutter up my life- help me to make you Lord in my life and change my inner man to be more like you, so that I can be a clear representation of You. (my dear friend, Bobbi Lawhon said ‘I might be the only ‘Bible’ people ‘read’ and I want to represent Christianity as something that is desirable, attainable and achievable’)

thank you.

 

Puppies

Posted by tmark on April 26, 2016
Posted in: the blog, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 Comment
2016-03-13 14.33.07

Five weeks old

I have owned one dog- (borrowed, really) Her name was Thumbalina and she was a Great Dane- all black and she did not have her ears done-so, she looked like a black lab (a big one) until she moved around, and then she was like a piano moving around (except faster)

I’ve been married for 30 years and we just had some significant birthdays so I suggested getting the puppy we have been talking about for a year- I found a breeder here on the Cape and in early March we went to pick out a puppy. (here is the link)

http://waldfriedenaussies.weebly.com/

We chose the Australian Shepherd & Labrador mix known as Aussidors

We had 4th pick of 9 puppies -but it occurred to me that we could get 2 puppies- Why not? I’ve never had a puppy and my wife never had a puppy and -they can play together and -they will keep each other company and -they will be so cute together- So we did. Two puppies.

Some people tried to warn us- but where were they when I was on my way to see these cuties? (I’m glad they weren’t with us!)

We got these 2 cute puppies and named them Quinn (short for quinquagenarian) (Quinn-qua-gin for short or Quinn-binn) and Mozzie (aka mozz,  Captian Black Leg, mozzle-nozzle, mozzel-tov, mozzie-mittens, mozzie-mayhem, pasta-mozzule, rasta-pasta-mozzule and like one more nickname each day)(as a tribute to Dave Thompson the great nick-namer)

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Quinn

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Mozzie

Quinn is definitely more Lab than Shepherd and acts a lot like a dog- Mozzie is more Shepherd and acts like a little Jewish mother- keeping an eye on Quinn and saying stuff like: ‘don’t put that in your mouth- don’t touch that- get back over here, you’re going to hurt yourself- etc)

Quinn has one blue eye (common among Aussies) and we heard that it is good luck because, according to Native American legend, it will ward off evil spirits- but, so-far it just seems to be warding off ‘brains’. Aussies are known as ‘really smart dogs’ so I put up a copy of the periodic table by their crate but, they don’t seem to care.

Dogs view the family as a pack and blend in and find their place etc- in our ‘pack’ each puppy thinks that the pack has all the family members and ‘a dog’ (they both think the other one is the dog)

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Camouflage Training

Sharing your Life with a Dog-

God arranged Dog’s lifespans so that we could have many dogs in our one life. Although your dog is in your life for a short time, relatively speaking, your dogs whole life is spent with you. (whoa, mind=blown)

God actually made animals first- (think about that) -He probably used to hang out with the animals and play with all of them. Rabbi Kushner interprets Gen 1:26 in context with the animals, God makes the animals and then says- lets make a new thingy- part teeth, hair,  eyeballs etc, like you animals and part ME- Spirit. Kind of a special ‘hybrid’- flesh and spirit in one thingy- let’s call it :”Man”. Then he let Man name the animals (like letting your kids name their pets- kinda cute actually)

So- we are now sharing our lives with a couple of cute, ‘wild’ animals. We brought them to a puppy orientation class- and they slept thru it (on our laps) We are committed to training up these wonderful little doggies and we have stacks of books and advice flowing in upon us-

9 weeks
-and growing

‘therapy dogs’ -oh, ya- these puppies are ‘therapy’. They started right away by putting us on an early morning ‘face-the-day-while-its-still-dark’ schedule to break us of any comfort and old habits- then they love us to death and make us laugh out loud.

God is using them to enhance my life and I am grateful. (everybody in the Bible had animals) #prettycool

PS; I feel like my Mom, up in Heaven, is happy for me- (she would probably even want to hold them-! (and all my cousins and aunts and uncles laughed!) I know my Dads happy-

When Shoes Die

Posted by tmark on April 2, 2016
Posted in: Uncategorized. 1 Comment

saying goodbye to great shoes-

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I am not ready to let these go yet-

they have lasted for a long time, but they are beyond repair-

they are your favorites, they are perfect, they are sooo comfy-

the fact is- they just don’t make shoes like this anymore.

But you have to be brave. (people will probably be happy when you have let them go)

We have all heard stories of newly married couples- and the wife throws out some of her husbands ‘old, nasty’ sneakers and the horrified husband finds ‘his favorite, lucky shoes’ in the trash and well… each story ends about the same- heartbreak, misunderstanding, forgiveness and some reality checking about ‘why are you saving these?’

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good old Doc Martin’s

This pair of Doc Martins was given to me by our bass player Hana in 1999. She found them in a parking lot- and I would always add…’the guy was just laying there..’ She actually had them for 3 years- before she found someone who they would fit. (#truestory)

They were a little big for me, but I grew to love them and they are indestructible- I have tried to kill them off a few times (like- I wear them when I am welding) and when they didn’t die -I was happy. And they were the easiest things to put on after my back surgery when I could not bend (these an stayed tied for years)(literally- years)

So, it turns out: Doc Martin’s are really quality shoes and they will outlast everything- so it might be more like buying a family member and you might need to be ready for a long-term relationship…… unless you loose them (it happens) and if this is YOU and your looking for your shoes- its not really too late… (well- before you contact me, I hope you have come to grips with your abandonment of these shoes and how they had struggled to find acceptance and value in life which comes from more than a big price tag..etc) they have had to walk off a lot of hurt, which is not that easy because they are fairly comfy and they never really meant to hurt anyone.

ok, whew, lost my train of thought-

Converse sneakers need to be handled carefully- you will kill them off before their time. #justsayin

So, the thought for today is: Do we value our long-term relationships with people? Do we occasionally try to kill them off? Do we care for them after we just walked them through a bunch of (unmentionables) –

If not…. then start today and value everyone you meet- because, replacing them is way too costly- 1st John 3:11 For this is the message we have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

 

*note: in spite of their age, these shoes do not smell- really smelly shoes might have to be given quick and final judgement. (2 in the hat)

*if  your friends smell…. well, everyone has a bad day from time to time-

PS next blog.. Puppies!

 

Change your password to the number 3

Posted by tmark on February 15, 2016
Posted in: the blog, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

Simplify your life! -yes, sure- BUT WHY the number 3?20160215_104910-1

because its right next to the enter button (in that right corner, down there) just think of it- one button and hit enter and your in! -boom.

my computer at work- is on some kind of automatic sleep cycle and if I step away from it, goes into hibernation (or something) and demands a password before I can do anything-  Our tech guy set it up with a 10 character password requiring a capital letter and a number….. which I had posted on the wall above the computer in plain sight, noting that this is the password for this computer.

I work at a Farm and all I only have a computer so that I can have email and sign in to payroll- I have no top secret files or info and the password thing was driving me crazy-Dilbert-20050910

so I changed  the password to …… 3

I also made the password hint: ‘the password is the number 3’

When our tech guy came by to update something…. and found that I had changed it……!

(it was the end of the world)

(kind of a -how dare you/how did you even know how to do this/you are dangerous and must be stopped/made an example of/public flogging) all through email, cc’d to higher ranking party officials accordingly.

(who, thankfully, said ‘sheesh’)

I had to change it back and I am not allowed to change it again.

But just because I got in trouble, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some freedom! (think, William Wallace: ‘FREEDOM!’)Dilbert 1782.strip_

its easy to do- but I’m not putting it here- just google away! I want to empower you, but it will take some effort on your part- the point is, Don’t Give in to Fear-! it’s not a secret/hidden thing that only a select few are allowed to know, a PC* is supposed to be personal –its yours- set it the way you want to.

Just like your cell phone- use your vocabulary skills to figure out what your looking for- because of Copyright Laws, some companies have Copyrights on certain words. Like: ‘Settings’ -so that means other companies have to use other words like: Appearance, Display, Personalize, My Settings, Options, Toolbox, Access, etc -use your synonym skills- another way around this is by using symbols that are very similar (but not exact) like a ‘Gear’ for ‘settings’ and on, and on. And its not just the phone you have- its all your next phones! (whoa) Some things will continue but others will change completely.

Technology is booking along and by the time we are comfy, its long, long past us. So be brave! (and grab the youngest kid you know and have them do it for you- you almost do not even need to know ‘how’ they did it- just have them do it and make them feel smart- all wise Grandparents know this) Dilbert 4053122475_f234389688

when I looked up some Dilbert password Jokes and noticed that, because they are from like ‘the turn of the century’, -the passwords are only 5 to 6 characters long! (raise your hand if you remember those good old days!)It was shortly after I did this whole password thing (and while I was taking a college course on Existentialism) that my wife and I bought one way tickets to Portland Oregon, bought a 30ft RV, went to the Olympic National Park, the HOH rainforest and then drove all the way back to Cape Cod (I flew home from Albuquerque New Mexico- our friend Julie flew in and drove with my wife) I did miss a few classes but my Professor loved it!

-but that’s another story- just know that changing something small like your password is REALLY empowering and there may be no end to the fun you will have!

*PC stands for personal computer

PS: while writing this I had to set up a wireless printer and some things can be frustrating- like you become William Wallace (the Braveheart guy) in like a millisecond and want to take giant sword to your computer! (all I could do was laugh)  ….freedom?

PPS: bonus track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU4pyiB-kq0

while you’re here, do the dishes..

Posted by tmark on January 18, 2016
Posted in: the blog, Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Generally, it’s easier to do someone else’s dishes. It’s easier to help someone clean out their garage, than to clean your own.20160118_112627

This universal condition shows that we need each other and that we were made for each other. We enjoy helping and fixing and cleaning and problem solving.

Some of us have even put “enjoys problem solving” on our resume’s. (I did) -BUT my intentions were good, -really.

The danger with this is that you just might be a ‘know-it-all’ so, watch yourself.

We do enjoy solving things and there is a legitimate sense of accomplishment, but- puzzles, riddles and strategy games are a lot different than people problems. People problems are different and not all of them are WE meant to solve.

That’s where Jesus comes in. Because Jesus knows peoples hearts and He knows ALL of the circumstances -only He is qualified to solve and answer those type of things.

However- you can be a big ‘help’ by just doing something simple like the dishes. It is an action that shows love and it makes both parties feel happy. It’s the kind of thing that does not feel like there are strings attached-

So, do the dishes for someone and show God’s love. -maybe someone will do your dishes sometime- **

If you have to do you own dishes- pretend its for someone else!

* I would have wrote this post sooner, but I needed to do some dishes for someone- and do them more than once- (it’s like there are always dishes to wash! -so that means plenty of opportunity)

** Jesus washed the disciples feet- dishes are easier. (it’s the same principal)(..and most people don’t mind if you just offer to do some dishes – just seeing some peoples feet can be really….. well, you can imagine.

 

Running away with the Circus….

Posted by tmark on August 9, 2015
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

#playswellwithothersimagejpeg_0

I just returned from a big christian event in New Hampshire called SoulFest, (http://www.thesoulfest.com/home.html) where I got to perform with The Jo Petty Band. (http://jopettyband.com/) I had recorded some lead guitar parts on one of Jo Petty’s previous cd’s (Skywatch) back in 2012 (before I broke my back) and she called me in April because her guitar player had a serious injury that went from numbness in his hand to some paralysis and he was not able to play- heartbreaking for a guitar player…(He’s a great guy, a great player and a great christian and has been trying physical therapy.. but may need surgery- we are all praying for him)imagejpeg_2

Me, Emelio and Jo PettyJo Petty’s songs are all original with a nice mix of rock and funk and are all wall-to-wall Jesus – Jo Ann is a bundle of energy with a great stage presence and the band is really just guitar, bass, drums and a tiny bit of keys so without guitar they would be sunk- I was very honored to be considered and I was thrilled when I passed the audititon!

full Band photo- Emelio, Eric, Jo and me

full Band photo- Emelio, Eric, Jo and me

We arrived early thursday with a car full of guitars and equipment- (its a 3 day event and we were only playing fri and sat) and I got this wrist band that says ARTIST which gets you into everything- (well, a lot of things) Next thing I know I’m meeting the other ‘big name’ artists and (spoiler alert) they’re just regular folks like you, dear reader, and me. (although this definitely ups the list of ‘famous people I’ve met’)

When you meet ‘famous’ people (you will someday) and they are gracious and nice it totally makes you feel awesome- so when people wanted to meet me(!) I was totally nice and gracious and thankful- Not an act- I was really thankful- and christians know its all a miracle that any of us are here and even allowed to get to do stuff.

Dave from D'Addario Strings (its all I use)

Dave from D’Addario Strings (its all I use)

Some highlights included the wonderful honest ministry of these ‘big bands’ as they got to tell some of the stories behind their songs- like live ‘liner-notes’ which add so much to a performance. The coolest thing was the guy from Third Day said that people from the south are raised in church and being a christian is very common- but “up here, when you guys say your a christian it really means something because you are a minority” And it was really encouraging to see all the folks there… like a few thousand at least- all saved and believing God to do powerful things.

the Jo Petty Band played on a huge stage with all kind of stage hands and lighting and equipment and we absolutely rocked out with big smiles on our faces! (side note: its like a real band with a manager and merch and everything! we even had a ‘green room’ tent with bowls of healthy snacks and stuff)(this is the bigtime) One of Jo Pettys fans even made an awesome cake- (thanks Judy Jay Cakes) -which we shared with Casting Crowns later that day!

Mark Hall from Casting Crowns gets cake (Pauline knows how to cut cake!)

Mark Hall from Casting Crowns gets cake (Pauline knows how to cut cake!)

Jo Petty Band Cake

When we finished playing- Sarah (Soulfest staffer) came up and asked me if I had a guitar Paul Colman could borrow- right now- on the main stage (guitar players all over the place and they asked me!) – and I’m like, of course!

Paul Colman borrows my guitar #stillfriendstho

Paul Colman borrows my guitar #stillfriendstho

My friend Ben Laine got to go up on stage with Paul Colman (that ‘famous’ ordinary person) who was doing a songwriting circle/clinic thingy. Paul was so impressed with Ben’s performance that he had him join him at another performance that night- It was probably one of the coolest thing I’ve ever been to- Ben has written lots of songs(even though he is only 15 now)(he is taller than me) and I have played both guitar and bass with Ben whenever he is visiting/performing here on the cape (he lives in NH and his dad is both a pastor and a drummer and another one of my dear friends who I’ve played with lots of times) So it looks like I will be helping Ben get a demo CD together and we might even be playing soulfest 2016.

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#playswellwithothers

I’ve been so blessed to play with so many people in my life- I’ve been in lots of bands and played with dozens of other groups but only really with people from my church- people from the same fellowship of ministry. Somehow in my christian upbringing I developed a prejudice about other christians– (a common disease for believers- even Jesus’ disciples- “don’t stop him, he who is not against us is for us” Mark 9:40, Luke 9:50) Because we are often critical of ourselves and are overly aware of our own shortcomings and are measuring our own performance -this all leads to us forgetting that we are all saved by Grace and Grace alone. We believe that salvation is precious because it can be lost- and we tell people that God can forgive them no matter what they have done. Both statements are true. But there is this thing called Grace…. and God is probably not tearing up your birth certificate every hour like you think He might be.

I found these glasses- just checking

I found these glasses- just checking

I have always kind-of avoided big ‘christian’ thingys and even a lot of ‘christian’ music because I allowed my brain to get crowded with my own high ‘standards’. We need standards but we measure ourselves the wrong way. Like children measuring their height from the ground up and noticing who is taller and who is growing- God measures from Jesus down to us- the more Jesus you need- the more there is available. In John’s gospel he refers to himself as “the disciple who Jesus loved” because he understood that the immeasurable love comes to us from Jesus. He is the source. Think about that.

Abundant Grace pouring down.jo petty sal soul fest 222 2015

The band is made up of christians from 4 different churches in the area- and all members are active in their churches music ministries. We start each practice with prayer and we have a great time in Jesus. It is our life-long struggle to let Jesus love and forgive us and try not to get in the way of God using us- trying to let Jesus really be Lord. But its only a this-life struggle.jo petty sal soul fest 2015

I did buy a bunch of new Christian Music CD’s but- it may be a while before I hear them because I can’t get through the CD wrapping to open them. (no-one can) Check out Big Daddy Weave’s song “Neighborhoods” it is great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b39JojjftBc

I have come a long way since august 2012 when I was coming home from the hospital with 35 staples holding me together- I’ve traded my FALL RISK bracelet for the ARTIST one but..now that’s over and my days with the circus are over for now and I have to go back to work -but you can visit me and you don’t need a backstage pass- I promise to be thankful and gracious to you.

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its just a wristband

its just a wristband

God’s Biography

Posted by tmark on February 24, 2015
Posted in: the blog. Tagged: , , , , . 2 Comments

Buy Art Tsunami Hazard ZoneFebruary, we are all freezing. Great time to stay cozy and think about God – because only God can get you through February.

Here are some thoughts on the 10 Commandments….

You are probably picturing: Roman Numerals and all caps… THOU SHALL NOT..etc But, wait…

what if they were God’s Bio- …..a way that He could explain Himself to His people- 

1: I am God- I made everything and I also make all the rules- all other rules will refer back to this.. “simply because I am God, that’s why”  and that is the way it is.

2: No idols or graven images*… God doesn’t need some kind of symbol or marketable entity to represent Him- God is a Spirit that can change people on the inside- like the wind..” you don’t see the wind, you see the effects of it”.      And… you can’t make God into something that He is not- like if you say “I don’t think God would…or I think God is more like… or if I was God I wouldn’t…” etc. You are trying to change who God is- and He is not changing- “I am who I am”, without apology- (see rule #1)…  

3: Don’t take God’s name in vain- it’s not just the swearing thing… it’s when people go on TV and say stuff like “send me your money and God will bless you-” (God doesn’t want your money! He wants your heart) Taking God’s name in vain means: Don’t misrepresent Him- Don’t go around saying you are a christian and then do things  that everyone knows a christian would not do- God does not do background checks on people who want to follow Him (in fact- He erases your background so you can follow Him!) So anyone can become a believer- BUT- there is real responsibility- Now that you are a Christian- you have to act accordingly. God is willing to help you- simply Ask-  for help. (you would be surprised how many people become christians and then never talk to God again….) (whats up with that?) maybe they should check out #4… 

4: the sabbath… take a day off…God knows that life is tough- and we are constantly running around- it’s crazy- and you just need time to think and breathe- So let’s get together- like every six days – and we can be together- just us. -lets talk about stuff, about you, about Me- Our plans… you know, -stuff. You can probably imagine how upset Jesus was when he saw first-hand what the sabbath  had turned into- He probably said…”this day was supposed to be about US- like a date- do you think I am some kind of nut who gets upset about whether you used stairs or an elevator or carried something outside of your home, when you have missed the big picture- it is supposed to be a time we just spent together… so, push aside all the other stuff and let’s get together- we do need to talk. (just you and God)

There are 6 more- but these first ones are about God and you (us). They asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment and He said- “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strenght- and then love your neighbor as yourself”   perhaps, greatest “commandment” is misleading- because being commanded to love someone is like when your Mom says..”kiss aunt So-and-so”… and you HAVE to -yuck. that’s not love. So maybe it should be translated… best thing someone could do… anyway it would fix a lot of stuff.

5: Honor your Mother and Father- this is an amazing statement- it could have kept the human race in good shape because everyone would have kept themselves in line- so as not to give the family a bad name- Even from a secular social veiwpoint- it is an amazing revelation as to how to keep a society together.

6: Thou shall do no murder- (literal translation) Murder is different from killing- murder involves your heart and Jesus said “if you hate someone- it is the same as murder…”

7: No adultery- Again it is a heart issue- Jesus said “if you lust…. you have already commited adultery in your heart” And this also goes for ALL such lust-in-your-heart issues. (God is not going to let you slide on some technicallity)(you are busted!) Our hearts are desperately wicked.. So give it over to Jesus- surrender. (as often as you have to- God is not going to feel as though you are bothering Him!)

8: Thou shall not steal- anything, at any time- no exceptions. This one gets us all. I mean….’anything’? ! (man- we need help) People will always say “I never robbed a bank…” But that’s not what it says. It says stealing. Size or dollar amount do not matter. So, go and sin no more…  and God will give you favor.

9: No lying. Another one that gets everybody. and we all know where liars go…. Washington. 

10: No coveting. Basically, just be happy with what you have and stop wanting what everyone else has- stop listening to the voices that are trying to make you discontent with your life- Jesus loves you. (you- the bum) So trust in Jesus- seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you… and then you will realize you probably did not need them in the first place, simply because having God is better.

6,7,8,9 & 10 all good stuff that kinda should go without having to be said- common sense stuff -breaking any of these will just screw up your life as well as everyone else- so- Have some common sense. Take responsibility for yourself and behave.

(*these comments come from a guy who makes sculpture! -believe me , I know my graven images! and mine are kosher… just don’t worship them) 

*this is a re-post but you might have missed it earlier…