John Markum

Traffic Rock-Out


I got stared down in traffic the other day while rocking out to some Skillet on my iPod. Awake, good CD! Anyway… I’m certain that I looked ridiculous in traffic playing a crazy air guitar and drum solo. The truck next to me in traffic had two little girls and their Dad getting a good laugh at me rocking out in our minivan.

I’m sure you don’t look nearly as bizarre as me in traffic, but have you ever felt the same way? Like you were excited and passionate about something you felt God wanted you to do, but others were just getting a laugh at your enthusiasm? Or maybe you have something compelling that God has put on your heart, but you’re apprehensive of sharing it with someone else because you don’t think they would get it?

Truth is, you’re probably right. The reason? The same reason I look like a moron in traffic. The people in the other car can’t hear what I hear. And the people critical of your calling don’t hear what God is telling you to do either. If the people in traffic could hear what I was hearing, then maybe they would be moving like I was moving.

If God was telling other people the same thing He was telling you, then maybe they would share your enthusiasm.

But God didn’t tell them. He told you. It doesn’t have to get others excited. Just you. Don’t wait for other people to approve of God’s calling on your life before you obey. And pay no attention to those who don’t get it.

My response to the other people in the other lane, laughing at my traffic time rock-out? I smiled, waved, and kept jamming out.

The music was just too good to stop for the sake of the opinion of someone else.

Blessings,

John

Making summer memories…

Every season has it’s unique qualities that make them special. But for me, no season tops summer! Some of my best memories come from summertime. Topping the list, I think of…

  1. Living and working with my cousins, Ronnie and Rhonda Markum, in Stillwater, OK. I worked real hard, learned a ton of practical skills, and spent time with a great part of my extended family. (1997)
  2. Panama Missions Trip… Nothing short of powerful and life changing. Sealed my decision to go into ministry. (1999)
  3. Arriving at Bible college alone. Felt God speaking His confidence into me like never before. Wouldn’t change anything (2000)
  4. Finding and falling in love with my wife/Marrying her the following summer (2003/2004)
  5. Moving to the Quad Cities and Edgewood. (2008)

With a thousand other things that make summer what it means to me -fishing with Dad, baseball, mowing lawns, swimming, the beach, 4th of July, camping, tans, etc.- I always look forward to what each summer has to bring. What are some of your favorite summer memories? Leave a comment and share!

Blessings,

John

The 7 Best Years of My Life!

Today, Tiffany and I celebrate 7 years of marriage! In her honor, I give my 7 favorite things about my wife:

  1. She’s hot! I’m her husband. I can say that!
  2. Strength: Tiffany has always possessed incredible inner strength and an ability to persevere. That’s the kind of woman I wanted to marry!
  3. 3 Words: Emilee, Kali, Josiah. Love our kids. And 1 more on the way!
  4. Faith: My wife has the uncanny ability to believe God for supernatural things. That should not be uncommon among people who say they believe Him, but with her it’s like a gift that she has to see God bring about the impossible.
  5. Loyal: My wife is fiercely loyal to me. She stands up for my honor, and believes the best in me.
  6. Speak Life: Tiffany is the constant voice of encouragement and support in my life. She’s never given me false hope, but she always tells me that she trusts me and believes I’ll make the best decisions for our family. I’m almost convinced that I can do anything with her support.
  7. She’s mine! And I intend on keeping it that way for at least another 70 years!

The phrase no pain, no gain has been a mantra for athletes and fitness junkies for years. And what they understand about physical pain needs to be broadened to a much more general use in all of our lives. Pain hurts. That's the whole problem. No one enjoys it, and if someone does, we rightfully

The Premium of Pain