Is it time for Marks to change jobs yet? All kidding aside, I have been very content working with Guilford County Emergency Services in the Emergency Management Division. It even appeared that I might finally earn a longevity check. In fact, my intentions were to stay for quite some time. Seriously. Think about it… where can you get paid to manage disasters, respond to hazardous materials incidents and play with radios?
Opportunity knocks - sometimes when we least expect it.
I have been given the chance to move into a position that will allow me to enjoy what I do as well as enhance my leadership and project management skills. Such an opportunity I could not pass up. So with mixed emotions, I am saying good-bye to my role as an emergency manager and hello to my new responsibilities as the Technical Services Manager for Guilford Metro 911. I am sad to be leaving such a wonderful group of folks at Emergency Services, while at the same time, excited about my future with a new team and new projects at the Radio Shop.
As the Technical Service Manager, I will be providing oversight and management of the jointly owned Greensboro-Guilford County 800 MHz Trunked Radio System. The system is maintained by professional administrative staff and radio technicians with whom I will have the pleasure of working alongside. Together we will wade through challenging projects like “rebanding” and the development of a multi-million dollar radio system upgrade, along with the day-to-day operations of a complex radio system.
I begin my new endeavor on December 1st.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Light Shines on the Path
The journey continues. Although I stumble through the darkness of my own ignorance, the path is illuminated. With every question answered, more questions arise. Yet I am comfortable with this arrangement. And with the season of Advent just around the corner, I see an opportunity to further explore my relationship with God and celebrate the birth of baby Jesus.
While I am much more confident in my Christian faith now, I have been looking for a link. In our understanding of God, is there not a common thread that binds us all together? Are Christians, Jews and Muslims really so different? Do we not all worship one God? Why do we sometimes hate one another so vehemently?
Some tough questions... but I have found what I consider now to be an important biblical journey that links us together. It seems that Christians, Jews and Muslims all see Abram as a central figure in their respective religions. Abram (also called Abraham) embarked on this journey as commanded by God in Genesis 12:
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
The spiritual journey is vitally important to all of us. I am grateful that I have recognized this, albeit somewhat late in life. I believe that my journey will lead me to discover my true purpose in life. So, regardless of your faith, we travel together on this most important journey. You and I, my friend, we are not so different after all.
While I am much more confident in my Christian faith now, I have been looking for a link. In our understanding of God, is there not a common thread that binds us all together? Are Christians, Jews and Muslims really so different? Do we not all worship one God? Why do we sometimes hate one another so vehemently?
Some tough questions... but I have found what I consider now to be an important biblical journey that links us together. It seems that Christians, Jews and Muslims all see Abram as a central figure in their respective religions. Abram (also called Abraham) embarked on this journey as commanded by God in Genesis 12:
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
The spiritual journey is vitally important to all of us. I am grateful that I have recognized this, albeit somewhat late in life. I believe that my journey will lead me to discover my true purpose in life. So, regardless of your faith, we travel together on this most important journey. You and I, my friend, we are not so different after all.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Show Me the Way
If you were listening to the radio in the early 90’s, you might recognize these lyrics:
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Dennis DeYoung wrote these words as part of the Styx pseudo-hymn rock ballad “Show Me the Way” from the album Edge of the Century, released in 1990.
I have found these words to be quite foretelling. My spiritual journey reached a new level when I was baptized at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in August 2006. A year later I was ordained a Presbyterian Elder. I was both confident and comfortable in my Christian religion. Recently, however, I have been struggling to understand the concept of a religion… more accurately, what makes one religion better than another.
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And take my confusion away
I sought out on my own to discover the answers. I was to write about it. But as you can see, it’s been several weeks now since any new posts have appeared in my blog. The answers, I have found, are not so easy to come by. So within the past week, I have solicited the assistance from folks who I consider to be spiritual mentors. They are friends and acquaintances from near and far. The responses have been extraordinarily enriching. I wish now to share some links with you:
http://www.existence-of-god.com/lord-liar-lunatic.html
http://veritas.org/media/presenters/164
http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm
http://ancientfaith.com/
These links have been a great starting point for me. There are more links and suggested readings that I will reference in additional posts. I also want to include a quote that sums up my findings:
“I am convinced that one’s religion is largely dependent on one’s family and cultural background, not on any tremendously profound truth. I came to understand God through Christianity, however, I will be the first to admit that don’t believe that it is the exclusive truth, nor the only way to bring understanding to one’s life.” ~ Gray Clark
Thanks to those who took the time to respond to my questions. I am now more confident than ever that I am on the right path. My spiritual journey continues with renewed vigor and faith.
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Dennis DeYoung wrote these words as part of the Styx pseudo-hymn rock ballad “Show Me the Way” from the album Edge of the Century, released in 1990.
I have found these words to be quite foretelling. My spiritual journey reached a new level when I was baptized at Fellowship Presbyterian Church in August 2006. A year later I was ordained a Presbyterian Elder. I was both confident and comfortable in my Christian religion. Recently, however, I have been struggling to understand the concept of a religion… more accurately, what makes one religion better than another.
Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And take my confusion away
I sought out on my own to discover the answers. I was to write about it. But as you can see, it’s been several weeks now since any new posts have appeared in my blog. The answers, I have found, are not so easy to come by. So within the past week, I have solicited the assistance from folks who I consider to be spiritual mentors. They are friends and acquaintances from near and far. The responses have been extraordinarily enriching. I wish now to share some links with you:
http://www.existence-of-god.com/lord-liar-lunatic.html
http://veritas.org/media/presenters/164
http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm
http://ancientfaith.com/
These links have been a great starting point for me. There are more links and suggested readings that I will reference in additional posts. I also want to include a quote that sums up my findings:
“I am convinced that one’s religion is largely dependent on one’s family and cultural background, not on any tremendously profound truth. I came to understand God through Christianity, however, I will be the first to admit that don’t believe that it is the exclusive truth, nor the only way to bring understanding to one’s life.” ~ Gray Clark
Thanks to those who took the time to respond to my questions. I am now more confident than ever that I am on the right path. My spiritual journey continues with renewed vigor and faith.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Charting a New Course
Letting go of painful moments takes time. I’ve learned that forgiveness is a powerful process of release. But it’s not as simple as pulling that chain on a lamp, hoping that as the light comes on, the hurt goes away. I believe that time heals all wounds. I just didn’t know how long it might take to work though all of the feelings of disappointment, frustration and anger that I was harboring.
Have you ever been looking for something, only to find it staring you right in the face?
Ah ha, there it is!
In fact, it was there all along. I just couldn’t see it. I needed someone to help me recognize what it was that I was looking for!
Two phenomenal mentors - one is the youth director at a local Methodist church, the other has been a missionary in Africa - helped me to find what I had been missing. How did they accomplish such a task? They listened to what I had to say. They offered answers to my many questions. They guided me in new directions. And they encouraged me to read as much as I could.
Reading has always been foreign to me. I was never one to curl up in a comfy chair and read for hours. But suddenly, I found myself immersed in works from authors like Rick Warren, Marjorie Thompson, William Paul Young, Henri Nouwen and most recently Esther & Jerry Hicks and Wayne Dyer. Everything I have read is a bit different, but I have found a reoccurring theme… the love and mercy of God is within each and every one of us. The challenge is then recognizing this and allowing it to come forth.
I am a child of God. So in a sense, God is my parent - a Father who loves me unconditionally. I may disappoint Him from time to time. But as any parent would do for a child, He forgives me when I do wrong - just as a parent myself, I forgive my children. I can see that now. I can rejoice in the power of forgiveness, for I have been forgiven. And it is not for me to judge others who have done wrong, for I do not know all of their circumstances.
That does not mean that forgiveness comes quickly or easily. On the contrary, for some it may take many years and much soul searching. But we all have the capacity to forgive as we are all of God’s making. For me, understanding how I am loved and forgiven has helped expedite the process of me loving and forgiving others.
In the grand scheme of life, my time here is limited. It’s up to me to make the most of it. Letting go of the past does not mean that I haven’t learned something from it. Forgiveness does imply indifference. But there is no positive outcome in dwelling on the inequities of the past. I have charted a new course in my spiritual journey. I hope you will continue to follow and encourage me along the way.
Have you ever been looking for something, only to find it staring you right in the face?
Ah ha, there it is!
In fact, it was there all along. I just couldn’t see it. I needed someone to help me recognize what it was that I was looking for!
Two phenomenal mentors - one is the youth director at a local Methodist church, the other has been a missionary in Africa - helped me to find what I had been missing. How did they accomplish such a task? They listened to what I had to say. They offered answers to my many questions. They guided me in new directions. And they encouraged me to read as much as I could.
Reading has always been foreign to me. I was never one to curl up in a comfy chair and read for hours. But suddenly, I found myself immersed in works from authors like Rick Warren, Marjorie Thompson, William Paul Young, Henri Nouwen and most recently Esther & Jerry Hicks and Wayne Dyer. Everything I have read is a bit different, but I have found a reoccurring theme… the love and mercy of God is within each and every one of us. The challenge is then recognizing this and allowing it to come forth.
I am a child of God. So in a sense, God is my parent - a Father who loves me unconditionally. I may disappoint Him from time to time. But as any parent would do for a child, He forgives me when I do wrong - just as a parent myself, I forgive my children. I can see that now. I can rejoice in the power of forgiveness, for I have been forgiven. And it is not for me to judge others who have done wrong, for I do not know all of their circumstances.
That does not mean that forgiveness comes quickly or easily. On the contrary, for some it may take many years and much soul searching. But we all have the capacity to forgive as we are all of God’s making. For me, understanding how I am loved and forgiven has helped expedite the process of me loving and forgiving others.
In the grand scheme of life, my time here is limited. It’s up to me to make the most of it. Letting go of the past does not mean that I haven’t learned something from it. Forgiveness does imply indifference. But there is no positive outcome in dwelling on the inequities of the past. I have charted a new course in my spiritual journey. I hope you will continue to follow and encourage me along the way.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Overcoming Inertia: The Start of Something New
Getting started can often be the most difficult part of the journey. So let me begin by inviting you to join me as I write about my journey toward spiritual enlightenment. Writing can help to set free new thoughts and ideas. My hope is that you may benefit from my efforts as we mosey down this path together.
Some may say I’m a late bloomer. As I child I never attended church. And as an adult, I had no concept of organized religion. It was not until I met an astonishing Presbyterian pastor that I had any interest in understanding God. Our pastor’s love and compassion helped me though the stress of Carol’s sudden illness as well as many of life’s other trials and tribulations.
Timing is everything, isn’t it? I was ready to discover my God given purpose and this man was there to mentor me and help me learn. He opened my eyes to so many wonderful things. For once in my life, I felt truly blessed and fulfilled.
In gratitude, I offered to serve as an Elder in the church. It was there, however, that I discovered the dark side of organized religion. Sparing you the unpleasant details, suffice to say that mistakes were made on both sides. The session and the pastor could have handled things more professionally. Feelings were hurt. Confidence faltered.
A change was necessary. There was no denying that. But the manner is which this entire situation was handled still haunts me today. How could this happen in a church of all places? The relationship between the pastor and the congregation was dissolved. There was a tearful and uneasy good-bye.
My faith was shaken. Not so much my faith in God, but rather my faith in the people of God. So I left the church in search of a kinder, gentler environment in which to worship. The journey begins anew.
Join me for my next post as I share with you how I have struggled to let go of the past, embrace forgiveness and continue with my journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
Some may say I’m a late bloomer. As I child I never attended church. And as an adult, I had no concept of organized religion. It was not until I met an astonishing Presbyterian pastor that I had any interest in understanding God. Our pastor’s love and compassion helped me though the stress of Carol’s sudden illness as well as many of life’s other trials and tribulations.
Timing is everything, isn’t it? I was ready to discover my God given purpose and this man was there to mentor me and help me learn. He opened my eyes to so many wonderful things. For once in my life, I felt truly blessed and fulfilled.
In gratitude, I offered to serve as an Elder in the church. It was there, however, that I discovered the dark side of organized religion. Sparing you the unpleasant details, suffice to say that mistakes were made on both sides. The session and the pastor could have handled things more professionally. Feelings were hurt. Confidence faltered.
A change was necessary. There was no denying that. But the manner is which this entire situation was handled still haunts me today. How could this happen in a church of all places? The relationship between the pastor and the congregation was dissolved. There was a tearful and uneasy good-bye.
My faith was shaken. Not so much my faith in God, but rather my faith in the people of God. So I left the church in search of a kinder, gentler environment in which to worship. The journey begins anew.
Join me for my next post as I share with you how I have struggled to let go of the past, embrace forgiveness and continue with my journey toward spiritual enlightenment.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Inertia
Webster defines inertia as a “resistance to motion or change.” Sir Isaac Newton describes the principle of inertia in part as “an object at rest tends to stay at rest…”
For two years I worked diligently on completing some post graduate studies. I was reading and/or writing at least five nights a week. When I finished in December 2008, I decided it was time for a break. For the first few weeks, I found myself pacing the floors, looking for something to occupy my time. Gradually, I became more comfortable relaxing in front of the television.
Within six months, I was content with simply propping up my feet while gazing at mindless shows on the TV set. I wasn’t really reading much nor was I writing. I was just vegetating. I was complacent.
But the desire to read and write again began gnawing at me earlier this summer. I have read some and posted occasionally on the blog, but not like I really wanted to. I keep telling myself, “Tomorrow I’ll get started in earnest!” But when tomorrow comes, I’m too tired or there’s something on the tube or I just don’t feel like it. Inertia has taken hold.
I have since forced myself away from the idiot box and back to the keyboard. It’s not easy to break through the complacency, but I already feel better. I believe that it is much like exercising. Getting started is a real pain in the ass. But once I do get underway, I feel better and it becomes easier to get motivated each day.
Complacency, fueled by inertia, can be an addiction…
So bear with me as I fight this addiction. Look for more tweets and blog posts as I muster the energy and enthusiasm to keep moving forward. I’m teaching an on-line class in emergency management this semester at GTCC, so I have now the necessary incentive to resume reading and writing with vigor. I’ll use Twitter and Blue Skies Blog as my creative outlet.
Feel free to send me comments. And let me know how you overcome your addictions.
For two years I worked diligently on completing some post graduate studies. I was reading and/or writing at least five nights a week. When I finished in December 2008, I decided it was time for a break. For the first few weeks, I found myself pacing the floors, looking for something to occupy my time. Gradually, I became more comfortable relaxing in front of the television.
Within six months, I was content with simply propping up my feet while gazing at mindless shows on the TV set. I wasn’t really reading much nor was I writing. I was just vegetating. I was complacent.
But the desire to read and write again began gnawing at me earlier this summer. I have read some and posted occasionally on the blog, but not like I really wanted to. I keep telling myself, “Tomorrow I’ll get started in earnest!” But when tomorrow comes, I’m too tired or there’s something on the tube or I just don’t feel like it. Inertia has taken hold.
I have since forced myself away from the idiot box and back to the keyboard. It’s not easy to break through the complacency, but I already feel better. I believe that it is much like exercising. Getting started is a real pain in the ass. But once I do get underway, I feel better and it becomes easier to get motivated each day.
Complacency, fueled by inertia, can be an addiction…
So bear with me as I fight this addiction. Look for more tweets and blog posts as I muster the energy and enthusiasm to keep moving forward. I’m teaching an on-line class in emergency management this semester at GTCC, so I have now the necessary incentive to resume reading and writing with vigor. I’ll use Twitter and Blue Skies Blog as my creative outlet.
Feel free to send me comments. And let me know how you overcome your addictions.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Change
Change is among us always. Sometimes the change is incredibly subtle. Take for example a glass of water on the table. The water slowly changes form. The liquid evaporates into a vapor over time. It is hard to detect the change until one day we notice the glass is empty. This slow change is often tolerable until such time that it becomes obvious and perhaps uncomfortable.
Change can happen in an instant as well. The glass of water can be knocked over, spilling its contents and creating quite the mess. Suddenly the glass is empty, maybe even broken. The change is very apparent and possibly alarming. Such rapid and unplanned change can be rather disruptive. Even planned changes that occur too quickly can create discord.
We can replace the analogous glass of water with words like love, friendship, passion and faith. Every now and then we take for granted what we have in abundance until it becomes scarce or non-existent. And sometimes we are simply the victims of change that we can not control. In either case, the outcome is agonizing: friendships end, passion wanes, and our faith is shaken.
However, such change can lead us onto the path of new beginnings. As one door closes, another door opens. We may not understand the change, or even appreciate it at the time it occurs. A time for reflection is essential as we embark on our new journey. Patience helps us to focus on the positive aspects of change and to see our path more clearly.
Change is inevitable. Will we manage the change or will it manage us?
Change can happen in an instant as well. The glass of water can be knocked over, spilling its contents and creating quite the mess. Suddenly the glass is empty, maybe even broken. The change is very apparent and possibly alarming. Such rapid and unplanned change can be rather disruptive. Even planned changes that occur too quickly can create discord.
We can replace the analogous glass of water with words like love, friendship, passion and faith. Every now and then we take for granted what we have in abundance until it becomes scarce or non-existent. And sometimes we are simply the victims of change that we can not control. In either case, the outcome is agonizing: friendships end, passion wanes, and our faith is shaken.
However, such change can lead us onto the path of new beginnings. As one door closes, another door opens. We may not understand the change, or even appreciate it at the time it occurs. A time for reflection is essential as we embark on our new journey. Patience helps us to focus on the positive aspects of change and to see our path more clearly.
Change is inevitable. Will we manage the change or will it manage us?
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