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markaustin
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Name: Austin, Mark T.
Country: United States
State: Texas
Metro: Austin
Birthday: 11/19/1982
Gender: Male
Interests: having fun, music that sounds good, good looking people, nice smelling stuff, food that tastes good
Expertise: sitting, sleeping, spacing out -all of the high intensity activities in life.
i have been affirmed for taking fast showers, and forgetting peoples names.
Occupation: Youth Minister
Industry: Life
Message: message me
Website: visit my website
AIM:  Mrhocke
Member Since:
3/22/2005
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| to my youth: read your bibles
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| The One About The First Semester
I. The Introduction
My dear friends, this xanga has been neglected and ignored for a great deal of time. Please excuse my absence and thank you for your unending faithfulness to leave me comments about… well, yourselves. I hope all are doing well. Furthermore, I hope that you are not expecting anything too fantastic –I cannot hope to get 150 comments and 130 eprops every time. So let me just say to all of you and for the sake myself–it’s okay if I don’t even reach 20 comments and 40 eprops. Also, for those of you who claim I need to use more pictures, and I write a lot –yes I do write a lot and no there will be no pictures right now. Also note that some of the greatest things in life aren’t short and have to be read. There are great books out there –better than any movie or video game. And in the end you aren’t going to have enough time in life to read all the great books out there. Stop watching TV, stop playing video games, stop wanting to just look at pictures you lazy and selfish people. I still love you though. So this entry, unlike the last one which was all about what I did, is conversely all about who I am.
II. The Abstract
Moving onward, there has been a great demand for an update and I will try to systematically give you a survey of my life at seminary. So let me begin. I am in a 3 year graduate studies program in seminary to get my Masters of Divinity –otherwise referred to as MDiv. I am called to be a minister and to be a good shepherd and I am here studying and equipping myself to be an effective and useful tool for God. Now, this entails taking some really hard, all be it, fundamental classes such as Greek, Hebrew, Systematic Theology –etc. But let me share something with you. Here is the overlying motif for this entry; my thesis if you will. After my 3 years and 97 credit hours I will receive my Masters of Divinity, but let me demystify this –I will be a master of nothing. You see, what I do here is not so much defined as my intellectual understanding of the bible or my capacity (or lack there of) to preach the gospel or grasp theology. No, it is imperatively tied with my life style and quality of life. My time here has been that of great growth as a person both in general maturity, as well as spiritual maturity. Master of Divinity means nothing if you are not allowing God to be the master of your life. And that is what I daily strive to do.
III. The Day (Which is the Lord’s)
As for my life here I spend about 4 hours a day in miscellaneous classes and another 4 hours at my first job at an inner city school staff. Let me share with you –it’s tiring. Don’t misunderstand, it is a joy; but crap it’s tiring. I am barely pushing past this 8am-6pm schedule. The Lord is carrying me –and let me be honest I take naps everyday before dinner –and I love them, I love them. This job, although taken for an evangelistic purpose, teaches me so much about God. Even now, when I have to discipline the kids at school I feel so terrible. I have a hard time, but I know that is for their ultimate good, I know that since I love them I will help them understand social rules and gain people skills that will keep them in school and help them have better lives. I see farther ahead and I know that although they may have to suffer now –they will be able to have a greater joy when they are older because of the discipline. Furthermore, I understand that my word is authoritative in some contexts. When I ask them not to do something it isn’t because I want to simply deny them a simple pleasure now –I am protecting them from a danger that they don’t even know –that they don’t even perceive. On the weekends I also work the second job at a church as their Youth Minister. I hate all my kids. If you are reading this –I hate all of you (especially Jeffery, Tina and Felecia’s cousin). Jeffery, stop talking to girls and be more like your brother, Michael, who always brings his bible to youth group. Just playing, I totally think all these kids are amazing. I would not make the 1.5-hour drive over to Frisco to minister to them if I did not believe God was already moving in their lives and it is a privilege that God allows me to be a part of their growth. Every once in a while, I will give sermons to the English service and sporadically I will drive down to Austin, TX to speak to make fun of the Lighthouse youth. This is fun. Oh yes, dear Wesley, I cannot help but to notice your IQ is dropping at an unnatural rate. So, here is my completely unbiblical advice to you: when you feel resistance –stop pushing the q-tip.
IV. The Q&A: Coffee and A Conversation with Mark Austin
Now, over many conversations via aim or telephone there have been three overarching complaints. Let me share them with you. And I quote:
- Mark, you are so stupid. Why are you so stupid?
Sigh, let me try and tackle this one –now there are some things in this world that God has yet to unveil and enlighten us about. I would place this well intended and loving question under that category. But just for the fun of it, let me offer two superficial theories to this. Sometimes, God chooses to not reveal things because one, we would not believe him if he told us (i.e. I would not have believed I would have been at seminary 10 years ago), and two, it would spoil the surprise of life (half of the fun is in the mystery of not knowing what happens next –it certainly makes tv and movies more interesting –although and I digress, we all knew what was going to happen in the movie Titanic. The boat freaking sinks; I can’t believe you all wasted MILLIONS of dollars). Furthermore, all of the time, God uses the weak to humble to shame the strong (1 Corinthians). That’s right, it’s in the bible –God shakes off haters. (Not a good translation, but it serves the point)
- Mark, you never express feelings –I never know how you feel about something. Do you have feelings?
So apparently, since I am a good listener and always pay attention, I FEEL I am to understand that I don’t express my feelings –ever. This question makes me sad. Moreover, this confuses me since when I talk I always share how things that make me happy or sad. “I think that is dumb, I think you are stupid or even, that is funny.” Are those not feelings? They are –kinda. Sigh, this question not only makes me sad and confused, but it makes me angry that you aren’t listening. It says in Isaiah that people are “ever hearing and never understanding.” Thanks for proving God right (that makes me happy –w00t).
- Mark what do you learn at seminary?
Well there are three major doctrines that I constantly learn.
A. Xapis
The first is grace –grace abounding, grace unending –irresistible grace. Two major books extrapolate this is the book of Romans and Galatians. Be awed by grace. You cannot earn your salvation. It is a gift from God. As it is a gift, you must realize that it was given to you not by your choice, nor by your doing –but by God’s initiative. This has some deep implications for your life. First, since you did not seek it, since you did not initiate –you cannot earn it. You cannot place God in your debt. Moreover, since you did not earn it –you cannot lose it since you did nothing in the first place to merit it. It is mercy not merit. It is faith like Abraham (which leads to life) not the law like Moses (which leads to death). It is based upon a covenant, which you did not establish nor maintain. Grace is given to you and you cannot earn or lose it. Be awed by grace. It is by faith in Christ’s death on the cross which atoned for our sins which justifies you. Nothing else.
B. “Frankie says Relax”
To those of you who are Christians, the second is rest. It’s similar to the doctrine of grace. Remember that shirt from friends? “Frankie says Relax.” Relax because it is the Lord who sought you out. He saved you; you did not save yourself. So the same goes for your spiritual life. (You plural) Stop striving to look good before God, and live not to simply please God, but because God has given you the freedom to know Him –a relationship (not religion) that which is of greatest value and joy. And you know what? All your works are really God working in you by the Spirit. What does this mean? Do you think your lifestyle helps you earn grace? NO! Does your lifestyle cause you to lose grace? NO! You may have fallen away from it –but you have not lost it. Since God has chosen you and given you grace know to Him (which means you did nothing to merit it in the first place), do you think you can all of a sudden do something to make God not love you? No! You cannot stop what God has willed. Be patient. “He who has begun a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Do you see it? That text talked about you non-stop but had nothing to do with anything you did. Be amazed at grace. God is working in you –rest in Him and live your life out of gratitude not just out of duty. Those of you who aren’t Christians –you can run, but you will never outrun God.
C. Enjoy God (Psalm 73:25-26)
The final doctrine that I hold dearly to is derived from Deuteronomy. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. Did you see it in the paragraph above? God, at great cost to himself through his Son, has made it possible for us to enjoy Him forever. Do you understand this? Have a passion for God. Do not live your life begrudgingly. This is the problem; we have somehow misinterpreted the rejection of Christianity to something about theology and culture. It isn’t about being seeker friendly, it isn’t about curbing your language so people won’t be so “turned off,” it isn’t that we can’t stand firm on issues –we have to be passionate for God! Why would people want to know a God whom we serve with a somber face? Do you realize that all of the bible is God inspired and God breathed? And in it we have our God saying, “Praise the Lord!” That is God saying to us –PRAISE ME. Do you see it? God is not vain; God understands that he is the greatest joy and that since we know Him through Christ –we are to enjoy Him. When serve God begrudgingly and cower at the criticism of the world we communicate that our God is worthless. Let me tell you, it cannot be more backwards –our God is great.
Here is my exhortation to all you young men. Your struggle with pornography might find its relief not in the ability not to sin but in the realization that the pleasure of sex is nowhere comparable to the weight of our God –to the joy of knowing God. To all you young ladies, your struggle with body image and insecurity might find its end in the realization that your desire to be noticed and sought after might find its humility in the presence and absolute joy of knowing God –of having a relationship that has a cistern of eternal and unending joy. Note, these are all natural desires –which are good, and I am speaking specifically on over exaggerated and perverted manifestations of such.
Also Note: I am not abolishing the doctrine of self-denial and nor am I promoting a doctrine of health, wealth, and prosperity –I abolish those doctrines. I am speaking against ultimate self-denial. You don’t trade in that which is good for that which is of lesser good –no, you are trading in that which is of little value for that which is over greatest value, namely God. So do you need self-denial? Yes! I am calling for martyrs. Go to the cities. Go to Africa, go to East Asia, go the Middle East. Make the hard phone call, help the poor and oppressed, have the hard conversation. Because knowing God should be your definition of love. Have a passion for God ladies and gentlemen; love people with a greater love than that which your own minds and paradigms conceive and plan.
V. The Subject Matter
Now here is a general observation: It seems like when we are young we have all this wide-open space. The world is ours and the world is at our feet -nothing can stop us. And as we grow older we start building up walls for ourselves. We start having expectations of what we are supposed to be like, look like, how much money we are supposed to make and eventually it is these walls that confine us. And we think theology is just like this. We think theology, religion or God’s law confines us. This cannot be more wrong. Let me paint you a picture at how this works. Do you remember the motif? Let me remind all you people who forgot. The Master of Divinity means nothing if you are not allowing God to be the master of your life. And that is what I daily strive to do. In other words, all this doctrine means nothing if it is detached from my life. I work at an inner school in Fort Worth. It is 98% Hispanic. Some of my kid’s fathers are in jail for beating their wives, and I probably earn more in one week than some of the parents do. One day, one of the girls, age 4, looks at me with bright eyes and asks me a simple question, “Mr. Mark how old are you?” I gently responded, “23.” She then followed with a harmless inquiry, “My mom is 25… are you married too?” Now this question, although innocent, hit me blindside. So for the rest of the time, I am going to talk about marriage, but first let me address this comment:
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JLShortie: hey markaustin
Mrhocke: hey jennifer
Mrhocke: how are you?
JLShortie: doing good = )
JLShortie: u?
JLShortie: so word in the youth group is that you have a girlfriend.
Or this
Pokeyvone: ok so mark I heard you’re dating |
I can’t tell you how many people bitterly IMed me complaining that I didn’t tell them. Let me tell you, the reason I didn’t tell you is because I didn’t know I had one either. Let me again clarify something –NO I don’t have a girl friend –yet. When I get one, I am sure you will all find out. So stop listening to rumors. Honestly, at this juncture in my life, I am talking to the least amount of girls –ever. I go to school with a bunch of pastors in the morning, I work with a bunch of elementary school kids during the day, and I work with a bunch of youth on the weekends. I am not meeting any girls –anywhere, ever. I am happily content in my ministry, and when I find someone whom I feel absolutely smitten with, you will all know.
Now onward to the original discussion, I am 23 and to some people this means that you are married with 2 kids. Thankfully for me –it does not apply yet. But let me share with you a few thoughts that come from the pondering of the girl’s question. Let me paint you a picture of how I view my future family in the light of the great doctrines of grace. Let me show you how theology does not confine you –but frees you.
Doctrine is inseparable with your life. The family is the most intimate structure and framework we have to understand God –we distort it all too often and I am afraid apart from the grace of God, many youth today are lost. This is why it’s Deuteronomic law to teach your children to Love God and to love your children. As a father, I will live in such a way that my kids understand the gospel. All too often Pastor’s kids have it the hardest –in all respects. They hear the message preached; they understand that the bible is family oriented. They understand that the way their father loves and cares for them is the same way in which God loves them. Unfortunately, pastors fail. The father, because it is hard and he is sinful, lives an inconsistent life. He preaches from the pulpit one message and at home lives at another one. And although I am not perfect and I probably will have my moments as a father when I am not going to win “best dad” award, but my time here as taught me –you cannot preach the gospel if your life muffles and does not reaffirm the quality of life that comes from knowing God through Christ.
So, when I get married I, I decided am going to have a daughter. Wife, get ready –it’s going down. We are going to have a daughter. Let me tell you why. She is going to be a blessing in my life and every time I look at her I will understand how God loves me. I will spoil her rotten with all the attention I have to give. She will be the apple of my eye. I will love her and introduce her to God. I will pray with her and teach her the bible. I am going to love my daughter, and I daily pray that I will be a good father and that God is gracious and helps me exemplify the privilege of being a father the way God intends it to be. I can’t wait to be a father. I am going to love my daughter. I am going to hug my daughter tightly every chance I get. I am going to hug my daughter all the time –and I am going to do it especially when it embarrasses her.
Wife, I don’t know who you are yet, but I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you. I know that you will be wonderful. You will be the most beautiful woman on earth. I know wife that you will be a woman of God who has true, inner beauty that does not fade. (Proverbs and 1 Peter) I know that you will love God. You will be a woman who prays because you believe in the power of God not in the limited power of your own hands. I will not cheat on you with anyone or anything. And although my ministry will take much of my time and energy, I understand that if I were to have a growing church but lost my family –I would have lost everything. If you cheat on me I will take you back and I will preemptively do everything in my power to prevent our marriage to getting to that point. I understand that it is going to take work –lots of work, but that is okay because I believe our marriage isn’t just about our immediate happiness but also about our sanctification. Moreover, it is ultimately about glorifying God and we will have fun doing it. Furthermore, since our marriage will be founded on grace we will both understand a marriage like this is possible. Since I understand that knowing God is the greatest good, gift and passion, and since the manner in which I love you helps you understand how God loves you –I will love you like Christ loves the church. I will passionately love you. I will care for you. I will teach you about God, and also exemplify this love in our marriage. I will show you grace and love you even when you are not lovable. And although you may submit to me since you already submit to God, I too will humbly serve and love and sacrifice for you since I too already submit to God. I will love you until I die and keep you sanctified before God. I will help you in your walk and we will walk together –supporting each other. And I will not simply, passively assume you know that I love you. I will, with my life, show you just as God did for us through the cross. Finally, since we don’t begrudgingly serve and know God, but deepen and pursue our relationship with Him out of joy, I will gently take your face in my hand and look in to your eyes and speak with sincere words –until you understand the extent of my love since I enjoy being with you.
Know God; Love God (note: Present Active Imperative)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Allowing us through his life, sacrifice and blood to enjoy Him [God] for all eternity)
- Hebrews 12:2
Life changing books
The Bible (NASB or NIV)
Religious Affections (Jonathan Edwards)
God's Passion For His Glory (John Piper)
Introduction to Old Testament Theology: A Canonical Approach (Dr. John Sailhamer)
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The One about Youth Ministry aka Lighthouse
The 411
Here is a life update. I have been working at church. I intern at Austin Chinese Church with the youth. The fellowship is called Lighthouse. On average there areabout 30-40 consistent kids, but I could be wrong since I never really counted and am totally making the number up. But it looks about right. My co-workers include pastors, deacons, youth directors, other interns and the such. The people I work the most with are Caleb Lai, and Josh and Charmain Chen –and at times, their daughter Madeline (18 going on 19 months). I have to honestly say I love them. They have been my support and family during my stay at lighthouse.I see them daily at the office, and often meetings are held at Josh’s house where Char makes some homemade chicken and her special Canadian “Arby’s sauce” haha. It freaked me out when Josh told Madeline to say hi to “Uncle Mark,” but there is a sense of belonging, and a hint of intimacy. Perhaps this is where God is calling me to community –or at least to remember the warmth to have with my family.
So what do I do al the day? I go into the office Tuesdays through Fridays. During those days, I do various planning, mostly just watch and learn from Caleb and Josh. And though I have been the apprentice, both Josh and Caleb have always treated me with respect and equality –for that I am grateful
Saturdays
On Saturdays we had either dodgeball or home groups. Now this was the summer so normally, in the school year, we meet half the time we do now. I wish I could see the kids more. Anyhow, for the home group times I had the 6th graders. These kids are the most energetic human beings ever to walk the earth. Honestly, I don’t know how they had so much energy and it will remain a mystery until the day I die. Every time I see them they yell out my and hug me –and I love it. Unashamed and unhindered passion and one day if God permits they will love Christ in the very same manner. Moving on, I tried teaching them the lessons and I always found myself explaining things in Star Craft terms, don’t ask me how I did it because I can’t believe I did it myself.
As for dodgeball, it was possibly my favorite thing. Why? Because if any kid caused me grief, I would just nail them in the head. This was not only a time of fun and fellowship –it was therapy; it was cathartic. I thank God for those nights it helped me build relationships with a lot of the guys. Jeff Lee, for one this guy barely talked to me but after owning the 7th graders we bonded and forever we will be friends. Another incident is Tim Man. This guy always got me out. Seriously, every time I got out was because of him. He either caught it or hit me –I really hate you Tim Man. Seriously its hate. One time I pegged him and it deflected off him and then Samuel Chang caught it. I was jumping with euphoria with my victory over Tim when Samuel showed me his prize and the bane of my sorrow –he caught my ball that deflected off of Tim’s face. Dang you. Dang both of you. I would also like to note that whenever its Mando vs Canto and Me we always OWN even though we out numbered 2-1. Sadly, I would always be sore for the next three days. It is my age, yes, and well it never failed that my back and my hips would hurt as well as my shoulder and arm. Basically, I was in pain –but I never regret pwning kids. One time I was cocked back ready to hit Norman, and he was backing up and another kid was also slowly rearing back and then Norman tripped on him and as they fell on each other I hit one of them so hard it bounced up and got the other out. Dodgeball will be in heaven. That was the best moment of my life. Until I get married or have a kid I will assume this to take the number one spot. Wife, you have a lot to live up to.
Sundays
On Sundays I usually wake up –late thanks to dodgeball killing me. And teach a breakout. Now this has varied from the school year and over the summer, now, I taught a guitar breakout. If you forget what it was like. God basically made me eat my words of, “I hope a girl signs up for my guitar breakout. I am sure they want to learn; I bet they are just intimidated.” Let’s just say I ate it –hard. First day and until the end, I had all girls and one guy. And honestly, I know that God taught me a lot about being kind and gentle. 8 girls, talk about trial and tribulations. If you don’t know how much that is let me give you an idea. If eight girls were comparable to a sound, take every alarm clock and every fire and police siren and let it go off in a wooden room and start scratching your nails on a chalkboard. That is how loud it is –that it is how disconcerting it is. And honestly, when they get together –it intensifies. One girl will laugh, and then another will get louder. At times one girl would try and get my attention, and then another girl would start yelling my name louder –this was normally Elaine’s sister Kelly. This was and always seemed to escalate. At times there wouldn’t even be enough guitars, but everyone always seemed to have fun. Sometimes though, some of the girls looked really bored since they were already good. There was one girl, Bella Wu, seriously I don’t know why she was in there because she was already good. Sorry if you were bored. Jennifer Pang, was also good, she also really stretched my manner of teaching and I learned to communicate well with her –I think…. down, up, down, up, up, down… By the way, Jesse said this to me, “You’re intimidating. You’re cool, but still intimidating.” And then she does this little aim face T.T (I don’t know what that is…)
I think God made woman last because he didn’t want to hear her talk for any more days than necessary.
Just playing. Walking away from the breakout, I love all of the girls in my group. They have attended consistently and been kind to me. Sometimes, actually no, all the time they were loud. But they were always smiling and they always treated me well. If I have a daughter, they will be just like the girls I taught. I have become more patient and kind. I have learned to be calm when I am not really feeling like it, because I think the girls were always calm when I was. They are all going to grow up and be heartbreakers. And they are all wonderful and beautiful. If I see any guy mess them I will run them over with my car –twice.
Worship Leading
While working for lighthouse every once in a while, when no one wanted to lead or we would forget to ask someone in time, I would get to lead worship. The very first time I led worship was with Enoch Shih, and Linda Kuo. This was my first time up and I was nervous. They were awesome and put up with me. I got to lead a few more times –and it was solo. I really love leading worship second time around I really relaxed and just played the way I wanted to. I thought it was okay, and I will never forget what someone said. “Thank you for leading worship today, it was the first time I felt like I was led into worship in a long time. I really felt the spirit move.” Those words will be in my heart forever. I led worship a few other times too, and every time I am amazed at the joy I get from it. I remember everything said to me, “I think you should pursue leading worship –I think you are truly gifted.” I am thankful people affirm me and worship with me. It makes me happy when they get something out of it because honestly if I am not leading them into the presence of God they are just in my presence and honestly, that does nothing –for anyone. A simple acoustic guitar and old songs and God worked wonders.
Now I have to digress meeting Enoch and Linda were defining for me. Why? They are the first kids to talk to me. So from then on to their despise I picked on them every time. Fun for me. Thanks for putting up with me Linda.
Family Members: Starting with Enoch Shih
Okay so this kid, every time I learn something new. I have met all his family all 2 parents and 3 sisters but at completely different times –and every time I do, I don’t know they are his family. And when I find out it freaks me out. Partly because I indirectly learn something about Enoch when I learn something about them and then the wheel turns, the light bulb flashes and I get a bigger picture of him and his family. One time I was at a prayer meeting at the office with all the pastors and what not. Then this pastor starts talking, his last name was Shih and I was like… cool. So we shared and prayed and then finally at the end he was like my kids are going to be at retreat. 19 minutes later I realize his son was Enoch. At retreat I meet his youngest sister Eunice. She is quiet but nice. So that left two at large, so I scouted out the second oldest sister, and I started to notice the trend that the Shih family looks a lot alike. And finally at the end of the retreat I realize I had met his oldest sister all along. Dang I suck. Like for real, I suck. And it freaked me out. I thought she was just a counselor from NJ going to A&M. But now I know that Enoch is kind from NJ, and so are his parents. Can we say overwhelming?
The same thing goes for all the families. I learned about Steven Chang –only to learn that he was Vicky’s brother the little girl I taught in a prayer breakout my sophomore year with Nita. It freaks me out when I see Ryan Chan and Warren Chan together –it’s simply too much Chan. And honestly, when I see Janie and Kevin together it really freaks me out. Partly because I found out that Kevin was Janie’s sister about 2 months after I saw him every Sunday for two months. Like really, knowing them separately and then realizing they are related freaks me out. Also, when they are together it is a lot of –Wang. That is all I am going to say. Actually no, I swear they feed off each other’s vibe, so they get progressively more Wang like. Again the same goes fro Peter and Yvonne. Why? Because they are so different –why is Peter so cool? You should of seen what he wrote about his sister and her driving. “for her green means go, and red means go faster….”. Tim Man too –why are you so much different from Oliver. Why? When I first met Kelly, I knew it was Elaine Huang’s sister. Seriously, they are practically… siblings and rightfully so. Let me just finish with Benry and Sherlyn Yip. After meeting this fun guy, he then informs me that his sister, incase her future boyfriend got serious and wanted to know what ring to get her, he could ask Benry. So what does Benry decide to do? He proceeds to inform me that she wants a platinum band, with a princess cut, pink diamond. Thanks for trying to set me up with your sister. Okay I also literally just found out that Oriana was both Olivia’s sister, and Oliver’s brother… why am I last on these things
Overall there are a lot of brothers and sisters, and I always find out –last. But every time I feel like I know them deeper. To some degree I meet a lot of parents first. Like Samantha’s mom, since I work with them. I remember the first time I met Samuel, Daniel, and Ameris’s father –after I talked about the things I would like to see happen with the worship. I am glad that both his kids were worship leaders… Dangit man. Dangit. But I like this family dynamic. I like being random youth intern Mark. I enjoy being Uncle Mark, and I feel like I get a deeper sense of where the UT kids come from.
Sermons
Serving at Lighthouse opened the door for me to speak. Preparing a sermon was awesome –not really. It took about 25 hrs of writing and research. Most of the good points and ideas of my sermon came on Saturday night. There are actually a lot of steps that going into writing the sermon. You have to read the passage a lot, know the context back ground aka research. Have a main point you want to get across. Write it out –everything you are going to say, and have the basic outlines and points highlighted so you can pick up from anywhere. If it wasn’t for Caleb Josh and Gideon I would have been super unprepared. Thanks Brian Lin for calming me down when I realized I didn’t have apple script the night before. Some of the hardest parts for me were making sure that it was focused and clear. My largest fear was simply not being understood. When I gave the sermon I can honestly say I was nervous. I was a wreck. The attendance jumped from about 15 to 50 since all the kids got back from the missions trip.
I don’t know I can remember feeling God’s presence during the sermon itself. And I cannot tell if it was God speaking the whole time. But I know I didn’t follow my notes completely and about 30 minutes in I just started speaking from the hearts and using the slides as markers as to where I was going. I am glad that I took the risk to get away from the notes with the occasional glance at the main points to stay on track. I do think they were extraordinarily valuable though. They help you get started and get warmed up. They keep you going smooth until you get into the passage. Moreover, it helps you process things.
But honestly, I settled in and really enjoyed my time up there. By the end of the sermon I was no longer reading from my notes and speaking from heart. At the end I only think a few kids, most of the older kids knew what I was talking but at retreat a girl came up to me and told me something I will never forget. “Your sermon was really good last Sunday, I didn’t want to tell you at first because I didn’t want you to get proud, but I really got a lot out of it. I wasn’t expecting something so deep because during breakouts you’re so funny, but your sermon was really good.” Honestly, I walked away confident that if anything good came out if it, it would be because God filled me with the Spirit and allowed me to speak. I know it is true, and now it is affirmed. Thank you God for the chance to minister and speak to these kids.
I must say that I did notice that it was a lot of work giving a sermon. Moreover, it was a lot of prayer, a lot of just not knowing what to say or how to say it. There was a lot of spiritual warfare. Thankfully God allows me to serve by grace and not by merit. It really makes me think about the girl I want to marry. I really want to meet someone who cares and is nice and sincere, someone who prays and believes in the prayer, someone who believes in God and Christ –the power of and joy of a relationship as well as someone who understand she struggle of loving God and living the life and chasing after God’s heart. Somehow I want that all in one girl. If I find her, I will let you know. Thanks Yeeland, Grace and Elaine for coming out.
d e a1licious: good job today
d e a1licious: grace thinks so too
gracey 1212: haha, why do I let Elaine speak for me.
gracey 1212: good job mark
thanks guys.
Retreat
Worship was awesome, Good job teams. My cabin was 1337. Oh yea, let’s just put it this way. I have never been dumped with water so many times. I didn’t know what to expect from this retreat. And even walking away from it I still haven’t put it all together. Getting to know the kids and actually knowing the youth make it hard for me to leave. I don’t want to leave. I wish I didn’t have to at times. I love the kids. I love the community.
Even though some of the girls think I am intimidating, everyday at camp, I had water dumped on me –multiple times a day at that. Two days in a row I was pushed into the pool fully clothed. Thanks a lot. By the end of the trip the entire balcony outside our cabin was covered with clothes, all of my clothes. And by the end of the retreat I had no clean or dry clothes. I was dunked twice with my last pair of clothes, thanks Steve and Katherine… Anyhow, I would like to also note, that it wasn’t my fault I kept losing my nametag and booklet –I swear my kids stole them. The worst part about it was that I constantly get punished. So I was always the example of embarrassing punishments in front of the camp. Sigh, I had to dance better than Tim Man, I had to eat really REALLY bad food…
I would also like to note that I can’t play camp games for anything. Little girls would keep beating me and I would have to go in the middle, and every once in a while they would bust out with a random punishment. I had to oink like a pig on all fours, do a dance (again) and do some other embarrassing thing I have chosen to repress. At the end of Screaming Viking, Caleb came up and said, “You’re really bad at games Mark, you were in the middle practically every time. We felt so bad for you we eventually timed the punishments so you weren’t in the middle.” Thanks Caleb. Phil later came up and said, “I really wanted to get you on the last one.” I hate you.
Aside form always having the campers try and play pranks on me and what not, my cabin was the 8th graders. I led with Nathan which I am thankful for because honestly I think he is the voice of reason at times. Why? He was good cop, I was bad cop. Anyhow, my kids were LP (larry pan), Steve Lee (Jeff Lee’s brother), Jimmy Chang, and Michael. The other guys in the cabin were Larry Kung, Willy (William, he was self proclaimed cool), and Mark He. These guys were great. I wish I could be their home group leader until they graduated from high school –thus I cannot. Anyhow, I really enjoyed making them do push ups –this includes the 2 on 7 contest which was awesome, 107-100. Over the time we had together we explained the Gospel, grace, and the prodigal son all in Counter Strike terms. You guys were great. Thanks for being open to the teachings –and push ups. Thanks Steve and Willy for speaking at campfire. I am glad you now believe in God. I would also like to note that I feel no remorse for pushing you in the pool Steve –shoes and all, you too, Melissa, Jesse (2X) and Loris. I would also like to note, Melissa, I NEVER PLAIYED SPEED, DANGIT MAN. Cabin 1337 Jellybeen H4x0l2z you guys were awesome. Camp would have never been the same without you.
Thanks for all the encouragement grams, even James and Patrick. You two sent me 10 encourage grams alone. I basically have three piles: actual encouragement grams, the ones from Patrick and James, and the one from girls asking me out. Let me share with you some of the random notes I got. These are my favorites.
“thanks for getting for getting out of the pool to get the ball” -anonymous
“good job with the kids! Keep it going. I don’t think anyone else has the fire to round up screaming kids. You’re doing a great job” – Hall
“you’re awesome at eating cheerios and ketchup” – Warren
“just thought you should know, you’re funny when you’re mad” –Larry
“the worship at the end of camp fire moved me” – anonymous
“Mark Austin nice dancing” – anonymous
“why is our bible study so good looking” – anonymous, but I am thinking Ryan Chan…
“HI! Bye.” – anonymous
“you’re cool” –Patrick and James
Sometimes I would get some from anonymous girls here is a sample.
“Hey Mark, I think you’re awesome, will you date me” –anonymous
“I heart you” – anonymous
“Please go out with me now” –anonymous
Thanks for the card too.Jessie Wang from New York
top pic: is enoch benry loris and lp -loris this is why you don't play truth of dare
Bottom Pics: top left is me dancing with Tim, top right is me getting owned by cheerios milk and ketchup... and bottom left is me james and patrick flashing random gang signs to confuse everyone (including me) and bottom right is my cabin
Shout Outs and Name Dropping
When I walk in a room or go up to speak at the mic, thanks for always screaming out my entire name and saying hi –just be careful because it gets loud sometimes. Also girls, no more lying to me. If you are twelve it’s okay, you don’t have to tell me you are 14 or 15. STOP TELLING ME YOU ARE SISTERS WHEN YOU”RE NOT… Ameris Ariel Chang and Amber. Bella stop stealing my glasses and sun glasses. Loris thanks for helping me with the canoes, you too Nathan. Benry, Tim, Kevin, Samuel and Warren. You guys are awesome. You are all growing up to me of God. Samuel and Kevin you are becoming awesome lead worshippers. Linda thanks for putting up with me and nice ribbon in your hair…. Jennifer Pang you are possibly the happiest and most bubbly person I have ever met, but it was great having you in my breakout –gigem…= (. Warren, why do all the girls heart you? Enoch, why are you a ladies man? Also sorry about your phone. I don’t know which lady decided to claim you as her own, but your phone paid the price… all $170. Samuel, why do you have child molester sunglasses… too? Benry, you know what it think, you’re a great kid and future leader. No more girls though -seriously. I don’t want a Delilah incident… Tim Man, chest, abs and gluteus right? Sherry and Bella no more getting in my car and honking my horn incessantly. Sherry stop calling me Rebel. Peter Chang you are a baller, and all the moms thought you were pretty in makeup. Jessie and penny, stop being so mean when you play air hockey –don’t be mad that I am better… Willy thanks for walking around with your shorts pulled up to your chest… Steve thanks for stealing my name tag so I would get in trouble I owe you a meal of Hamburger patties, cream puffs, and milk. Oh yea, girls, no more taking random pictures of me –I am not photogenic. Oh yea, one my favorite one liners was when Warren and I were guessing Loris’s weight. I know, big mistake already. I guessed a solid 90 lbs. Warren says 109 and then Loris gives warren the death look. Warren then muttered a quiet, “ounces….109 ounces.” I also thoroughly enjoyed Ameris explaining how she is a gift from God –literally.
top left: Oriana the regulator, nice glasses, top right is sherry flashing gang signs, nice glasses bottom left is of course the wang family... next to them is warren -ryans family -thats a pretty GAY HO looking family and last is my good looking guitar resting from worship
Final Thoughts
Overall I would have to say working for church has really broadened my horizon. Partly I see how the church works –how everything is connected. If something happens with the mandarin service it affects the canto, English and youth. Everything affects everything. Everything is connected –the church is a family. ACC is my family. It really hit me when Madeline started recognizing me and saying hi, it hit me when Josh called me Uncle Mark, it hit me when the church moms kept trying to feed me and give me food to take home, it hit me when I believe that I want my wife to work with me. How can she miss out on this? How can she know me if she doesn’t know the community? How can she not love watching kids love God –know God for the very first time? Thanks Brian for trying to set me up with single girls going to South Western Baptist Theological Seminary next year….
Being on the core team and leading a college fellowship and college bible studies are priceless, but this too is amazing. It is a different joy. Thanks Caleb and Josh for your support. This is the one thing I missed when Nathan Priddy left. For the first time in two years, I had someone calling me asking how I was doing. Making sure that I was prayed for, making sure I was fed, and helping me grow as a man. Josh today called to make sure I got home from retreat okay because he didn’t see me, or he will IM me and ask me how I am doing; Caleb will give me random points and leads with his quiet, NERDY, presence. I respect and admire these two men. One thing, the most important thing I learned walking away from this is that it not just about teaching theology, or knowing theology, but lifestyle. I constantly am striving to live like Christ –too love like Christ because honestly at the end of the day the kids don’t care about your sermons or lessons. They just want to be accepted, known and loved and that is your greatest way to communicate God to them.
“God is love”
- 1 John 4:16
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The One About Advice [Part One]
I know it has been a while, but I guess I would like to pass on some knowledge that someone has given me. It is about women. It came from the wife of a pastor. This is what she said.
“Don’t listen to what we say; listen to what we mean…”
This was confusing at first. Why don’t just say what you mean? I think I figured it out… Now it may appear this entry is for the men, and I am aware that this advice is about women, but I want this entry to be for all the ladies waiting to give their 10 dollars worth of advice. If you are a guy reading this, you should post on the entry below.
Ladies, If there was any advice you could give to men about women –what would it be and why? | | |
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Now guys, I have created a whole entry just for us men. Do note how it is shorter, to the point, simpler, and a whole lot better looking. If you are a girl reading this, you should post on the entry above.
Men, If there was any advice you could give to women about men –what would it be and why? | | |
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